March European Council to focus on climate

The European Commission wants member states to be ready to endorse a 40% emissions reduction target by June at the latest, so that the EU can have an offer ready for global talks in the Autumn.

The European Council taking place on 20-21 March will focus on energy and climate issues, with national leaders expected to make progress on deciding a long-term target for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.

The European Commission adopted a recommendation last week for a 40% reduction by 2030, building on the 20% reduction target for 2020. But the Commission decided to drop a nationally binding target for renewable energy after the current target expires in 2020. Instead of the current target of a 20% share of renewable sources in the EU energy mix, an indicative EU-wide goal would be set of 27% by 2030.

Next week, the European Parliament is to adopt a resolution calling on member states to extend the nationally binding renewable energy target to 2030. MEPs also want member states to renew a target for energy efficiency, currently set at a 20% increase in efficiency by 2020.

The Commission wants member states to be ready to endorse the 40% target in time for the June summit, so that the EU can go to a United Nations summit in September with an offer for a globally binding climate deal.

Member states have been generally receptive to a 40% target, but Poland is opposed, and most member states are also opposed to a new renewables target that would be binding on national governments. A new 2030 target would require unanimous approval. It is expected that much of the March council’s discussion will focus on trying to bring Poland on-side. Ministers will also discuss energy issues. In a letter to EUleaders last week, Herman Van Rompuy, the president of the European Council, asked them to inform him of “any major recent or pending energy policy decisions which could have an impact on other member states”.

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The leaders will also review of the European semester budget surveillance programme and the Europe 2020 strategy to boost growth and jobs.

Dave Keating