Discussions regarding Europe's future energy policy this week has seen MEPs backing proposals for new EU targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% before 2050.

And, the meetings of the full EU Parliament in Strasbourg saw support for a 60% renewable energy target.

As Europe continues to re-shape its energy policy following the EU Commission's Second Strategic Energy Review, the MEPs called for climate change to be the priority for EU spending, rather than energy security, which is the Commission's current priority.

The discussions held this week formed part of the early stages of forming the next wave of EU energy policy, which is expected to result in a number of new Directives or regulations.

Tuesday saw discussions on an energy report drawn up by French MEP Anne Laperrouze which proposes much higher targets for renewable energy generation to tackle energy security.

And on Wednesday, the Parliament looked at a report on climate change emissions drawn up by German MEP Karl-Heinz Florenz, which highlighted the job creation opportunities available in moving away from fossil fuels.

The energy report was adopted by 406 votes to 168, while the climate change report was adopted by an even larger majority of 570 to 78 votes.

The next stage for Europe's future energy policy is for Member States to discuss proposals at next month's European Council meeting.

As well as the 80% target, which falls in line with the UK's existing climate change targets, the European Parliament wants a target in the region of 25%-40% in emissions cuts by 2020.

On energy, targets within the Laperrouze report adopted this week include 60% renewable energy, but also a 35% energy efficiency goal.

MEPs recommended a number of measures including energy efficiency targets, zero-carbon goals for new buildings, carbon capture and storage measures and the promotion of renewable energy. Proposals include requirements for "energy-neutral" new houses from 2015 and commercial buildings from 2020.

Mr Florenz said: "The buildings sector is where we still have the most serious shortcomings as regards energy efficiency. If we put emphasis on classical building insulation and the intelligent use of sunlight, we will be able to create huge savings at relatively low costs."

The MEPs also called for more research and development work regarding cleaner forms of transport, including the use of hydrogen, fuel cells and advanced biofuels to power cars, as well as electric and hybrid vehicles.

New funding measures and incentives to promote cleaner and more efficient energy were included within the report, as well as demands for a EU-wide "supergrid" to help the electricity sector.

MEPs said that in the next EU financial framework, "the highest priority must be given to climate change and measures to combat it".

The European Parliament members said they were were concerned that climate change is "both more rapid and more serious in terms of its adverse effects than was previously thought".

They want to see a European "renewable energy community" created, as well as partnerships with surrounding nations like those in North Africa.

Nuclear

This week's discussions by MEPs also included nuclear energy, with MEPs calling on the Commission to draw up a specific "road map" for nuclear investments, while rejecting calls for a "phase out plan" for nuclear power in Europe.

The debate saw safety issues within the civilian nuclear industry centre stage, particularly regarding nuclear waste management and the safeguards needed to protect nuclear material from falling into the wrong hands.

Slovenian MEP Jordan Cizelj, climate change spokeswoman for the European People's Party, the centre-right group of 288 MEPs, said the important elements of the new reports were the promotion of more diverse sources of energy, after recent concerns about Russian gas supplies.

Ms Cizelj said of Europe's energy mix: "It has to attain a larger portion of energy sources that do not emit greenhouse gases, such as renewable energy sources and nuclear energy. Besides, we cannot stop using coal, but we have to ensure the use of the best possible technologies that assure carbon capture and storage."

 

Commission

Following yesterday's vote, the EU Commission welcomed the Parliament's recommendations, including the suggested new climate change targets, saying they were "fully in line with the Commission's thinking".

It stressed that Member States were also following similar lines, as Europe prepares to take part in December's UN climate talks in Copenhagen, which could see an
international target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2020 on the table.

Environment commissioner Stavros Dimas said: "This commonality of views between the institutions is essential to maintain Europe's leadership in the international negotiations on a new global climate deal. We need to work together and mobilise all our resources to ensure a strong and effective agreement is reached at the Copenhagen climate conference in December."

The EU environment commissioner added that the current economic "crisis" was no reason to delay action against climate change.

"Instead, we must see the stimulus that our economies need now as an opportunity to accelerate investment in the low-carbon industries and 'green' jobs of tomorrow," he said.