Statement on renewables vote in European Parliament industry committee

11 September 2008

Brussels, Belgium — Greenpeace welcomed today´s crucial vote on renewable energy legislation at the European Parliament as an encouraging step in the right direction. Members of Parliament (MEPs) have demonstrated resolve in supporting the broad uptake of clean renewable energy sources, but are only slowly putting the brakes on the rush towards unsustainable biofuels, the organisation said.

The industry committee of the European Parliament overwhelmingly voted in favour of binding renewable targets for each EU Member State and concrete measures to secure their achievement .(1)

Frauke Thies, Greenpeace EU renewable energy campaigner, said: "An overwhelming majority of MEPs have today supported plans to make the EU´s 20% renewables target a reality and boost the contribution of clean energy in the fight against climate change.

"We are moving closer to the energy revolution in the fight against climate change. It´s now up to member states to seal the deal."

The committee took a critical stance on a sub-target to substantially increase the use of biofuels in road transport until 2020, calling for its profound review in 2014. The large-scale development of biofuels could cause serious negative impacts on the environment and people´s livelihoods, while its benefits to the climate are marginal at best. (2)

"Today´s vote in the Parliament shows that the tide is finally turning against unsustainable biofuels, but we´re not home and dry yet," said Thies.

Notes to Editor

(1) The measures include binding interim targets, provisions easing the access of renewable sources to electricity and gas networks, the streamlining of administrative procedures, and measures to encourage the use of renewable energy for the heating of new buildings. MEPs also voted to allow member states to cooperate to achieve the target, while safeguarding successful national support policies for renewable energy.
(2) The committee also decided that biofuels grown on agricultural land should make up no more than 6% of the 10% target for renewables in the transport sector, with the rest made up of a number of other renewable sources.

Contact information

Mark Breddy
Communications manager
mark.breddy@greenpeace.org
Telephone: +32 2 274 19 03/ Mobile:+32 496 15 62 29
Frauke Thies
EU energy campaigner - renewable energy
frauke.thies@greenpeace.org
Telephone: +32 2 274 1912/ Mobile: +32 477 79 04 15

Press contact

Mark Breddy

Communications Manager

Rue Belliard 199
1040 Brussels
+32 (0)2 274 19 03
+32 (0)496 15 62 29 (mobile)

Latest Reports

See our new report "EU energy [r]evolution". Click on cover image to download pdf file (1MB).

More reports