EU could retake climate leadership under new EP plan to boost renewables, Greenpeace

17 May 2017
by greenpeace -- last modified 17 May 2017

A new plan by key members of the European Parliament would help the EU retake global leadership on climate change, just as the US dithers on its commitments under the Paris climate agreement, said Greenpeace.

In a response to a draft EU energy law by the European Commission, the MEPs leading on the file for the Parliament, Claude Turmes and Michele Rivasi, said the EU should produce 45 per cent of its electricity from renewables by 2030. The Commission's draft of the 'Governance of the Energy Union Regulation' – one of a package of EU policy proposals on energy – suggests a 27 per cent target.

Sebastian Mang, climate & energy policy adviser with Greenpeace EU, said: "National governments and the Commission have so far failed to back up promises made in Paris with decisive action. The Parliament's plan would set the EU on the necessary path towards 100 per cent renewable energy, and is the first sign that Europe will rise to the challenge of climate change. The EU must reclaim the mantle of world leader on climate change, as the new US administration dithers on climate action."

The Parliament plan will be submitted to the industry and energy committee on 21 June. On 4 September, MEPs on the committee will discuss and amend the response. The committee is expected to vote on the final plan on 11/12 October, before a final plenary vote around the end of the year.

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