EU proposes ambitious new energy policy

The European Union (EU) proposed an ambitious energy policy for Europe, calling for a 20 % reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2020.
The proposal, which is to be endorsed by the European Parliament and EU member states, centred around three pillars: creating a well-functioning and competitive internal market, shifting to a low-carbon economy, and improving energy efficiency by cutting energy consumption by 20 % by 2020.

The policy aims to combat climate change, promote jobs and growth, and limit the EU's reliance on gas and oil imports, thereby providing secure and affordable energy to consumers, the commission said in its 24-page paper.
Launching the energy package, European Commission President Jose Manual Barroso said in future international negotiations on fighting climate change, the EU should call for a target of a 30 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by developed countries by 2020 compared to 1990. This will be essential to meeting the EU's commitment of limiting the global temperature increase to 2 degree centigrade by 2020 compared to pre-industrial levels, he said.

However, if an international agreement can not be reached on this, the EU will still cling to its goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 20 % by 2020, he said.
"This is the most ambitious emissions target that a country or a group of countries has ever put forward," he said. The commission listed a number of measures, including improving energy efficiency, raising the share of renewable energy to 20 % of the energy mix by 2020, and new measures to ensure that the benefits of the internal energy market reach everyone.

EU countries need to show solidarity in meeting the new energy challenges, with a more long term vision for energy technology development, a renewed focus on nuclear safety and security, and determined efforts for the EU to "speak with one voice" with its international partners, Barroso said.
The new policy also seeks to ensure security of energy supply, which has caused increasing concern in the past year with Russia's disputes with Ukraine and Belarus over oil and gas prices disrupting supplies to EU countries. Member countries should take actions to diversify their energy sources and promote new energy alternatives, it said.