European Commission proposes renewable energy, GHG reduction targets
In January, the European Commission proposed new clean energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction objectives. The proposal calls for a GHG reduction of 40 percent below the 1990 level by 2030 along with a European Union-wide 27 percent target for renewable energy.
The new targets aim to build on previously established targets that are to be attained by 2020, including a 20 percent GHG reduction goal, 20 percent renewable energy goal and 20 percent energy efficiency improvements goal.
The U.K.-based Renewable Energy Association has spoken out to criticize what it calls a “lack of ambition for renewable energy” in the proposal, noting it sets no specific targets for EU member states. The REA also noted that the proposal indicates the renewables target would be ensured by a new governance system based on national energy plans, but that the U.K. government has been pushing for a technology-neutral approach that downplays the role of renewables.