European nations are leading the way when it comes to making the transition to a renewable energy future, and EU laws can best drive such a transition, say Green MEPs.

The UK’s three Green MEPs, Jean Lambert, Molly Scott Cato and Keith Taylor, point to examples in the EU where an energy transition is well under way and how EU laws and targets are helping push the transformation. In particular the Renewable Energy Directive that has set a binding target of 20% of final energy consumption to come from renewable sources by 2020.

Examples this month include Portugal, where the country ran for four days on renewable energy alone and Germany which achieved a 95% share of renewable energy on one day, breaking their previous record of 70-80% last year. Meanwhile Sweden is rapidly moving towards phasing out fossil fuels completely and with over half its energy needs being met by renewables, leads the pack in terms of proportion of energy obtained from renewables. The UK by contrast is fourth from bottom of EU countries, achieving just over 5% renewable power in 2013-14 [4].

Keith Taylor, Green MEP for the South East and a member of the European Parliament’s environment committee, said:

“What we are seeing across Europe, especially in Portugal and Germany, is evidence, should we need any more, that while the EU is driving the low carbon energy transition, our Conservative government is actively committing Britain to an energy industry rooted in the last century.

“Only a few days after it was announced Portugal was running on entirely renewable energy, a Tory council in North Yorkshire signalled the country was ‘up for shale’ by approving the first application for fracking in five years.

“The EU is providing a safety net for Britain’s renewables industry at a time when Ministers are vigorously stripping away support for the sector and, instead, backing the frackers.”

Molly Scott Cato, Green MEP for the South West, a region identified as having huge potential for renewable energy, said:

“We know we can follow the lead of other countries in the EU. Last year I commissioned a report which concluded that the South West of England has the potential to generate in excess of 100% of its energy needs from renewables and create 122,000 jobs in the process [5]. We clearly have some of the best renewable resources in Europe, which makes our low ranking in terms of renewable energy even more of a disgrace.

“It’s clear that our government’s ideological obsession with nuclear and fracking, is turning us into an EU laggard when it comes to making the much needed energy transition. EU laws and targets provide the push while many of our EU neighbours offer the pull; challenging us to do better and showing what can be achieved. If we walk away from the EU now we risk losing the incentives to transform our economy to one powered by clean and green renewable energy.”

Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London, concluded:

“The EU is absolutely the best place for European countries to design policies together to collectively meet our energy needs whilst phasing out fossil fuels. In contrast to the UK government, the EU has recognised the need to transform our energy system and the millions of green jobs that can be created in doing so. To meet our commitments under the Paris climate agreement we need to work together with our European neighbours to set renewables and energy savings targets and agree ways of meeting them. Those arguing for us to leave the EU say they want control, well we won’t get control of climate change by walking away.” 

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Speaking at a conference entitled ‘A Better Europe Now’ organised by the Spring Alliance – an umbrella group of civil society groups and trade unions working in Brussels – she said we faced an environmental crisis as well as a social and economic one.

“The Spring Alliance has today called for a lot of great policies for the future of Europe – and I’m delighted to be here offering it my support,” she said.

“The ‘Spring Alliance’ brings together many of the organisations working to try to improve EU policies on development, equality, workers’ rights, the environment and the economy.

“It’s vital that the EU tackles the triple crises the world is facing: environmental, economic and social. They are all intimately linked, and unless we tackle them together we can’t really hope to solve any of them.

The Spring Alliance has called for a more democratic EU, a reduction in poverty, an end to austerity measures, job creation, environmental improvements, more renewable energy generation, and a more just tax system.

“I hope the European Parliament has the necessary representation to put pressure on the European Commission and Member State governments after the May 22 election to make sure that happens.”

For more information on the Spring Alliance, click here .

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The decision undermines proposals for a weaker climate change regime for the next 15 years proposed by the European Commission – reportedly at the behest of the UK and Polish governments – just last month.

They have decided to set higher targets to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions, to require all EU members to increase the amount of electricity they generate from renewable sources – and to require targets for energy efficiency measures too.

The Greens voted to adopt the strategy, despite the targets falling short of what they wanted and a bid to ban fracking being rejected by other MEPs, in order to give their strong backing to the demand of setting binding targets – an approach rejected by the European Commission in January – in the first place.

London’s Green MEP Jean Lambert said the decision represented massive progress on the proposals published in January.

“I am delighted MEPs have come together to reiterate the importance of taking concerted EU action on tackling climate change – and requiring all member states to meet strict on energy efficiency and renewable energy generation as well as overall emissions reduction.

“Such targets are absolutely essential if we are to move towards limiting global warming to 2°C, as required to stave off climate change’s most devastating impacts.

“Of course, we’d have liked them to be higher: Greens proposed binding targets of reducing total emissions by at least 60%, generating 45% of our energy from renewable sources, and cutting demand for electricity by 40% by 2030.”

MEPs eventually agreed to set targets of 40% and 30% for reducing emissions and switching to renewables, as well as voting to accept the Greens’ proposal for a 40% cut in energy demand by 2030.

Ms Lambert added: “I am particularly pleased that MEPs agreed to our proposed target for energy efficiency measures, as it is this which will deliver most jobs and cut fuel bills while tackling climate change: a real win-win-win.

“Of course I am disappointed that we couldn’t get the support we needed for an EU ban on fracking, although MEPs have agreed that all exploration and drilling requests should be subject to a full community consultation – that there should be no secret fracking under peoples homes without permission, as proposed by the UK Government this week.”

Greens also successfully proposed changes to the EU’s Emissions Trading System to make it better able to force firms to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

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Members of the Environment and Energy Committee today agreed to set targets of reducing emissions by 40% – by getting 30% of the EU’s energy from renewable sources and reducing energy use by 40% by 2030.

Though the agreement fell short of Green MEPs’ calls for targets of reducing emissions by 60% and obtaining 45% of energy from renewable sources, they welcomed the vote.

London’s Green MEP Jean Lambert said: “It is vital that the EU shows real leadership ahead of the crucial global climate negotiations scheduled for Paris next year.

“Having strong binding targets on reducing energy use and CO2 emissions and using more renewable energy is needed for that to happen – and though we think the targets supported by MEPs today aren’t high enough, we welcome the fact that the principle of tough targets has been accepted, despite opposition from the UK Tories.

“I hope the European Parliament as a whole will endorse them next month – and the European Commission will, in due course, adopt them.”

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In response to a Priority Question submitted by Green MEP for London, Jean Lambert {1}, the Commission states that legal proceedings will be taken if the Government's proposal to drastically slash the solar Feed-in-Tariff threatens progress towards the UK's binding EU target on renewable energy {2}.

Under the Renewable Energy Directive 2009, the UK is required to source 15 per cent of energy needs from renewable sources, including biomass, hydro, wind and solar power by 2020.  The Government's plans to cut the tariff will see payments for electricity generated by solar energy fall from 43p per Kwh to just 21p – a move which will dramatically undermine solar pv installation and capacity and weaken the UK's ability to meet its 2020 target.

In its response, the Commission also notes that any changes made to support schemes for renewable energy must be done so in a way which does not destabilise the renewable energy industry.  Yet, across the UK over 25,000 people are employed in the solar industry with thousands now facing an uncertain future.  In recent days, leading solar firm Carillion has confirmed that some 4,500 jobs are now under threat due to the planned cut to the subsidy.

Commenting on the Commission's response, Jean said: "At the same time as world leaders meet in Durban to negotiate a new binding agreement on climate change, the UK Government is attempting to rush through foolhardy and damaging changes to an incredibly successful renewable energy scheme which has resulted in 100,000 solar installations, the creation of over 22,000 jobs and almost 4,000 new businesses.  Rashly withdrawing support from this burgeoning industry will be disastrous for both our economy and the environment.  

"Under the Commission's ruling, the UK is prevented from making amendments to support schemes which could jeopardise the renewables industry, yet sudden, drastic cuts to the tariff will strip away investor confidence, reduce the market for solar companies across the country, and threaten jobs.  In the current climate, with unemployment reaching record levels, we can ill afford further job losses which could potentially reach into the thousands. This would seem to be a risky move: "destabilising" the industry by anyone's definition.

She continued: "It is the responsibility of the Government to take every possible step to boost, encourage and support green technologies as we look to move towards a more sustainable society, rather than penalise those that have thrived. The Government must now demonstrate that plans to slash the subsidy will not derail the UK from delivering 15 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2020, or the Commission will have no choice but to initiate infringement proceedings."

Notes to Editor

1. Jean's Priority Question, submitted on the 8th November, reads: "As part of the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC, the UK has a renewable energy target of 15% by 2020.  A Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) policy has been implemented as one key measure to deliver this target.  The UK Government is now planning to significantly reduce the solar pv FiT (1) rates from those reported in its National Renewable Energy Action Plan to the Commission.  There is concern that this change will undermine solar pv installation and capacity and thereby negatively impact upon the UK's ability to achieve the 15 per cent target.  Will the Commission assess the impact of this planned change upon the UK's capacity to make sufficient progress towards and meet the 15% target?  If this FiT revision or other weakened implementation policies threaten progress towards this target, what steps and proceedings will the Commission take?"

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+WQ+P-2011-010498+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN

2. Answer given by Energy Commissioner, Günther Oettinger, on behalf of the European Commission:

The Commission is aware of the planned changes to the UK support for photovoltaic energy and has been in contact with the UK authorities on the matter.

Following very significant reductions in the production cost of photovoltaic panels, the level of support for photovoltaic energy has been cut in several Member States.

Whenever Member States revise their support for support schemes for renewable energy, they need to do so in a manner which does not destabilise the renewable energy industry or risk undermining their own plans to achieve their 2020 targets.  The UK is committed to reaching its target of 15% renewable energy by 2020 and to following the trajectory outlined in its national renewable energy action plan.

Should the UK or any Member State weaken policies in such a way that it would threaten progress towards their targets, the Commission would take action, launching legal proceedings if necessary.

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getAllAnswers.do?reference=P-2011-010498&language=EN

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Under the Renewable Energy Directive 2009, the UK is required to source 15 per cent of energy needs from renewable sources, including biomass, hydro, wind and solar power by 2020.  The Government’s plan to cut Solar Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) payments by more than half will see the payments for electricity generated by solar energy fall from 43p per Kwh to just 21p – a move which will dramatically undermine solar pv installation and capacity and weaken the UK’s capability to meet its 2020 target {1}.

Alarmed by the Government’s unexpected proposal to cut the tariff from 12 December 2011 and at the devastating impact the decision could have on job creation in the renewable sector, carbon savings and fuel poverty, Jean has tabled a Priority Question to the Commission which asks them to scrutinise the effect of the cut on the UK’s ability to meet its obligations under the Directive and to set out what proceedings will be taken if the Government should fail to meet the 15 per cent target {2}.

Jean said: “The solar feed-in tariff has been very successful in helping homeowners, community groups, local authorities and businesses to realise and harness the benefits of solar power.  In fact, since the scheme was introduced in April 2010, it has seen some 100,000 solar installations, the creation of more than 22,000 jobs and almost 4,000 new businesses.

“Not only will the Government’s proposal to make drastic cuts to the solar Feed-in-Tariff hamper job creation in the renewable industry and discourage community owned energy set ups, but the move also shows a blatant disregard for the UK’s obligation to meet legally binding EU targets on renewables.

“The UK Government has long since submitted its national action plan to meet the Directive on Renewable Energy which requires the UK to produce 15 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2020.  The feed-in tariff was a programme to support this drive towards renewables and slashing the scheme may mean that the UK cannot deliver on its plans.  If the UK fails to meet its agreed target by 2015, the European Commission could impose fines running into millions of pounds – a criminal waste of public money in these tough financial times.

“It now falls to the Government to demonstrate that it is not changing an agreed component of its roadmap and that the UK is still on course to deliver 15 per cent of energy from renewable sources by 2020. The Government can not be let off the hook on this most vital of issues.”

Notes to Editors

1. The proposed change to the solar Feed-in-Tariff scheme was announced by Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker on 31st October.  For the full Ministerial statement, please see: http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/gb_fits/gb_fits.aspx

2. The question reads: “As part of the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC, the UK has a renewable energy target of 15% by 2020.  A Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) policy has been implemented as one key measure to deliver this target.  The UK Government is now planning to significantly reduce the solar pv FiT (1) rates from those reported in its National Renewable Energy Action Plan to the Commission.  There is concern that this change will undermine solar pv installation and capacity and thereby negatively impact upon the UK’s ability to achieve the 15% target. Will the Commission assess the impact of this planned change upon the UK’s capacity to make sufficient progress towards and meet the 15% target? If this FiT revision or other weakened implementation policies threaten progress towards this target, what steps and proceedings will the Commission take?”
As a Priority Question, the Commission is obligated to respond within three weeks.

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