On 26 June, EU Energy Ministers are expected to reach an agreement on the revision of the bloc’s main energy saving law for after 2020. Worryingly, they are considering throwing the policy into disarray by significantly watering down its cornerstone measure: the annual energy savings obligation. This would profoundly undermine the EU's commitments under the Paris Agreement, which requires boosting energy savings investments.
Read more: Council risks weakening of EU energy efficiency policy
In reaction to the discussion on the Governance Regulation taking place in the European Parliament’s Industry and Environment Commitees today, Caroline Westblom, EU Climate and Energy Policy Coordinator at CAN Europe said:
In reaction to the discussion on the Effort Sharing Regulation taking place at the Environment Council today, Caroline Westblom, EU Climate and Energy Policy Coordinator at CAN Europe said:
Read more: EU Ministers make little progress on key climate policy
EU heads of state and government meeting in Brussels on 22-23 June are expected to express their support to the full implementation of the Paris Agreement. Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe welcomes the dedication shown by the EU, but urges leaders to translate their words into action by calling for deeper emission cuts than currently foreseen and providing more support to climate action in developing countries.
The European Parliament voted today on the revision of the “Climate Action Regulation implementing the Paris Agreement” (Effort Sharing Regulation, or ESR), which covers emissions from transport, waste, buildings and agriculture for the coming decade.
The Parliament failed to translate its recent numerous statements reaffirming the EU’s commitment to the Paris Agreement into substantial emission cuts. In its current shape, the impact of the Effort Sharing Regulation on the climate will be close to zero.
Read more: Parliament fails to align EU climate policy with the bloc’s Paris pledge