Media briefing: draft EU plan misses out on huge potential to cut energy imports, report

Ambitious climate and energy targets could cut imports by 45 per cent more than Commission plans by 2030

Publication - June 25, 2014
Strong EU commitments on renewable energy and energy efficiency could reduce the need for imports by 45 per cent by 2030 compared to the EU’s existing plans, according to a new report released today. The report comes as EU leaders prepare to meet on 26 and 27 June to grapple with Europe's dependence on energy imports and to prepare the ground for new climate and energy policies for the next decade.

So far, the EU has largely dealt with energy security and climate-related energy concerns as separate issues.

The Greenpeace report, A roadmap towards a sustainable and independent energy supply for Europe, shows that the two issues are inextricably linked, as 2030 targets have the potential to drastically reduce fossil fuel imports from Russia and elsewhere.

The Greenpeace report is based on research by DLR, the German Institute of Technical Thermodynamics, which develops two energy scenarios: Greenpeace’s Energy [R]evolution scenario and a scenario based on the Commission’s 2030 plan. It shows that energy imports would remain high under the Commission’s proposed 2030 targets.

For more information on the Greenpeace report click here.

Contacts:

Sven Teske – Greenpeace International senior energy expert and lead author of the report: +49 (0)171 8787552,

Franziska Achterberg – Greenpeace EU energy and transport policy director: +32 (0)498 362403,

Greenpeace EU press desk: +32 (0)2 274 1911,

 

For breaking news and comment on EU affairs: www.twitter.com/GreenpeaceEU

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