This week, the European Commission presented its long-expected 2030 climate and energy policy framework, whereby there will be a binding target for GHG emissions, a modest binding EU (but not at the member state level) target for renewable energy and, once again, a non-binding target for energy savings. The purpose behind the policy framework is … Continue reading The European Commission in the news
Category: EU policies
Agreeing on 2030 climate and energy goals proving illusive within European Commission
Reuters news service provided an article in The Guardian about the controversy within the European Commission itself in agreeing on climate and energy goals for 2030. Undoubtedly, the EU wants to be a global leader but there is also the cold reality of trying to re-build momentum in the lagging economy. Can the two be … Continue reading Agreeing on 2030 climate and energy goals proving illusive within European Commission
Focus on 2030: new report and blog by E3G
Ingrid Holmes and Luca Bergamaschi of E3G recently published a briefing report on why energy efficiency is a key component for making the 2030 energy and climate package work. The European Commission is therefore developing a 2030 framework for EU climate change and energy policies following a consultation that took place in 2013. This briefing … Continue reading Focus on 2030: new report and blog by E3G
Where are subsidy policies going?
Following the numbers of the week Agence France Presse writes that the EU is having a re-think about the level of subsidies for renewable energy. Hopefully, whatever happens, there will be a level playing field, as they say. The numbers of the week show the extent of the subsidies for fossil fuels. Last week, the … Continue reading Where are subsidy policies going?
Changes start at DG Energy
Tony Vogel of European Voice writes about big changes at the head of DG Energy Ristori to succeed Lowe as head of energy department European Commission appoints Frenchman to key post. The European Commission has appointed Dominique Ristori of France as the new director-general of its department for energy. He is to take over on … Continue reading Changes start at DG Energy
How energy efficient lighting may shake consumers
As the EU's Ecodesign Regulation requirements continue to escalate, Caroline Hayes reports in LEDs Magazine that LED replacements for mains-voltage halogens may not deliver on consumer expectations on time, while directional SSL lamps are moving faster than the pace of the scheduled phase-out. I was surprised that the Ecodesign regulation was introduced without industry consultation. … Continue reading How energy efficient lighting may shake consumers
Putting environmental requirements on any shale gas development
The German Energy Blog writes about the European Parliament pushing for strict environmental regulations if fracking is to go ahead. No doubt the interest in fracking is such that better policies are certainly required. The European Commission is currently assessing the framework for shale gas production in the EU and may well consider appropriate regulation. … Continue reading Putting environmental requirements on any shale gas development
Number of the week – 70 billion
Reuter's news agency wrote in the Guardian about Germany blocking EU car emissions law. The article goes on that British-based consultancy Cambridge Econometrics researched how much Europe would save on oil imports if the 95 g/km target (which was stopped by Germany) was implemented across the EU fleet. It found the EU as a whole … Continue reading Number of the week – 70 billion
Changing the rules for state aid in the EU could open the door to subsidise nuclear
Barbara Lewis and Karolin Schaps write in Euronews about the controversy that is brewing over the expected changes to EU state aid rules that will open the door for subsidising new nuclear power plants. Picking up the nuclear energy bill divides the EU European Union rules to be published over the coming weeks could … Continue reading Changing the rules for state aid in the EU could open the door to subsidise nuclear
New report from the European Environment Agency: An overview of EU environment policy targets and objectives
European Union legislation has established more than 130 separate environmental targets and objectives to be met between 2010 and 2050. Together, these can provide useful milestones supporting Europe’s transition towards a ‘green economy’, according to a report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The ‘green economy’ has emerged as a priority in policy debate … Continue reading New report from the European Environment Agency: An overview of EU environment policy targets and objectives
