Energy UK opposes national EU 2030 renewable targets

• 10 years ago (2014-03-13)
• Junior Isles

Europe 1089

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The trade association for the UK energy industry, Energy UK, has called on the British government to block plans to set a legally binding EU 2030 renewable energy target.

Energy UK has set out its members opposition to binding national targets for renewables in a letter to British Prime Minister Prime Minister David Cameron, branding them as “inappropriate“ in denying individual countries the flexibility to meet greenhouse gas reduction in as cost-effective a manner as possible.

Despite this, Energy UK said it did support a binding EU-wide greenhouse gas reduction target of 40 per cent.

“With both households and businesses having the affordability of energy at the top of their agenda, it is vital that the UK government makes sure that the EU focuses on this aspect properly. Continuing to take a sensible and pragmatic approach to EU targets for the future is the best way to bring this about,” said Energy UK’s chief executive Angela Knight.

“The EU’s landmark proposals on climate and energy issues ‘2030 Framework’ sets out an all-encompassing 10-year vision for how the EU will deal with the energy and climate challenges we face. There is welcome agreement on the 40 per cent reduction target for greenhouse gas reductions. The industry believes not setting binding renewables or energy efficiency targets is the right approach,” she continued.

The letter also revealed Energy UK feels that Europe should move towards a technology-neutral approach to emissions reduction, “providing a level playing field for all low carbon technologies”.