The 27% renewable energy target behind the European Union’s commitment to reduce carbon pollution 40% by 2030 is receiving a “lukewarm response,” PV-Tech reported late last week.
“The renewables target is a very small step to support the enormous potential that solar and other renewables represent,” said Frauke Thies, Policy Director at the European Photovoltaic Industry Association. “It is still an important signal of political resolve to overcome the existing market barriers and the adverse national political contexts where some Member States have implemented retroactive measures for renewables.”
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EU Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard acknowledged that a 27% target for energy efficiency improvements “fell short of the commission’s ambition.”
In the lead-up to the EU decision, IPCC Vice-Chair Jim Skea said a target of 40% by 2030 would be too little, too late to support the deep decarbonization that is needed by mid-century.
