Main navigation

Latest news

EU agrees 20% renewables by 2020

11 December 2008

EU politicians have agreed to generating 20 per cent of the union's energy from renewable sources by 2020.

It had been feared that given the economic downturn and objections from some states, the target originally set in January might have been watered down.

The European Wind Energy Association chief executive, Christian Kjaer, welcomed the decision, saying: "Today tomorrow changed. The European Parliament and the Council have agreed the world's most important energy law."

Later this week EU leaders will meet to seal and complete the climate change package, which some organisations have criticised for its continued support for biofuels.

The agreement requires 10 per cent of transport fuels to come from renewable, despite suggestions that they are responsible for rising food prices and in some cases deforestation.

Under the terms of the deal, a compromise has been reached so that cars powered by renewable electricity count towards the biofuel target.

Greenpeace rated the renewables deal as eight out of 10, but campaigner Frauke Thies added: "The only drawback is that EU politicians are insisting on the large-scale promotion of biofuels. They are not sufficiently protecting the planet from the ravages that can be caused by unsustainable biofuels."

The news feeds on this site are independently provided by Adfero Limited © and do not represent the views or opinions of the Energy Saving Trust.

Author: Administrator User