Week 2 at COP24 and Countries Still Struggle about 'Rulebook'

Speaking during a panel discussion in Katowice on EU Energy Day, WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson stressed the need for ambition in both investments and collaboration in Europe, otherwise their leadership in renewable energy might be in danger in the light of the significant growth in global competition. Dickson reminded the audience that wind is a free, reliable and local source of green electricity that contributes to energy security and independence while boosting the EU economy as it creates jobs and growth.

With technological innovation and economies of scale, costs of wind energy are sharply decreasing. And this rapid cost reduction is putting pressure on the entire wind energy supply chain. The industry is importing more and more components from China and other economies while outsourcing ever more of the production of key elements – such as gearboxes – to emerging economies.

Dickson’s calls for ambition – indeed the entirety of the COP24 debates – stand in a highly charged context: the recent IPCC Special Report has warned of irremediable damages to our planet and our society with a mere 0.5° difference in global warming. Calls for ambition have been echoed by EU Commissioner for Climate Action, Miguel Arias Canete, together with several EU and non-EU governments. In the form of a ‘High Ambition Coalition’ – an initiative initiated in Paris – Cañete is now asking all countries to raise their ambition to fight against global warming and climate change and to acknowledge 1.5°C as the new target.