Europe still matters, at least that is the message that the world received last year from European citizens shocked by the inexorable rise of the far-right spectre that has always lurked warily. Even more importantly, a large part of the large number of voters in the 2019 European elections (50.6%) were young citizens under 25, which meant that their participation increased by 14 points compared to 2014. In other words: the sense of civic responsibility of EU citizens was ratified in 2019, and now it is time for our decision-makers to agree with the people’s demands and legislate accordingly.
The growing awareness of the climate emergency among European citizens, coupled with fluctuating energy prices and ongoing geopolitical turmoil, forced the former European Commission to present a convincing strategy in 2015 to launch a resilient Energy Union with a forward-looking climate change policy in all its Member States. Without going into details about the ambition (or lack thereof) of the new Clean Energy Package that emerged from this climate change policy, the legislation is now more conducive to developing a clean and affordable energy transition for Europe.
The new President of the European Commission, the European People’s Party member Ursula von der Leyen, has declared that one of the main priorities of the new Commission for the period 2019-2024 will be to promote a new European Green Deal , which means that energy and climate (among other environmental issues) will be addressed during her term. Some crucial questions are how she will do this and to what extent. Indeed, some critical voices in Brussels are already asking whether this pact is a broken promise even before it is launched.
Now that every piece of the European machinery has had a few months to get on board and familiarize itself with current trends, it’s time to activate some legislative processes. Here are some of the hottest energy issues of this year.
- Although Member States were required to present their national long-term strategies to the European Commission at the beginning of the year, to date only 11 Member States have shared their projects to contribute to a highly efficient and renewable energy system within the EU. Spain has not yet presented it for obvious reasons (inability to form a government during 2019), but the positive side is that more renewable energies are being installed every day and, as is happening in much of the rest of Europe, less harmful fossil waste is being burned.
- The new European Commission is expected to publish a renewable energy financing mechanism in March to fill potential gaps in the 2030 renewable energy pathway and to contribute to the enabling framework of the 2018 Renewable Energy Directive. The mechanism is expected to be established on 1 January 2021.
- Another important milestone expected to be achieved before the summer will be the Commission’s assessment of the final National Energy and Climate Plans . Spain has presented one of the most ambitious proposals, although it is not climate-proof, but the European Commission is expected to propose additional measures to support Member States. This analysis will also help to prepare a comprehensive study to reduce emissions by at least 50% and towards 55% by 2030. Also before the summer break, the Commission is expected to explain the most cost-effective way to achieve more ambition, which may well involve reviewing current targets for energy efficiency and renewable energy .
- A major review of the Batteries and Accumulators Directive is expected in the autumn, under the German Presidency. This process will seek to improve sustainability and include circular economy aspects. A strategy on marine renewable energy and, possibly, offshore wind and ocean energy will also be published . The strategy will address all opportunities and challenges related to large-scale development, such as the impact on energy networks and markets, maritime space management and industrial policy dimensions.
- At the end of the year, most likely when COP26 is held in Glasgow , Scotland, we would like to see an increase in the 2030 targets that are currently not binding at national level (energy efficiency and renewables). A different approach is needed, otherwise we will not achieve some targets, as happened with the 2020 targets, and we will send a very negative message to the rest of the world. Perhaps by publishing an ambitious and binding EU Climate Law we can start to be in line with the Paris Agreement. Finally, each Member State will present its heat plan , which means that each will have made an assessment of its potential for energy from renewable sources and the use of heat and cold in the heating and cooling sector.
