ESBA - The Independant Voice for Small Business

ENERGY: ESBA SUPPORTS BINDING TARGETS FOR RENEWABLES

Brussels, 23 February 2007

EU ministers have held two meetings which have prepared the ground for the EU summit, to take place in Brussels on 8-9 March. They will be followed by a formal legislative proposal later in the year.

Ministers discussed the Commission’s recent package on climate change and energy in the Energy Council meeting on 15 February and the Environment Council meeting on 20 February. Energy ministers called for rapid implementation of the Commission’s energy-efficiency action plan, and accepted a binding target of 10% energy production from biofuels and called for a non-binding target of 20% energy from renewables by 2020. With regards to energy market liberalisation, ministers accepted the French and German position, that current legislation should be fully implemented before further measures are considered.

Meanwhile, environment ministers met on 20 February to endorse the overall aim of a 20% emissions reduction by 2020, although they are yet to agree on how this commitment will be divided amongst individual Member States. Moreover, ministers agreed that this commitment should be increased to a 30% reduction, provided this is agreed by other developed countries.

ESBA endorses the emphasis placed on increased energy efficiency by the Energy Council, which could reduce energy consumption by 20% by 2020. In addition, the binding commitment to biofuels is a step in the right direction. However, ESBA regrets the decision to refrain from a binding target for renewable energy sources. Apart from being fundamental in the fight against climate change, biofuels and renewables offer a wealth of opportunities for SMEs to engage in research and development and become involved in energy supply.

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Note to the editor:

ESBA is a non-party political European group, which gathers member organisations from 22 European countries. It is the only organisation in Europe to focus its representation on the needs of (fully) independent small business organisation (vs. statutory or compulsory membership groups). ESBA currently represents almost 2 million small business entrepreneurs and represents them through targeted EU advocacy activities. ESBA also works towards the development of strong independent lobby and benefits groups in European countries. For more information, please contact: secretaria@esba-europe.org

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Page last updated: 06/03/2007 2:25:32 PM