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GREEN PAPER
Energy Efficiency or Doing More With Less
Brussels, 22.6.2005
COM(2005) 265
| "The Commission wishes to relaunch European Union (EU) action in energy saving using this Green Paper. It invites public authorities to make citizens and businesses more accountable by rewarding energy saving behaviour. Energy efficiency is a major challenge as current developments in energy consumption threaten the environment and the economic growth of the EU. Efforts must be made in the transport, energy production and building sectors in particular."
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GREEN PAPER
A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy
Brussels, 8.3.2006
COM (2006) 105 Final
| "This Green Paper puts forward suggestions and options that could form the basis for a new comprehensive European energy policy. [...]. This Green Paper identifies six key areas where action is necessary to address the challenges we face. The most fundamental question is whether there is agreement on the need to develop a new, common European strategy for energy, and whether sustainability, competitiveness and security should be the core principles to underpin the strategy."
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GREEN PAPER Towards a future Maritime Policy for the Union: A European vision for the oceans and Seas
Brussels, 7.6.2006
COM(2006) 275 final
| This Green Paper aims to launch a debate about a future Maritime Policy for the EU that treats the oceans and seas in a holistic way. It will underline that our continued enjoyment of the benefits that they provide will only be possible through a profound respect for them at a time when their resources are threatened by severe pressures and our increasing technological ability to exploit them. [...] The Green Paper builds upon existing EU policies and initiatives and dovetails with the Lisbon Strategy. It seeks to strike the right balance between the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.
The Green Paper also hopes to contribute to a new awareness among Europeans of the greatness of their maritime heritage, the importance of the oceans in their lives and their continued potential to provide us with increased wellb eing and economic opportunity."
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Action Plan For Energy Efficiency: Realising the Potential
Brussels, 19.10.2006
COM (2006) 545 final
| "This Action Plan outlines a framework of policies and measures with a view to intensify the process of realising the over 20% estimated savings potential in EU annual primary energy consumption by 2020.
The purpose of this Action Plan is to mobilise the general public, policy-makers and market actors, and to transform the internal energy market in a way that provides EU citizens with the most energy-efficient infrastructure (including buildings), products (including appliances and cars), and energy systems in the world.
The objective of the Action Plan is to control and reduce energy demand and to take targeted action on consumption and supply in order to save 20% of annual consumption of primary energy by 2020 (compared to the energy consumption forecasts for 2020). This objective corresponds to achieving approximately a 1.5% saving per year up to 2020.
In order to achieve substantial and sustainable energy savings, energy-efficient techniques, products and services must be developed and consumption habits must be changed so that less energy is used to maintain the same quality of life. The Plan sets out a number of short and medium-term measures to achieve this objective.
The Action Plan runs for a six-year period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2012. The Commission considers this timeframe to be sufficient to adopt and transpose most of the measures it proposes. A mid-term review will be carried out in 2009."l | Go to document
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An Energy Policy For Europe
Brussels, 15. 1.2007
COM (2007) 1 Final
| Central to the proposals is a binding target to slash the EU's greenhouse gas emissions by 20% in 2020 compared with 1990 levels.
At the international level, the Commission proposes that member states endorse an EU objective of 30% reduction in greenhouse gases by developed nations by 2020.
To achieve these objectives, Brussels proposes:
- Completing the internal market for electricity and gas;
- a 20% target for renewables in the EU's overall energy mix by 2020 (current target is 10% for 2010);
- an obligation for each member state to have 10% biofuels in their transport fuel mix by 2020;
- saving 20% of total primary energy consumption by 2020, an objective already expressed last year in an energy efficiency action plan. New initiatives here include proposals for an international agreement on energy-efficiency standards in appliance-producing countries;
- aiming towards "a low CO2 fossil fuel future" with support for 'clean coal' technology , using carbon capture and storage deep underground. "Coal and gas account for over 50% of the EU's electricity supply and will remain an important part of our energy mix," the Commission said;
- developing a common external energy policy to "actively pursue Europe's interests" on the international scene with major supplier, consumer and transit countries, including Russia;
- developing a European Strategic Energy Technology Plan to focus R&D efforts on low carbon technologies, and;
- on nuclear, the Commission chose to take an "agnostic" stance, leaving it up to member states to decide.
However, member states would be given the flexibility to decide how best to achieve the overall target on renewables, in order to take account of specific national circumstances. And a specific objective for electricity produced form renewables, which an EU directive currently sets at 21% by 2010, has been dropped in the Commission plans.
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Renewable Energy Road Map.
Renewable Energies In The 21st Century: Building A More Sustainable Future
Brussels, 10.1.2007
COM (2006) 848 final
| With this Road Map the Commission sets out an important part of its strategic vision for the energy future of Europe. It seeks to significantly accelerate the growth in renewable energy, and proposes that the EU achieve a contribution of 20% of its energy
mix from renewable energy sources by 2020. The Commission requests the
Spring Council and the European Parliament to endorse this target. This
will require a substantial strengthening of the EU regulatory
framework. Most importantly, the Commission is convinced that a legally
binding target for the overall contribution of renewables to the EU's
energy mix plus mandatory minimum targets for biofuels are now called
for. This policy will be a major step along the road to sustainability.
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Towards a European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan)
Brussels, 10.1.2007
COM (2006)847 Final
| This communication presents a "vision of a European Union with a thriving and sustainable economy, with world leadership in a diverse portfolio of clean, efficient and low-carbon energy technologies as a motor for prosperity and a key contributor to growth and jobs. A European Union that has grasped the opportunities lying behind the threats of climate change and globalisation and that
it is ready to contribute to the global energy challenge, including increasing access to modern energy services in the developing world."
"The broad technology portfolio approach spreads risk and avoids locking-in to technologies that may not provide the best solution in the long run. The portfolio includes existing technologies that can be deployed immediately, technologies where incremental improvements are needed, technologies where breakthroughs are required, transition technologies and technologies which necessitate major changes to existing infrastructures and supply chains. All of these technologies face different challenges and barriers and are likely to be brought to commercialisation within different time horizons.
Creating the framework conditions and incentives for the development and take-up of energy technologies is a matter of public policy. A whole range of instruments is available at European and national level to help accelerate technology development (technology push) and the market introduction process (demand pull)."
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An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union
Brussels, 10.10.2007
COM(2007) 575 final
| "The Commission proposes an Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union, based on the clear recognition that all matters relating to Europe's oceans and seas are interlinked, and that sea-related policies must develop in a joined-up way if we are to reap the desired results."
The Commission reaffirms its central goal of creating optimal conditions for the growth of maritime sectors and coastal regions, while ensuring that the objectives of EU environmental legislation – and in particular those of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (Directive 2008/56/EC) of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive), OJ L 164 of 25 June 2008– are met.
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An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union
ENERGY POLICY AND MARITIME POLICY: ENSURING A BETTER FIT
Brussels, 10.10.2007
SEC(2007) 1283
| "This Commission Services Working Document, prepared in the context of the package on maritime policy, looks at the connections and synergies between Europe's energy policy and maritime policy. The scope for synergy between these two policies is wide and is likely to increase in the very near future. Europe's energy situation and policy imply more reliance on oceans, seas and ports. Firstly, maritime transport of energy in European waters (oil and gas tankers, undersea pipelines and electricity interconnectors, ) is projected to grow considerably in the next years, with the development of the internal energy market, the growth in global energy trade and European imports, and the development of offshore energy technology and resources. Secondly, marine energy resources, both fossil and renewables, will be important in the diversification of Europe's energy supply3.
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European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan)
'Towards a low carbon future'
Brussels, 23.11.2007
COM(2007) 723 final
| "The transition to a low carbon economy will take decades and touch every sector of the economy, but we cannot afford to delay action. Decisions taken over the next 10-15 years will have profound consequences for energy security, for climate change, for growth and jobs in Europe."
The plan proposes to deliver the following results: (i) a new joint strategic planning, (ii) a more effective implementation, (iii) an increase in resources, and (iv) a new and reinforced approach to international cooperation.
Harnessing technology is vital to achieve the Energy Policy for Europe objectives adopted by the European Council on 9 March 2007 (adoption of the “Energy Package”). To meet the targets, we need to lower the cost of clean energy and put EU industry at the forefront of the rapidly growing low carbon technology sector. In the longer term, new generations of technologies have to be developed through breakthroughs in research if we are to meet the greater ambition of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 60-80% by 2050.
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20 20 by 2020. Europe's climate change opportunity
Brussels, 23.1.2008
COM(2008) 30 final
| The communication calls for
"A reduction of at least 20% in greenhouse gases (GHG) by 2020 – rising to 30% if there is an international agreement committing other developed countries to "comparable emission reductions and economically more advanced developing countries to contributing adequately according to their responsibilities and respective capabilities".
" A 20% share of renewable energies in EU energy consumption by 2020."
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Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Brussels, 17.06.08
Directive 2008/56/EC
| "This Directive establishes a framework within which Member States shall take the
necessary measures to achieve or maintain good environmental status in the marine environment by the year 2020 at the latest."
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A European Strategy for Marine and Maritime Research
A coherent European Research Area framework in support of a sustainable use of oceans and seas
Brussels, 3.9.2008
COM(2008) 534 final
| "A large number of marine and maritime research activities are ongoing in the EU; these efforts need to be coordinated in the most efficient way.
Maritime-related knowledge and innovation requires an integrated approach to cope with complexity. Integrated and dynamic European research is required to solve complex issues and to find coherent solutions for exploiting all the economic potential of the seas within an ecosystem-based approach."
The aim of the strategy is to propose the means to create a better integration between marine and maritime research, the focus of the communication will be on improving interactions between marine and maritime research rather than specifically addressing well established research sectors. The proposed Marine and Maritime Research Strategy is consistent with, and forms part of, the wider ERA policy development. It has a fundamental role to play in European research policy, because it represents one of the first attempts to fully establish ERA within a research sector, in a process initiated in Galway (cfr Galway Declaration)
The strategy also highlights the need for increased research to better understand the complexity of ocean systems and the role of oceans in climate change.
The strategy must now be approved by national governments and MEPs. The Commission is expected to hand in its first report on its implementation in 2012.
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Second Strategic Energy Review
AN EU ENERGY SECURITY AND SOLIDARITY ACTION PLAN
Brussels, 13.11.2008
COM(2008)781 final
| The Second Strategic Energy Review seeks to address security of energy supply and set out policy priorities in the field of energy for the next Commission.
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Climate-Energy Legislative Package
| The new directive will provide a stable policy framework and create investors confidence. For the first time, each member state has a legally binding renewables target for 2020 along with a clear trajectory to follow. By June 2010 the member states will draw up National Action Plans detailing the way in which they will reach the targets. The European Commission will assess the National Action Plans and the Member states will report every 2 year on the progress made.
As a key principle, the 20 % overall renewables target will be broken down into legally binding national targets, priority access to the electricy grid, the option of using flexibility mechanisms and the streamlining of administrative procedures.
Other measures include administrative procedures (each Member state will have to ensure that the procedure for authorizing renewable energy projects is proportional, necessary and transparent), grid access (EU member states must ensure that transmission system operators and distribution system operators guarantee the transmission and distribution of renewable electricity and provide for either priority access or guaranteed access to the grid), EU support for financing renewable energy projects ( in 2009 the European Commission will publish a plan on the optimization of using the EU structural funds, the framework programmes for energy, the European Investment Bank funds and other public finance institutions towards stimulating the development of renewable energies. It will stimulate better access to risk capital and approved coordination of Community and National funding and has a potential to favorably impact resources available for ocean energy), Renewable Energy Roadmap for the post-2020 period: the European Commission will publish, by 2018, a Renewable Energy Roadmap for the post2020 period. Thus ensuring that the stable regulatory framework continues after the expiration of the REs- e Directive
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The work of the European Ocean Energy Association is partly funded under the 6th Framework Programme.