Socialists and Democrats welcome the agreement reached yesterday evening between the European Parliament and the EU Council for a new Governance of the Energy Union Regulation.

 

In the absence of national renewables and energy efficiency binding targets, member states will now be required to develop ten year Integrated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) aimed at fulfilling the EU 2030 energy and climate targets.

 

 

“The EU’s credibility as a leader in the global fight against climate change is at stake, because so far member states are lagging behind in their contribution to the EU greenhouse gas emissions commitments adopted in Paris. This regulation is crucial to ensure a fair transition to a low-carbon economy, along with the Energy Efficiency and Renewables directives, where S&Ds have played a leading role.

 

“More importantly, our group successfully pushed for specific measures to tackle energy poverty. The new regulation includes an obligation for member states to report on those who cannot afford to pay their energy bill, and the need to set an objective to reduce energy poverty in the national plan, if significant levels of energy poverty are detected.

 

“Reporting on Just Transition has also been secured in order to help vulnerable communities and workers transition to the low-carbon economy. In fact, the Paris agreement requires national energy plans to include measures to ensure decent work, social inclusion and fighting poverty.”

 

 

“This regulation is an important pillar to implement a European energy policy of decarbonisation with a strong focus on renewables, energy efficiency and interconnections. It calls for a deeper mobilisation of civil society by establishing a multi–stakeholder dialogue and ensuring the leading role of the Union in the Paris agenda.

 

“Furthermore, the deal reached yesterday provides greater regulatory and investor certainty, which will encourage industries and services in the EU to invest in the transition to a low-carbon and digitalised economy. For the first time member states will have to prepare long term strategies which shall contribute to the achievement of the Paris objectives.”