EU preparing to lift 2030 renewables share target to at least 38%

As the EU upgraded its emission reduction goal to 55%, the draft changes to the Renewable Energy Directive envisage an upgrade for the 2030 share of renewables in the energy mix to between 38% and 40%, compared to the current 32% target.

The European Union intends to double the share of renewable sources in its energy mix within the next ten years, according to the proposal for the new Renewable Energy Directive, three years after the last changes. The target is set to be increased to between 38% and 40%, while the goal is now at 32%, Euractiv reported after seeing the draft.

Stricter rules in pipeline for transportation, heating, cooling

The European Commission plans to present the document on July 14 together with the legislation that would implement the European Green Deal. The EU earlier declared it aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by the end of the decade from the 1990 level, compared to the previous 40% goal, and recently agreed the proposed European Climate Law needs to set the path for making the 27-member bloc carbon neutral by 2050.

The European Commission is said to be planning a ban on fossil fuels in the heating and cooling sector

The share of renewables is currently at 20%, which means it would need to be doubled by 2030 to meet the new target. The draft directive sets a binding 1.1 percentage point annual growth in the share of green energy in heating and cooling and a ban on fossil fuels in the sector.

The share in transportation should be elevated to 26% from 14% by the end of the decade, while the level of advanced fuels is boosted to 5.5% from 3.5% with stricter rules for aviation, the report adds.

Environmentalists demand more ambitious policy

The use of stem wood for energy production could be limited, the news outlet reported, prompting a reaction from the European branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature.

“It seems it may finally be dawning on the commission that burning trees in the name of stopping climate change is a really stupid idea. But it’s having to be dragged – kicking and screaming – towards this inescapable conclusion, and is grasping for any arguments it can find against doing the right thing,” said Alex Mason, senior policy officer at WWF’s European Policy Office.

He asserted a cap on stem wood above a certain size might provide some damage limitation but warned that it is insufficient and expressed doubt that it could be controlled.

Miguel Herrero, policy advisor at SolarPower Europe, said the upcoming “fit-for-55” package is a unique opportunity to boost the EU’s climate and energy leadership and be on track for a climate neutral world by mid-century. But he claimed, as quoted in the article, that it must include an ambitious 2030 renewable energy target of at least 45%.