the design and philosophy of the res directive hans van steen - head of unit european commission, dg...

The Design and Philosophy of the RES DirectiveHans van Steen - Head of Unit

European Commission, DG TREN D1

European Forum For Renewable Energy Sources - 7th Inter-ParliamentaryMeeting, Berlin, 5-6 October 2007

Startingpoints


The European Commission´sRenewable Energy Roadmap

January 2007

European Council ConclusionsMarch 2007

European Parliament Report on the Roadmap

September 2007

• Promoting renewables is a central element in both EU energy policy and in EU climate policy

• The targets agreed by the European Council on renewables and on greenhouse gas reductions are linked but are also two self-standing objectives

Basic philosophy (1)


Basic philosophy (2)

• Binding targets for 2020

• Flexibility between sectors, but…

• …minimum target for biofuels

• Compliance and sectoral targets through National Action Plans

• Improved possibilities for cross-border trade

• Sustainability criteria for biofuels


Designissues

Legal basis

Target allocation

National Action Plans

Removing barriersBiofuels sustainability


Design issues (1)

Legal base: • So far EU renewable policy has been

conducted based on co-decision• The Commission is of the view that this should

continue• Current thinking: double legal basis (Article

175.1 and 95)• All Member State to agree on their national

target


Design issues (2)

Allocation of 20% target• Principles set out in European Council Conclusions• Primary energy vs. final energy accounting• Currently the Commission’s analysis looks at 2

approaches for the allocation– Based on potential in each Member State

– Flat rate (equal increase in all Member States)

• Possibility of modulating for differences in GDP


Flexibility and trade

New ambitious targets will

require more opportunities for

trade in renewables

• Physical trade

• Virtual trade

• Improved guarantees of origin


Design issues (3)

National Action Plans• Containing sectoral targets and measures to

meet these

• Would become key monitoring and compliance tool for the Commission

• Directive should clearly define criteria for compliance


Design issues (4)

Removing barriers• Essential feature of existing legislation• Maintain and improve requirements in new directive• Include heating and cooling - currently not subject to

EU legislation• Elements: o Autorisation procedures

o Planning permits

o Certification procedures

o Requirements for new buildings


Design issues (5)

Biofuels sustainability• The 10% binding target is only politically acceptable

with clear sustainability requirements• Public consultation (April – June 2007)• Scheme is currently being developped based on the

following criteria– Greenhouse gas balance

– Biodiversity

– Rewards for second generation biofuels


Conclusions


Commission will come forward with a comprehensive renewable directive

To be proposed as part of a package including GHG and ETS review

Planned adoption on 5 December 2007

Thank you for your attention

the design and philosophy of the res directive hans van steen - head of unit european commission, dg...

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