08/03/2006 - Brussels, Belgium – The energy
strategy for Europe presented today by the
European Commission is guided only by concerns
on security of supply, but lacks a long-term
vision for a sustainable and efficient use
of resources, says WWF, the global conservation
organisation. The “Green Paper on a European
strategy for secure, competitive and sustainable
energy for Europe” mentions six priority areas
to face increasing energy demand: energy policy
in EU external relations, energy mix, internal
supply, climate change, technology and innovation,
jobs and growth.
Whilst including a good analysis of the energy
challenges that Europe must face in the coming
years, the paper does not properly address
climate change in a wider perspective. It
is particularly weak on energy efficiency
and renewable energies, as it does not call
for targets, nor for strengthened legislation.
“Gas and oil prices are likely to remain
high, therefore a share of 25 per cent of
renewable energies is economically desirable
and easily achievable in the EU by 2020. Yet,
when talking about investments, the EU still
seems to give priority to traditional sources,
such as coal and gas that are neither economically
nor environmentally sustainable”, says Stephan
Singer, Head of European Climate and Energy
unit at WWF.
“It is not by building new pipelines across
the continent that the problems of energy
supply and climate change will be solved.
What Europe needs from the EU Commission is
a long-term vision, with clear guidance on
action to boost energy efficiency and renewable
energies”.
According to WWF, two opportunities to adopt
strong EU legislation on energy efficiency
were lost last year, when the directives on
electricity-consuming products and on energy
services failed to include mandatory targets
to be achieved by Member States.
As today’s paper will be discussed by the
EU Energy Council on 14 March, WWF asks EU
Ministers to adopt a strong energy efficiency
target for the EU in order to cut energy consumption
by at least 1 per cent per year across all
economic sectors, including transport and
housing.
Note:
• The “Green Paper on a European strategy
for secure, competitive and sustainable energy
for Europe” will be discussed by the EU Energy
Council on 14 March and by EU Heads of State
and Government meeting at the European Council
in Brussels on 23-24 March. |
