Australia proposes emissions trading scheme by mid‐2015

On 10 July the Australian government announced its plan to introduce an emissions trading scheme, covering 60% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions and expected to cut emissions to 5% under 2000 levels by 2020. “There are some positive announcements for the stationary energy industry, but risks remain for the stable, competitive delivery of secure energy supplies,” commented Brad Page, CEO of the Energy Supply Association of Australia (esaa). The proposal is expected to go to parliament next month, and a final vote could be held in November.

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Related links:

• Australian Government
• Energy Supply Association of Australia

A more stringent 2020 GHG target for Europe: game over?

On 5 July the European Parliament voted against an own‐initiative report calling for the EU to adopt a unilateral 30% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2020. The vote came several days after the impasse in the Council of Ministers, where the adoption of the conclusions on the 2050 low‐carbon roadmap was blocked because it made reference to a possible 25% emission cut by 2020. Is it time for the EU to move beyond the 2020 horizon?

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Related link: European Parliament

Energy ministers on the energy efficiency plan: a perfect example of Council and Commission speaking different languages

On 10 June, while the European Commission was in the final stage of drafting the proposal for a new Energy Efficiency Directive (presented on 22 June), the Energy Council adopted its conclusions on the Energy Efficiency Plan, published in March. Rarely have the two EU institutions been so close in time in adopting documents so distant in content. The key points of divergence are highlighted below.

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Related links:

• Council conclusions
• European Commission - Energy EFficiency Plan

Proposed energy efficiency directive should support market‐based approach, Eurelectric urges

The European Commission on Wednesday released its proposal for an Energy Efficiency Directive, following its communication earlier this year. The proposal foresees no binding targets for member states yet, but many binding measures directly affecting the electricity sector, with national obligation schemes and compulsory combined heat and power on all thermal power plants as default options. Derogations are however foreseen, which might allow member states to adopt a more flexible and pragmatic approach.

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Related links:

• European Commission
• EURELECTRIC Press Release

Should the European Union move beyond 20% GHG emission reductions by 2020?

One year ago, on 26 May 2010, the European Commission published a communication analysing the implications of moving from the current 20% reduction target for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to a target of 30%. It also reassessed the risk of carbon leakage. The communication started a long debate within the European institutions on the appropriateness of moving beyond the 20% target – a debate that is still going strong one year later.

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Related links:

• European Commission
• European Parliament
• Council of the EU

IEA paves the way for dramatic CO2 and energy savings in the buildings sector by 2050

On 16 May the International Energy Agency (IEA) released a new report, Energy‐efficient Buildings: Heating and Cooling Equipment, showing how energy‐efficient technologies for heating and cooling, emitting little or no carbon dioxide, can dramatically reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions within residential, commercial and public buildings. Savings in OECD countries are estimated at up to 710 million tonnes oil equivalent (Mtoe) of energy and 2 gigatonnes (Gt) of CO2 emissions by 2050. Key technologies will primarily be solar thermal, heat pumps, thermal energy storage, and combined heat and power (CHP).

 

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Related link: IEA report

Energy Efficiency: survey among electricity companies reveals strong interest but persisting barriers

Following its recent call to boost the market for energy efficiency services, EURELECTRIC today published the results of a survey on energy efficiency services, carried out among 170 electricity companies across Europe. The survey assesses the degree of activities that electricity companies provide to their customers, the barriers that companies face and the opportunities that might arise.

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Related links:

• The Promotion of Energy Efficiency Services – A survey among electricity companies
• EURELECTRIC Policy Paper on Energy Efficiency

Energy Efficiency: new Commission plan released

Member states are not on track to meet the EU’s 2020 energy efficiency target. This is one of the main conclusions of the Commission communication “Energy efficiency plan 2011”, published on 8 March. Measures to fill the gap would address the public sector, buildings, industry and the energy sector. No legally binding targets will be proposed yet, but the Commission might reconsider its position in 2013 if progress is deemed to be unsatisfactory. EURLECTRIC reacted to the plan by publishing its own policy paper on energy efficiency.

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Related links:

• European Commission
• EURELECTRIC Policy Paper on Energy Efficiency

Roadmap 2050: European Commission paves the way for EU low‐carbon economy

On 8 March the European Commission adopted the ‘Road map for building a competitive low‐carbon Europe by 2050′. The roadmap identifies the optimal way for the EU to domestically reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Though not legally binding, the roadmap sets interim targets for 2030 (‐40%) and 2040 (‐60%), while the 2020 target could be overshot by meeting the current 20% energy efficiency target.

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Related link: European Commission

Roadmap 2050: leaked commission draft sets milestones for EU low‐carbon economy

On 8 March the European Commission is scheduled to publish a communication paving the way for a low‐carbon economy in 2050. A leaked draft indicates that, in order to be on track with the overall EU objective to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 in the range of 80 to 95% compared to 1990 levels, a cost‐effective and gradual transition would require a 40% domestic reduction of GHG emissions compared to 1990 as a milestone for 2030, and 80% for 2050. Major reductions would come from the power sector, ranging between 54% to 68% by 2030 and a massive 93% to 99% by 2050 compared to 1990.

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Related link: European Commission