The EU is committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95 percent by 2050, compared to 1990. To help deliver this goal, energy from renewable sources, which is already delivering percent of Europe's energy supply, will have to play a predominant role in Europe's energy system. Investments in renewable energy help to cut EU carbon emissions3 but also improve European security of supply, reduce the EU's energy import bill and boost job creation.The European renewable energy success story has been driven by the EU target to deliver 20 percent of energy from renewables by 2020, the binding national targets into which the collective target was broken down, and other supporting policies. This comprehensive policy framework, enshrined in the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive5, has powered Europe's renewables development, giving house-holds and companies alike the confidence to invest in a renewable future.
This collective investment will continue to reduce the cost of renewables7 and empower a new generation of proactive consumers. In Germany, citizens, cooperatives, and communities own more than half of the installed renewables capacity. Local communities in search of job creation opportunities are also benefitting from big European investments in renewables.
To ensure continued success, the EU must maintain a strong post-2020 policy framework that will secure current and future investments in renewable energy. This framework should be designed to deliver and surpass the EU's 2030 renewable energy target. It should also contribute to meeting the EU's long-term climate objective by, among others, addressing the ongoing market and non-market barriers to the development of renewables in Europe.
This briefing sets out our perspective on the need for a strong and reliable EU 2030 renewable energy governance framework and presents our recommendations.
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