EU energy and climate goals for 2030
by Tim Willmott : Comments Off on EU energy and climate goals for 2030
On 22 January 2014 the Commission proposed energy and climate objectives to be met by 2030. The objectives send a strong signal to the market, encouraging private investment in new pipelines and electricity networks or low-carbon technologies.
The targets must be met if the EU is to keep its promise to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% by 2050.
What are the objectives?
- 40% cut in greenhouse gas emissions (compared to 1990 levels)
- To achieve at least a 27% share of renewable energy consumption
- Energy efficiency to play a vital role, but no specific target at this point.
Why more objectives?
The EU already has a comprehensive set of energy and climate policies for the period up to 2020. But forecasts looking forward to 2050 suggest that current policies are not sufficient to bring about a sustainable, secure and competitive low-carbon economy and energy system.
Price study
This study into energy prices and costs will:
- help explain context to recent price rises and their impact on energy consumers
- ensure that policy decisions are based on thorough evidence-based economic analyses
- provide an insight into international price developments
How have prices in the EU developed?
From 2008 to 2012 Europe has seen a significant rise in average retail prices for households and industry.
Yet over the same period, wholesale electricity prices fell by one-third and wholesale gas prices remained the same.
The study shows energy prices will keep rising in the short term – mainly due to rising fossil fuel prices and the need for investment in networks and new power generation.
- Household electricity prices have risen by 4% a year, household gas prices by 3% a year – above inflation for most EU countries
- Retail electricity prices for industrial customers have risen by 3.5% a year – but industry retail gas prices have risen by less than 1% a year, below inflation for most EU countries
- Wholesale electricity prices fell by 35-45% over the period
- Wholesale gas prices, despite fluctuations over the five year period, have remained the same.
Documents for download
- Communication “A policy framework for climate and energy in the period from 2020 to 2030” [COM(2014) 15]
[173 KB] - Summary of the impact assessment on energy and climate policy up to 2030 [113 KB]
- Impact assessment on energy and climate policy up to 2030 [2 MB]
- Communication on energy prices and costs in Europe [353 KB]
- Full report on energy prices and costs [5 MB]
- Energy Economic Report
- Guidance to Member States on state intervention in electricity markets
More information
- Climate aspects of the 2030 framework
- Shale gas
- EU Energy, transport and GHG emissions trends to 2050
Article by Tim Willmott
Tim is the creator of sustainapedia.com and heads digital publisher Treading Lightly. His interests include nature and wild places, cooking, film, sport and music. He is a poet, writer and commentator.
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