EU states call for 2030 renewable target

The European Union (EU) is being urged to set 2030 targets for the use of renewable energy. Eight EU member states, including France and Germany, have called on the EU to set green energy targets for 2030 as opposed to one blanket goal for reducing emissions. 

The states have broken away from the general consensus for this one target to ask that each country within the EU have a new target for the installation of renewable energy technologies.

Ministers from the eight states sent a joint letter to European commissioner for energy, Gunther Oettinger, and European commissioner for climate, Connie Hedegaard, which urged the European Commission to adopt a new goal for the uptake of renewable energy. 

The letter is the latest step away from the current strategy that has been put in place within the EU, which sees multiple targets for different member states to reach by 2020.

Setting a goal for renewable energy for 2030 would help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by cutting down on countries' dependence on high-emission fossil fuels, which would be beneficial to the fight against climate change. 

It could also help to reduce the amount of fuel countries have to import in order to meet with demand, while also improving economies and boosting the job market, according to the letter that was seen by Reuters.

The ministers from Germany, Ireland, Austria, Denmark, France, Portugal, Belgium and Italy argue that setting such a goal for renewable energy is "crucial" to the industry in terms of providing certainty about the future, helping to bring in more cost-effective investments. 

In 2008 three targets were set by the EU that aimed to see a 20 per cent increase in share of renewable energy, 20 per cent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and a 20 per cent increase in energy efficiency. However, the targets have prompted a number of complaints from governments and the industry, who say that the targets often interfere with each other. 

Many member states - including Poland and the UK - are asking the Commission opt instead for a single emissions reduction goal for 2030, which would mean scrapping the target for an increase in renewable energy. 

It is expected that on January 22nd a proposal will be presented by the European Commission for a single emissions reduction goal for 2030. However, it is possible that further targets will be put in place at a later date.