A New Era for Energy in Europe. London, 23 January 2008. The Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), a leading think tank on environmental research, welcomes the European Commission’s policy package on climate and energy, but we consider that this is only a first step on a long road to delivering what is needed to tackle the problems of climate change.
Jason Anderson, Head of IEEP’s Climate Change Programme, commented that ‘Today a package of legislation was presented by the European Commission that heralds the beginning of a new era in Europe’s relationship with energy. From now on the consideration of climate impacts can no longer be separated from economic and political energy choices’. Jason went on to say that ‘while it is important to have a lead from the EU and national governments, ultimately tackling climate change will require us all to alter our own behaviour. Adequate incentives and information are needed to support this shift.’
Our key comments on the package are:
* The 20 per cent commitment for renewable energy should be regarded as a minimum at best, given that the EU has offered to achieve a 30 per cent reduction by 2020 in international negotiations.
* Biofuel production must not lead to unintended environmental damage or social impacts. Sustainability criteria need to be vigorous and those presented by the Commission are clearly inadequate. However, simply reducing or throwing out the 10 per cent biofuel target is not the appropriate response.
* Any target for biofuels must be accompanied by stringent measures to make vehicles more fuel efficient; it is simply a waste of hard won resources to pour biofuels into inefficient vehicles.
* Business asked for emission trading and lessons from the EU scheme show that it must provide real incentives to reduce carbon emissions.
* Carbon capture and storage has to be made workable if we are to build new coal fired power stations; CCS cannot remain a ‘technology of the future’ while coal power enjoys a renaissance now.
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The Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP) is an independent and influential centre for the analysis and development of policies affecting the environment in Europe and beyond.