European Green Growth Group Ministers from 13 EU countries have called on the European Council to agree on the core elements of a climate and energy framework for 2030, with a minimum renewables generation target of 27% and domestic greenhouse gas target of at least 40%.
In a joint statement on the EU’s climate and energy framework for 2030, the Ministers said the European Council should urgently agree an ambitious and cost-effective 2030 climate and energy framework, including a binding domestic greenhouse gas target of at least 40%. In their view delay risks undermining commercial sector confidence, deferring critical energy investments, increasing the cost of capital for these investments, and undermining momentum towards a global climate deal.
The Ministers also want the Council to agree on a binding EU renewables energy target which should not be translated into binding national targets by the EU, leaving greater flexibility for Member States to develop their own renewable energy strategies. The EU target should be at least 27 %.
The Statement says that improved energy efficiency makes an essential contribution to all of the major objectives of EU climate and energy policies and urged the Council to address energy efficiency as part of the 2030 framework after the mid-2014 review of the Energy Efficiency Directive
Warning that the EU Emissions Trading Scheme continued to require “urgent and significant strengthening”, the Ministers said that a well-functioning EU ETS is the cornerstone of a cost-efficient decarbonisation strategy and for unlocking low carbon investment.
The ministers concluded by calling on the European Council to ensure the 2030 policy framework re-energises the drive to complete the internal energy market in order to maximise the cost-efficiencies resulting from increasing market integration and interconnection, facilitate the increase of low carbon generation and increase Europe’s energy security.
The Green Growth Ministers, including the UK, said that the Council’s decisions would equip the EU with clear objectives prior to the climate summit in September.
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