MEPs press for EU 20

MEPs press for EU 20% renewable energy target by 2020

Brussels (Platts)--2Apr2004


The European Union should set itself a target for renewables to provide 20% of
EU energy demand by 2020, members of the European parliament said late
Thursday. MEPs adopted a resolution urging the European Commission and member
state governments to start the process of setting "ambitious, timetabled
targets" for renewables ahead of the June 2004 international renewables
conference in Bonn. MEPs also want the EC and member states to prioritize
access to sustainable energy in their policies to reduce poverty, and to ask
financing institutions, such as the EIB, EBRD, World Bank and national Export
Credit Agencies, to prioritize renewables and energy efficiency projects. MEPs
want the EC to develop a regulatory framework to boost renewable energy
markets, and also to overcome administrative and trade barriers by strictly
enforcing regulations at local, national and EU level. MEPs also want the EC
to review urgently energy sector subsidies, and for member states to promote
the use of biofuels, particularly in public transport.