THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS would like that its opinion is visible and acted upon:
Agrees that Member States shall collectively ensure that the share of energy from renewable
sources in the Union's gross final consumption of energy in 2030 is at least 27%; however,
considers that Member States may, after evaluating local requirements and circumstances, set
their own binding targets providing for a higher share;
Believes that Member States should intensify their efforts to eliminate administrative obstacles,
bring down the cost of less mature low-carbon technologies, and focus more on effectively
coordinating planning, implementation and reporting at national, regional and local level;
Regrets the fact that the Commission's proposals only vaguely sketch out the role of local and
regional authorities and underlines their contribution to achieving climate protection goals;
Notes that having clear and accurate information about the possibility of using EU financial
instruments after 2020 is important when it comes to achieving ambitious objectives; also
emphasises that advanced financing techniques must be used in order to ensure that the principal
investments come from the private sector;
Considers that renewable energy production plants located in third countries that are included in
joint projects regarding the production of electricity from renewable energy sources must comply
during their life cycle with environmental, social, labour, and safety standards applied in the EU
and in the Member State that intends to use this energy production in its own national accounts;
Notes that some national parliaments have expressed concerns regarding the European
Commission's proposals in terms of their adherence to the principle of subsidiarity and believes
that a more thorough examination may be needed of whether the principles of subsidiarity and
proportionality have been upheld.
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS:
- Agrees that Member States shall collectively ensure that the share of energy from renewable sources in the Union's gross final consumption of energy in 2030 is at least 27%; however, considers that Member States may, after evaluating local requirements and circumstances, set their own binding targets providing for a higher share;
- Believes that Member States should intensify their efforts to eliminate administrative obstacles, bring down the cost of less mature low-carbon technologies, and focus more on effectively coordinating planning, implementation and reporting at national, regional and local level;
- Regrets the fact that the Commission's proposals only vaguely sketch out the role of local and regional authorities and underlines their contribution to achieving climate protection goals;
- Notes that having clear and accurate information about the possibility of using EU financial instruments after 2020 is important when it comes to achieving ambitious objectives; also emphasises that advanced financing techniques must be used in order to ensure that the principal investments come from the private sector;
- Considers that renewable energy production plants located in third countries that are included in joint projects regarding the production of electricity from renewable energy sources must comply during their life cycle with environmental, social, labour, and safety standards applied in the EU and in the Member State that intends to use this energy production in its own national accounts;
- Notes that some national parliaments have expressed concerns regarding the European Commission's proposals in terms of their adherence to the principle of subsidiarity and believes that a more thorough examination may be needed of whether the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality have been upheld.