EURELECTRIC welcomes proposed -40% greenhouse gas reduction target for 2030

The European Commission today published first proposals on its 2030 energy and climate policy framework. Most notably, the Commission proposes a binding greenhouse gas reduction target of -40% and consequently a renewables target of 27%. The Commission also published draft legislation for structural reforms of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

EURELECTRIC Secretary General Hans ten Berge made the following statement:

"The current 20/20/20 package has resulted in significant carbon emissions reductions, and has led to further growth, cost reductions and technological development in both renewable generation and energy efficiency. However, it has also resulted in a regulatory jungle of multiple and overlapping targets and instruments. This has had negative impacts on cost-effectiveness.

"We warmly welcome today's proposals. We are pleased to see that the Commission recognises the interactions between different targets and instruments. We acknowledge their intention to reduce complexity and ensure greater cost-effectiveness through more European and market-driven approaches, most notably the ETS.

"EURELECTRIC has repeatedly called on policymakers to strengthen and extend the ETS as the most cost-effective instrument to deliver decarbonisation, including a continued and less costly expansion of renewables. We have also called for an economy-wide, binding 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target of at least -40% compared to 1990.

"Today's proposals - a GHG reduction target of -40%, a renewables target of 27% and a strengthening of the ETS via a reserve mechanism - go in the right direction. Importantly, both 2030 targets are EU-wide, allowing them to be met through a stronger ETS, rather than through a continuation of costly national subsidy schemes. We urge European governments to support the Commission's approach when they meet in the European Council later this year."

The European Commission today also published a study on the drivers of energy costs and prices in Europe. EURELECTRIC's reaction is available here.