14 September 2022 - Following European Commission President von der Leyen’s State of the Union speech, the European Parliament adopted their position on two key energy related files of the Fit for 55 Package, the Renewable Energy Directive and Energy Efficiency Directive.
The vote took place in the context of energy prices reaching record heights and ongoing debate on how to reduce energy dependency from Russia. MEPs agreed on ambitious targets, including a target of at least 45% gross final consumption of renewable energy by 2030. CLG Europe welcomes the level of ambition set by the European Parliament given the strategic role of renewable energy and energy efficiency in addressing the current energy crisis and achieving a climate neutral EU. However, it remains paramount to ensure that the Renewable Energy Directive remains consistent with the need for the EU to phase out fossil fuels, fossil fuel investments and fossil fuel subsidies.
Ursula Woodburn, Head of EU Relations, CLG Europe said:
“The level of ambition that the European Parliament has set today on the Renewable Energy Directive and Energy Efficiency Directive is a necessary step in the right direction. Energy efficiency and renewables should be at the heart of the EU’s policies to tackle today’s multiple challenges, including the climate and energy crises.
This ambition should go hand in hand with supporting the most vulnerable through measures that can unlock social benefits, including the reduction of energy bills, and address energy poverty, a matter of utmost urgency. The measures that will be announced this afternoon to address the energy prices should protect the most vulnerable households and businesses, boost efforts to move away from fossil fuels and increase the resilience of European industries.’’
