Press release - January 15, 2010
EU climate and energy ministers meeting at an informal gathering hosted by the Spanish presidency in Seville this weekend will discuss the state of play and new strategies on EU energy and climate policies.
Energy
Ministers will discuss an energy action plan for 2010-2014, defining the next steps the EU will take to modernise its energy supply. They will also debate measures to finance the development of new energy technologies.
"By setting a clear focus on energy savings and supporting the development of a 100% renewable energy supply, EU ministers can kick-start Europe's economy, create millions of green jobs and deliver solutions to tackle climate change. European taxpayers are still footing the expensive bill for oil imports and dirty technologies like coal and nuclear. Ministers can bring this to an end by committing to a cleaner and self-sufficient energy future," said Frauke Thies, Greenpeace EU energy policy adviser.
Climate
Ministers will also discuss EU greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts. Under the non-binding so-called Copenhagen accord, EU member states and other countries have to submit their carbon reduction pledges by 31 January 2010. Greenpeace urges ministers to accelerate the Union's greenhouse gas reduction policies and increase the EU domestic emission reduction target to -30% by 2020.
"The EU's 20% emission cut target is actually so low that the EU would have to try very hard not to meet it. Sticking to 20% emission reductions in the EU is utterly incompatible with the ambitions of the Spanish presidency on renewable energy and economic recovery," said Joris den Blanken, Greenpeace EU climate policy director.