Commenting on the outcome of today's 'energy summit', Greens/EFA co-president Rebecca Harms said:

"Despite its grandiose billing, this summit has left EU energy policy at a standstill. Clearly the outcome could have been worse, and the Greens are happy that the attack on renewable energy support schemes was completely batted off, but on the crucial issue of energy savings and efficiency prevarication continues to reign.

"A true commitment to energy efficiency is essential if the EU to meet its energy security and climate goals but Europe is way off track on its target of reducing energy consumption 20% by 2020. Making this target binding is the only way to ensure it is met and we strongly regret that EU leaders missed this important opportunity to do so.

"Shifting to an economy based entirely on renewable energy is also essential if Europe is to tackle the issues of energy security and climate change. To this end we welcome that EU leaders have overwhelmingly backed the national support schemes that have proved so effective in promoting this transition. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. However, we urgently need to upgrade our energy infrastructure and this will require new and innovative sources of financing. We regret that EU leaders have failed to grasp the nettle on this key issue.

"Thankfully, attempts to plug nuclear by the nuclear industry and its proxies in the French and Czech governments were largely unsuccessful. Nuclear is an expensive and time consuming distraction and EU leaders must continue to rebuff the nuclear smoke and mirrors."
 
Richard More O'Ferrall,
Press and media officer,
Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament
Mobile: +32-477-443842 - Ph. +32-22841669 (Brussels); +33-388174042
www.greens-efa.eu - http://twitter.com/GreensEP