Seven years ago, the EU set out an energy and climate change strategy for 2020, which aimed to reduce greenhouse gases by 20%, improve energy efficiency and ensure that one fifth of all energy came from renewable sources. However, it looks like binding national targets on renewable energy are expected to be dropped when the EU set proposals for 2030 targets.
Whilst the renewables target was embraced in countries like Germany, Member States such as the UK and Poland have argued that the target approach restricted them from cutting emissions in a financially efficient way. The UK in particular has lobbied to water down the mandatory 2030 target, claiming it would drive up energy bills.
A spokesperson for the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said, "It makes no sense to impose artificial constraints on how individual countries meet emissions targets. We are determined to keep people's energy bills as low as possible and that means having the flexibility to cut emissions in the most cost effective way."
It is believed that there will be an EU wide target on renewable energy for 2030, but it is not likely to be mandatory.
However, the news has not been welcomed by everyone. Dr Oliver Geden from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs said, "We are moving from an ambitious targets and timetables approach to a classical muddling through approach." He added, "There is not the 'we can change the world' optimism, they are retreating a little."
As well as proposals on renewables targets, the EU is expected to set a more modest carbon emissions cut target as well as set out its thinking on shale gas. The Commission is also expected to outline an effort to reform the EU emissions trading scheme.
