Time for change?

With the presentation of a wide-ranging package of measures “aimed at combating climate change and reinforcing EU energy security and competitiveness”, last week a “point of no return” – at least in intentions – was reached on the front of energy policy, more than ever at the top of the EU agenda. AMBITIOUS OBJECTIVES. The European Commission has in fact made a series of proposals, supported by documents and studies in the sector, aimed at achieving “objective ambitions”. With particular emphasis, and turning his back on half a century of Community history, the President of the Executive, JOSÉ MANUEL BARROSO , declared on 10 January: “Today marks a decisive change for the Union. Energy policy was one of the key sectors at the dawn of the European project; now we must place it under the spotlight once again. All member states of the EU are suffering the consequences of climate change, the ever-stronger dependency on imported energy and the increase in energy prices. Sustainability, security and competitiveness in the energy sector impose the need for a common European response”. The Executive’s projects include the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, investments to achieve a greater exploitation of renewable sources of energy, and the creation of “a real internal energy market”. In particular, the Commission considers that “by 2020 the industrialized countries ought to succeed in lowering their own emissions by 30%”, while, “to underline its own commitment” in this area, it proposes that the 27 member states should immediately pledge “to lower their greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% by 2020”. RUSSIA, KYOTO AND NUCLEAR ENERGY. In presenting the guidelines for future EU commitment in this sector, Barroso also had to address the problems – much in evidence in the headlines in recent days – of relations with the supplying countries, especially Russia, ecological problems and respect for the Kyoto Protocol, the issues of nuclear energy and renewal sources. The key objective is “to ensure Europe of secure, competitive and lasting energy in the context of climate change, the growth of world energy demand and uncertainties relating to future supplies”. Barroso outlined the geopolitical framework within which the search for a common strategy of the 27 ought to be placed, including the reinforcement of infrastructures and energy networks, the rationalization of consumption, and support for the production of renewable energies. In this regard, STAVROS DIMAS , Commissioner for the Environment, warned that “climate change is one of the gravest threats to our planet” and “must be tackled without any further delay”. As for nuclear energy, Barroso limited himself to recalling that “it represents 31% of the production of electricity in the EU”. But, he added, as for any decision to increase this source, the Commission intends “to limit itself to the facts”, without “adopting any position”, because this decision “is up to member states”. Barroso however observed: “What’s important is advancing towards an economy less dependent on coal”. LONG-TERM STRATEGY. In substance, the Commission proposes to concentrate on some measures, which had already been discussed during the presentation of a similar document last October and to which EU member states need to commit themselves: “the improvement of energy efficiency; the growth of the share of renewable energies; the reinforcement of solidarity between member states, with a long term vision on the development of energy technologies and a renewed emphasis on the security of nuclear energy”; and lastly the need “for the Union to speak with one voice with international partners, including energy producers, importing countries and the developing countries”. Ten measures in all are proposed by the Executive and form part of a long-term “action plan”. They include the creation of an internal gas and electricity market; a report on energy networks in the EU and their possible interconnections; measures relating to industrial production based on fossil fuels; some studies and research on “clean” energies and bio-fuels; and “an assessment of the situation of nuclear energy in Europe”. The Commissioner for Energy, ANDRIS PIEBALGS , comments: “If we take the right decisions today, Europe could lead the world towards a new industrial revolution: the development of an economy with low carbon emissions. Our ambition to create an internal market that works, promote a mix of clean and efficient energies and take the right decisions in the field of research and development will be the factor that determines whether we’ll be in the front line in this new scenario or whether we will follow in the footsteps of others”.