On November 28, 2017 the European Parliament’s Industry and Energy Committee (ITRE) voted for the modification of two directives, which both affect the EU’s energy policy target corridor for 2030: Regarding efficiency they agreed on a 40% efficiency goal until 2030 (compared to 1990) and binding national targets. They also voted for a 35% renewable energy target in the energy sector until 2030. In doing so the parliament exceeds the proposals of the commission. Both directives are part of the European Commission’s winter package “Clean Energy Package for All Europeans”, put one the table a year ago.

The resolutions provoked diverging reactions from the European parliament’s parties as well as energy experts. With regard to the question how the 35% renewable energy target can be achieved, the lack of explicit national targets was criticized. “The EU does not own any land, so who will build these renewable energy sources? National governments” (Claude Turmes, 2017). Again, additionally to the EU’s energy targets, questions regarding the national implementation and the effectiveness of the governance system of the energy union are coming to the fore.

The report “The Governance of the Energy Union – between national energy strategies and the Paris climate targets” deals with just these questions. In the Trialog on July 13, 2017 participants discussed whether the governance system, proposed by the EU commission in its winter package, is appropriate and effective for achieving the EU’s climate and energy targets. You can find the report here (in German only).