LANGUAGE ON NUCLEAR REMAIN FLUFFY
(651.5781) WISE - The European Commission's 'energy package', adopted and released on January 10, 2007, contains a number of elements, from a roadmap on renewable energy to an assessment of the status of nuclear power in the EU, from measures to strengthen the internal energy market to climate policy. The package's central document, 'An energy policy for Europe', attempts to bring together all the elements and to present a vision for the future of energy in Europe.
In this document, the Commission sets out the objectives of this process, which began officially last year: to increase sustainability, slash Europe's dependence on imported fuels and enhance competitiveness. And although the objectives are ambitious, most environmental organizations all over Europe criticized the Commission for not adopting the measures necessary to achieve them. As Greenpeace said in a press release; it will largely maintain the status quo.
The rhetorics were good though; 'a new post-industrial revlution is needed to get Europe into an era beyond the fossil-fired economy'. It does call for the rest of the 'developed world' to reduce emissions by 30% by 2020, consistent with the 2-degree objective. If the EU is serious about making sure that the 2-degree threshold is not crossed, it should also commit to reducing its domestic greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2020, compared to 1990 levels. This target has already been endorsed by a number of member states (Germany, UK, France, Italy and Sweden). But what goal did the EU set for itself? In the final package the Commission sets a target of 20% reduction by 2020 for the EU member states, in spite of overwhelming scientific evidence suggesting much greater global reductions are necessary.
Renewable Energy
The Commission claims that the energy package will boost investment in renewable energy. Indeed, a substantial increase in renewable energy technologies would match perfectly the objectives of sustainability, security of supply and competitiveness, as set out in the package. The technologies work locally, have almost no impact on the climate system and promote technological development and high-quality jobs in the EU.
EU policy on renewable energy to date
The EU so far had a target for 12% of total energy use to come from renewables by 2010. Two directives are in place, breaking down this target for the two sectors of electricity and transport: Since 2001, the directive for the promotion of electricity from renewable sources of energy sets an EU target of 21% for 2010, broken down into national targets. According to the directive, member states have to implement support policies for renewable electricity. The 2003 biofuels directive for the transport sector sets a target of 5.75% for the share of biofuels in the EU by 2010.
And now…
On renewable energy, the European Commission now has set only an overall target of meeting 20 percent of Europe's primary energy needs from renewable sources by 2020. The target is, although maybe not yet wat is needed, not the problem. In the package the Commission undermines the very system that would help realise the new objectives which is currently functioning successfully: sector-specific support for renewable energy.
Nuclear
Earlier reports that the Commission would articulate new support for nuclear power are not
justified by the documents contained in the energy package.
In the overview document, An Energy Policy for Europe, the Commission states that it plans to
set up a "High Level Group on Nuclear Safety and Security" to "eventually" develop additional EU
rules on these topics. This move appears to be a smokescreen for doing nothing. It also reflects
valid doubts held by the Commission about nuclear power - regarding its true costs, waste
management, weapons proliferation and adverse public and political opinion.
In additional discussion papers the nuclear situation in Europe wil be examined but, as there are too many different positions on nuclear no-one expects real new initiatives on the short term. In European media the fluffy language about nuclear was widely taken as a clear support for a increased role of nuclear in combating climate change.
Now its up to the member states to debate the package in the lead up to the spring European Council, which will adopt a prioritised energy action plan for the next three years.
Sources: Press releases of the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament, Greenpeace International, FOE Europe, all January 10, 2007,
Contact: The Greens/EFA in the European Parliament,
Email: richard.moreoferrall@europarl.europa.eu,
Tel: +32 2 2841667 Fax: 0032 2 2844944
Web: http://www.greens-efa.eu/
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