Renewables

EP approves 2030 target of 32% for renewables, 32.5% for energy efficiency, 35% for CO2 emissions cuts for trucks

Photo: Pixabay

Published

November 15, 2018

Country

Comments

0

Share

Published:

November 15, 2018

Country:

Comments:

0

Share

The European Parliament (EP) has approved a binding 2030 target for renewables of 32% and an indicative target on energy efficiency of 32.5% that will play a crucial role in meeting the EU’s climate goals, according to a press release from the EP.

By 2030, energy efficiency in the EU has to have improved by 32.5%, whereas the share of energy from renewables should be at least 32% of the EU’s gross final consumption. Both targets are to be reviewed by 2023. These targets can only be raised, not lowered, the EP said.

EU member states must also ensure that citizens are entitled to generate renewable energy for their own consumption, to store it, and to sell excess production, according to the press release.

By making energy more efficient, Europeans will see their energy bills reduced, and the EU will reduce its reliance on external suppliers of oil and gas, improve local air quality, and protect the climate, the EP said.

Moving towards second-generation biofuels

Second-generation biofuels can play a significant role in reducing the carbon footprint of transport and at least 14% of fuel for transport purposes must come from renewable sources by 2030.

However, first-generation biofuels with a high risk of “indirect land use change” (ILUC i.e. when land is converted from non-crop cultivation – such as grasslands and forests – to food production, which increases CO2 emissions) will no longer count towards the EU’s renewable energy goals from 2030.

EP backs CO2 emissions cuts for trucks

The EP has also backed plans for lorries to cut CO2 emissions by 2030. MEPs adopted a higher target (35%) than the European Commission (30%) for new lorries to reduce the EU’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, with an intermediate target of 20% by 2025.

Manufacturers will also have to ensure that zero- and low-emission vehicles (which emit at least 50% fewer emissions) represent a 20% market share of the sales of new ones by 2030, and 5% by 2025.

Heavy-duty vehicles are responsible for around a quarter of CO2 emissions from road transport in the EU. Without further action, their emissions are expected to grow due to increasing road transport volumes.

Comments (0)

Be the first one to comment on this article.

Enter Your Comment
Please wait... Please fill in the required fields. There seems to be an error, please refresh the page and try again. Your comment has been sent.

Related Articles

Medeja Loncar Siemens sustainable development expenditure investment future

At Siemens, sustainable development is no expenditure but investment in future

07 March 2023 - Circular economy can bring Serbia 30,000 new jobs and increase its economy's competitiveness, CEO of Siemens Serbia Medeja Lončar said

George Papanastasiou New energy environment ministers names unveiled in Cyprus

New energy, environment ministers’ names unveiled in Cyprus

28 February 2023 - Business executive George Papanastasiou is replacing Minister of Energy, Trade and Industry Natasa Pilides

EUSEW Apply include your event in Sustainable Energy Days

EUSEW: Apply to include your event in Sustainable Energy Days

22 February 2023 - Sustainable Energy Days is a set of events from next month to June under the umbrella of the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW)

Serbia public call April first renewable energy auction

Serbia to launch public call in April for its first renewable energy auction

20 February 2023 - After the amendments to the relevant law are passed, the idea is to issue a public call in April for a wind power auction