EU parliament backs 2020 renewable energy target

11 September 2008 15:12  [Source: ICIS news]

PARIS (ICIS news)--The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly on Thursday in favour of binding renewable energy targets for EU member states.

The vote will ensure that at least 20% of the bloc’s energy usage comes from renewable sources by 2020.

The Parliament’s industry and energy committee (ITRE) adopted a compromise report by German Green MEP Claude Turmes, which included binding interim targets and provisions easing the access of renewable sources to electricity and gas networks.

MEPs also voted to allow member states to cooperate to achieve their national targets and to safeguard successful national support policies for renewable energy.

"Today we have voted to put renewable energy first in Europe,” said Turmes.

Greenpeace said the vote was “an encouraging step in the right direction”.

“We are moving closer to the energy revolution in the fight against climate change," said Frauke Thies, Greenpeace EU renewable energy campaigner. "It’s now up to member states to seal the deal."

Turmes said it was imperative that a final deal was agreed this year before preparation begins for the UN climate talks in Copenhagen in 2009.  

Bookmark Simon Robinson’s Big Biofuels Blog for some independent thinking on biofuels

To discuss issues facing the chemical industry go to ICIS connect

By: Philippa Jones
+44 20 8652 3214

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly