There are no real technological or resource limits constraigning the development of renewables!
The Greens urge on the European Commission and the Council to adopt and implement EU policies and measures which will:
- Expand the EU share of renewable energies from 12% in 2010 to at least 25% by 2020;
- Allow at least 50% of all energy research within the 7th Framework Program for energy efficiency and renewable energies.
EP votes to put renewable energy first in Europe
The European Parliament's industry committee has voted in favour of an ambitious binding target of a 20% share of energy from renewable sources by 2020. While the biofuels target remains, stronger sustainability criteria and a review in 2014 have been introduced.
Scrap biofuels target and stop stalling on CO2 car emissions
The EU environment and energy councils take place today and tomorrow in Luxembourg. Among several key issues, the topic of agrofuels and the 10% target will be one of the central discussion point.
Yes to flexibility, but not at any price
Today Green MEP Claude Turmes presents his report on the renewables directive to the European Parliament committee on industry, research and energy.
Draft report of the European Parliament's rapporteur, Greens' MEP C.Turmes, is available
An essential part of the European Commission's 'climate package' issued in January is the proposal on a new directive for renewable energy.The European Parliament will give its input through the report lead by Greens/EFA MEP Claude Turmes.
Greens call for moratorium on agrofuels
Green MEPs called on the European Commission to scrap its 10% target for agrofuels and to establish a moratorium to allow clarification of their use.
Scientific body of European Environment Agency asks to suspend 10% agrofuels target
The EEA scientific committee made public an opinion on the environmental impact of agrofuel use in Europe. It recommends a new, comprehensive study on the subject and a suspension of the 10% taget of agrofuels in transport by 2020.
Greens/EFA call for solar revolution in the Mediterranean
The Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly has called for all Euromed countries to set targets for renewable energy production. The aim is to complement the EU target of a 20% contribution of renewable sources to overall energy production by 2020.
EU Parliament gives green light to global energy fund
The European Parliament today gave the green light to setting up the world's biggest public private fund for investments in green energy, the Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund (GEEREF).
Commission proposal negatively prejudges outcome of international climate negotiations
The Greens expressed regret that proposed EU climate and energy legislation was based on an unambitious greenhouse gas reduction target of 20% by 2020. The laws should be based on the 30% reduction target, agreed by heads of state. The Greens also criticised the maintenance of a mandatory 10% biofuels target by 2020.
Launch of the white book of the DESERTEC concept for Energy, Water and Climate Security
Today the Greens co-hosted an event at which Jordanian Prince Hassan bin Talal outlined proposals for EU cooperation with the Middle East and North Africa on energy, water and climate security. The White Book for clean energy cooperation to harness the enormous potential of solar, among other things, was presented.
European Parliament sends a strong message in favour of renewables
In a resolution adopted by a large majority on Tuesday, the European Parliament set out its political agenda for renewable energy proposals due to be tabled by the European Commission in December.
OECD survey says that agrofuels will only have limited impact on climate change.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development writes in its new report that “the current push to expand the use of biofuels is creating unsustainable tensions that will disrupt markets without generating significant environmental benefits”.
New UN report shows a 25% jump in investments from 2005 to 2006
A new analysis by the UN environment Programme (UNEP) reveals a boom in investment into renewables. The report says investment capital flowing into renewable energy climbed from $ 80 billion in 2005 to a record $ 100 billion in 2006. The UN body concludes that renewables could provide almost 25% of the world's electricity by 2030.
European Parliament's committee on energy voted on electricity and gas markets
Yesterday evening the ITRE committee voted on the Vidal-Quadras report on the prospects for the internal gas and electricity market. The committee adopted a firm position on full ownership unbundling with a strengthening of the role of the energy regulators.
European Parliament urges "post-fossil, post-nuclear vision"
The European Parliament adopted a written declaration on establishing a green hydrogen economy and a 3rd industrial revolution in Europe through a partnership with committed regions and cities, SMEs and civil society organisations.
UN issued a warning about potential negative impacts of plant fuel production
The inter-agency body UN-Energy released a report on Tuesday which advises governments to take a cautious approach to developing plant fuels. It says that negative environmental and social impacts could outweigh the benefits if production isn't managed sustainably.
Launch of the study "The flow of palm oil Colombia-Belgium/Europe"
Alain Lipietz, Greens/EFA MEP and the news magazine Politis invite you to the conference "Trees of evil. The production of agro fuels from palm oil". It will take place on Wednesday 9 May 2007 from 9.30 am to 1 pm in the European Parliament.
Record growth levels in 2006
The wind and photovoltaic sectors registered record growth levels in 2006 according to new figures published by the renewable energy consortium Eurobserver. Germany is still a leading country but other markets are expected to take off quickly like in France, UK or Italy.
World's largest solar energy plant in Portugal
One of the world's larget solar energy plants, located in southern Portugal, started delivering electricity to about 8,000 homes this week.It is expected to produce the most power worldwide compared to other existing solar energy plants.
Greens/EFA action on the eve of the Kyoto day
Juste before the vote in the European Parliament on a resolution on climate change, and 2 days ahead of the Kyoto day, the Greens/EFA members held an action on "Stop climate change. Switch to Green Power".
Play you part!
It is easy to forget that each time we switch on the TV, we are using polluting electricity. By switching to green electricity you can choose to run your appliances on clean renewable energy (pdf)
Launch of the "Energy [r]evolution" by Greenpeace and EREC
The report produced by the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) and Greenpeace International, provides a practical blueprint for how to cut global CO2 emissions by almost 50% within the next 43 years, whilst providing a secure and affordable energy supply and, critically, maintaining steady worldwide economic development.
EU citizens largely favour renewables while only 20% are for nuclear energy
According to a new European Commission survey, the Eurobarometer on energy technologies published on Monday, a very large majority of EU citizens back renewables like solar energy or wind energy. On the other hand a majority is against nuclear.
European Solar Thermal Technology Platform begins work
An EU-supported technology platform promoting solar thermal material held its first working meeting in Brussels on Wednesday. It forecasts that by 2030 solar thermal energy will provide more than 50% of all heating in Europe's buidlings.
FP7 should stimulate research into clean technologies but nuclear anomaly remains
The European Parliament voted today on the 7th research framework programme for the period 2007-2013. It includes research and development in the field of energy technologies like renewable energies and energy efficiency.
Energy efficiency and renewables is the only strategy to meet climate targets
A study presented yesterday to the European Parliament's energy committee shows clearly that the only possible road for Europe is to combine very robust energy efficiency and renewables targets.
European's Parliament Energy committee voted on biomass report
The committee voted on Tuesday on a report which is the parliament's response to the Commission's proposal for an EU strategy on biomass and biofuels. MEPs called for a ban on palm oil biofuels and also a mandatory and comprehensive certification scheme for sustainable biofuels.
Shocking decision: Commission attacks the aids for green electricity
The Commission has recently warned Luxembourg against its policy to compensate customers for higher-priced green electricity through its system of feed-in tariffs.The transboundary application of these measures is considered to be market distortion!
Finnish Presidency must make good on its commitments to energy efficiency and renewables
La Commission européenne rejette la proposition du Parlement européen sur les énergies renouvelables
"Il ne suffit pas de faire de beaux discours sur la pertinence des énergies renouvelables et de l'efficacité énergétique. Il faut encore se donner les moyens de sa politique." déclarent les Verts.
FP7 should support forward-looking and clean innovation, not dirty and expensive nuclear power
In advance of the EP vote on the EU's research budget for the next 7 years, the Greens have called on MEPs to support research in clean and forward-looking technologies. The group is calling for the nuclear research budget to be slashed and for more funds for energy efficiency and renewables.
EU Council, European Parliament and NGOs discuss EU bioenergy strategy
The Energy Council met on 8-9 June to discuss and publish the Council's Conclusion on the EU's "Biomass Action Plan". Ahead of this meeting the European Parliament organized a public hearing on biomass and NGOs held a conference on sustainable biofuels.
Green's to fight for more research on renewables and energy efficiency
The European Parliament is currently working on the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) which is the EU's chief instrument for funding scientific research and technological development over the period 2007 to 2013.
Clean and safe? Not necessarily. We tell you what's behind the scene for the hydrogen future.
The energy captured in the plants growing on earth represents a huge potential. Biomass is the name of this energy sleeping giant. Let's wake it up !
Every MINUTE , enough energy arrives at the Earth, from the Sun, to meet our global demands for a WHOLE YEAR. Let's harness it with innovative solar solutions !
2005 a new European record - Wind, a clean technology that delivers vast amounts of safe energy ! Wind energy has been used for centuries. The modern technologies make it now available to us.
Renewable energy sources capture their energy from existing flows of energy and from on-going natural processes, such as sunshine, wind, flowing water, biological processes, and geothermal heat flows. Safe and sustainable! 21 renewable energy sources for the 21st century !
