(EUROPE)
The European Commission has outlined ambitious proposals to help accelerate the transition to clean energy – which it labels the growth sector of the future.
Announced on 30 November, the Commission’s ‘Clean Energy for All Europeans’ initiative has three main goals: ‘putting energy efficiency first, achieving global leadership in renewable energies and providing a fair deal for consumers’. The Commission is striving for the European Union (EU) to lead the clean energy transition and it has committed to slash CO2 emissions by at least 40% by 2030.
Over 300 billion euros was invested in clean energies last year. The EU wants to harness its research, development and innovation policies to transform the transition into a massive industrial opportunity for the continent. So from 2021 it will mobilise up to 177 billion euros of public and private investment per year in a move it believes will generate an additional 1% increase in GDP over the next 10 years and create 900,000 new jobs.
The Vice-President for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič said the “package will boost the clean energy transition by modernising our economy.”
He continued: “Having led the global climate action in recent years, Europe is now showing example by creating the conditions for sustainable jobs, growth and investment. These proposals touch upon all clean energy related sectors: research and innovation, skills, buildings, industry, transport, digital, finance to name but a few. These measures will equip all European citizens and businesses with the means to make the most of the clean energy transition.”
Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete added: “Our proposals provide a strong market pull for new technologies, set the right conditions for investors, empower consumers, make energy markets work better and help us meet our climate targets. I’m particularly proud of the binding 30% energy efficiency target, as it will reduce our dependency on energy imports, create jobs and cut more emissions. Europe is on the brink of a clean energy revolution. And just as we did in Paris, we can only get this right if we work together. With these proposals, the Commission has cleared the way to a more competitive, modern and cleaner energy system. Now we count on European Parliament and our Member States to make it a reality.”
The Clean Energy for All Europeans legislative proposals cover ‘energy efficiency, renewable energy, the design of the electricity market, security of electricity supply and governance rules for the Energy Union. In addition the Commission proposes a new way forward for Ecodesign as well as a strategy for connected and automated mobility’.
