ABSTRACT
The scene is set. The 2020-framework for the European Union is in place – expiring, however, in 2020, if no further agreement is reached in due time. And a rough outline of an international climate roadmap was developed in December 2012 in Durban (South Africa), which may or may not result in a new climate regime in 2015. Even with a new agreement reached in 2015, there will most likely not be any significant additional incentives for shifting supply and demand to a fully sustainable, renewables based energy system. The EU (and other major economies) will have to take responsible decisions about a future framework for climate and energy policies, which could serve as incentives for the 2015 negotiations – but success cannot be taken for granted. Own efforts to move towards a renewables based energy supply would definitely strengthen the EU’s contribution to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. Sustainable energy policies for Europe would also provide significant benefits regarding clean environment and economic growth, security of energy supply and affordable energy for all, job creation and competitiveness. Those Member States, which most efficiently and successfully increase their shares of renewable energy will benefit from their frontrunner role. This chapter analyses the ongoing discussion in the EU about the post-2020 climate and energy
framework, where renewable energies and energy efficiency as well as energy saving should be in the centre. The first and foremost beneficiary of such a strategy would be global climate protection, because this would deliver on greenhouse gas emissions reduction in an efficient and cost effective way. The European Commission’s communication“Renewable Energy: a major player in the Euro-
pean energymarket” (EuropeanCommission 2012b) including accompanying impact assessment (European Commission 2012c, European Commission 2012d) and Commission Staff Working Document (European Commission 2012e) will be analysed, as well as the process towards“State Aid Modernisation (SAM)” launched in parallel by a Commission’s Communication in May 2012 (European Commission 2012a). In addition, the Commission’s Proposal for amending the Renewables Directive and the Fuel Quality Directive (European Commission 2012f) including accompanying documents (European Commission 2012g, European Commission 2012h) regarding ILUC (Indirect Land Use Change) will be examined with regard to potential impact on achieving 2020-targets and on the development of a post-2020 framework.
