Ramping up renewable energy production is essential for achieving climate targets, the EU’s geopolitical independence, and spurring green jobs and development. The revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) sets higher shares of renewables in various sectors: transport, heating and cooling, buildings and industry with a mix of binding/voluntary targets. As Greens, we were instrumental in increasing the EU target to ‘at least 45%’ as well as overcoming attempts to include fossil- or nuclear- based fuels, which would have watered down the entire directive. The Commission proposal has been improved throughout, including with wording on pushing for the phase out of fossil fuels in low-temperature industrial heat applications by 2027, which is key to incentivising renewable electrification, industrial heat pumps and e-boilers in a sector that consumes roughly 8% of the overall consumption of fossil gas. On eliminating incentives for the burning of primary woody biomass for energy, whilst still a step in the right direction, the level of ambition was below what is needed for climate and biodiversity. The Green group voted in favour to ensure that it would not be rejected altogether, and so that the issue remains on the table in upcoming negotiations with Member States.
2022/09/14