As agreed by EU leaders on 23 October 2014, the European Union set new ambitious targets in terms of cutting greenhouse gas emissions. While the EU is making good progress towards meeting its climate and energy targets for 2020, an integrated policy framework for the period up to 2030 is needed to ensure regulatory certainty for investors and a coordinated approach among Member States.
EU Heads of State and Government have agreed the headline targets and the architecture for the EU framework on climate and energy for 2030. The agreed targets include a cut in greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, an EU-wide binding target for renewable energy of at least 27% and an indicative energy efficiency target of at least 27%. The renewables and energy efficiency targets will increase the security of the EU’s energy supplies and help reduce its dependency on imported fossil fuels. How to achieve such ambitious goals? The main mechanism will be a well-functioning, reformed Emissions Trading System (ETS) with an instrument to stabilize the market as proposed by the Commission. The 40% target will be delivered collectively by the EU in the most cost-effective manner possible, with reductions in both the ETS and non-ETS sectors. The 2030 framework aims to drive continued progress towards a low-carbon economy and a competitive and secure energy system that ensures affordable energy for all consumers. It also creates new opportunities for growth and job.
Even longer-term perspective developed in a document by the European Commission “Road map for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050″ considers cost-effective pathway for achieving much deeper emission cuts by the middle of the century: cut of emissions to 80% below 1990 levels. It also shows how the main sectors responsible for Europe’s emissions – power generation, industry, transport, construction etc. can make the transition to a low-carbon economy most effectively. A low-carbon economy would have a much greater need for renewable sources of energy, energy-efficient building materials, hybrid and electric cars, smart grid equipment, low-carbon power generation and carbon capture and storage technologies.
Consequently, the need for major changes, supported by EU and national legislation measures, leads to growth opportunity for solar sector, facing the challenge of further development of solar products and energy efficient technologies.
Source: European Commission