EU to miss its climate objectives without 2030 climate and renewable energy targets

The European Commission's "EU Energy, Transport and GHG Emissions Trends to 2050", published on the Commission's website during the Christmas holiday, shows that on the basis of current policies the EU will fail to meet its 2050 commitment of 80% to 95% greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions.

The European Commission's latest reference scenario, based on current trends and adopted policies, shows that EU GHG emissions would fall by 24% in 2020, but by just 44% in 2050 (compared to 1990 levels), with energy import dependency increasing during the period to almost 57%.

"With the EU's power sector expected to be still pumping out almost 400 million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2050, and the EU in an even worse energy security situation, an ambitious 2030 climate and energy framework, with targets for renewable energy and GHG reductions, is more critical than ever. Without such targets energy security and a zero-carbon power sector will be impossible," said Justin Wilkes, EWEA's Deputy CEO.

The scenario shows that even under current trends and policies, more wind power capacity will be installed over the next 20 years than any other generating technology - accounting for 37% of new installations - with the result that wind energy will be the leading generating technology in Europe by 2040.

"The European Commission's scenario highlights a positive medium- and long-term outlook for the wind industry. However, a sharp decline in new installations of wind power from 2021 onwards of 27% highlights the vital importance of a long-term stable regulatory framework for the sector, underpinned by a 2030 renewable energy target," continued Wilkes.

Wind and other renewables together account for 59% of all new electricity generating installations over the 20 year period to 2035 in the European Commission's scenario.