EU wants more ambitious targets for renewables and the reduction of the emissions by 2030

The reduction of the greenhouse gas emissions (GES) by 40% under the level from 1990 and a mandatory quota of 27% at the level of the EU for renewable energy are the pillars announced yesterday by the European Commission for the new framework in terms of the climatic changes and the energy, by 2030.

José Manuel Barroso, the president of the European Commission, stated: "The climatic policies are fundamental for the future of our planet, while an energetic policy that is truly European is a key factor for our competitiveness. The simultaneous approach of these two aspects is not contradictory, but on the contrary, leads to a reciprocal consolidation. It is EU's interest to build an economy that creates jobs, that should be less dependent on the imported energy, through an increased efficiency and through resorting to a large extent to unpolluted energy produced on the internal market. An ambitious target of reduction by 40% of greenhouse gas emissions for 2030 is the most effective headstone from the point of view of costs on the way to an economy with low carbon emissions. The target of 27% for the renewable energy is an important signal helping to provide stability for investors, to stimulate the ecological jobs and to assist the security of supply".

Cristian Pârvan, the Secretary General of the Romanian Businesspeople's Association (AOAR), stated that the objective set out by the EU is not achievable: "The politicians leading the EU are in the middle of elections. Reality shows us that we can't talk about a unique policy of the member states. The EU speaks about the reduction of the gas emissions while Germany increases the energy production based on coal, that is the most pollutant. There is no solution for the middle course between the environment requirements and the interests of the industry. There are serious discrepancies between the energetic companies and those from industry, and the EU is doing nothing but to put forth a feeler with different solutions.

According to a press release sent to the editorial office, the framework objective approved yesterday by the EC is to stimulate a continuous progress towards an economy with low carbon emissions and a safe energetic system, that provides energy at accessible prices for all consumers, increases the supply security with energy, reduces the EU dependence on the energy imports and creates new opportunities for growth and jobs.

The report that sets out the framework for 2030 will be under discussion at the highest level, in particular within the European Council and the European Parliament. The report is accompanied by a legislative proposal in terms of a reserve for market stability for the EU scheme for the commercialization of the certificates for emissions (EU ETS) starting with 2021, in order to advance its strength.

The Energy Commissioner, Günther Oettinger, stated: "My objective is to guarantee that energy stays at an accessible price for households and enterprises. The framework for 2030 sets out a high level of ambition in terms of fighting against the climatic changes, but also admits, that this objective must be met with the lowest cost. The internal energy market provides the base for meeting this objective and I shall continue to put efforts towards its completion to use its entire potential. This includes the < europeanization > of the policies in terms of the renewable energy".

The framework for 2030 suggests a new governance scheme based on national plans for a competitive, safe and continuous energy. These plans will be prepared by the member states, based on the future orientations drawn up by the Commission, in line with a common approach that will provide a greater security for investors and a higher transparency, increasing at the same time coherence as well as the coordination and monitoring at the level of the EU. An iterative process between the Commission and the member states will ensure the fact that the plans are ambitious enough such as their coherence and compliance in due time.

The framework is to be analyzed by the European Council within the spring session between 20-21 March.