Category: Policy Watch Europe

Emissions mitigation policies in the EU and neighbouring countries

Emissions mitigation policies in the EU and neighbouring countries

December 18, 2023 | , ,

The EU has been a leader in introducing sophisticated policy instruments that help with decarbonization in an economically efficient manner. The evolution of its emissions trading system, ETS, applied uniformly among all member states, is perhaps an example of the biggest experiment, globally, with a decarbonization policy. The EU’s partner countries, that are deeply integrated in economic relations with it, are expected to be affected by its rapid decarbonization towards net zero by 2050.

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Policies Driving Industrial Decarbonization in Sweden and Portugal

Policies Driving Industrial Decarbonization in Sweden and Portugal

December 11, 2023 | , , ,

Sweden’s electricity and heating sector is predominantly fossil-free, given the country’s early adoption of carbon-neutral resources. As a result, the focus for decarbonization now rests on the industry and transport sectors. Portugal has made significant progress in its net zero ambitions, driven by government funding in green hydrogen initiatives and decarbonization of the industrial sector. The government sees industrial clusters as an opportunity to scale up renewable gas and has allocated capital to support the development of these projects.

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European Commission’s Action Plan for Electricity Grids

European Commission’s Action Plan for Electricity Grids

December 1, 2023 | ,

To help deliver the European Green Deal, the Commission is proposing an Action Plan to make sure electricity  grids  will operate more efficiently and will be rolled out further and faster. The Commission has already put in place a supportive legal framework for the rollout of electricity grids across Europe. With the EU markets fully integrated, a modernised infrastructure network will ensure citizens and business can benefit from cheaper and cleaner energy.

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Net Zero Readiness in Netherlands, Germany and Italy

Net Zero Readiness in Netherlands, Germany and Italy

November 20, 2023 | ,

Netherlands has strong ambitions and national net zero policies, but is seeing significant implementation problems. Germany needs to find ways to increase clean electricity and housing efficiency. Italy has strengths in energy efficiency and it plans to become a hub for green hydrogen, but there are difficulties in gaining authorizations to develop new power generation and renovate homes.

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“Fit for 55”: European Council agrees on higher targets for renewables and energy efficiency

“Fit for 55”: European Council agrees on higher targets for renewables and energy efficiency

June 30, 2022 | ,

The Council on June 27 adopted its negotiating positions (general approaches) on two legislative proposals that tackle the energy aspects of the EU’s climate transition under the ‘Fit for 55’ package: the renewable energies directive and the energy efficiency directive. The agreements pave the way for the Council to start negotiations with the European Parliament.

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European Green Bond Regulation

European Green Bond Regulation

June 15, 2022 | ,

Currently, the green bond market is mainly organised through market-based and industry group standards. While these voluntary standards provided a basis for the development of the green bond market, the European Commission aims to provide issuers and investors with a more extensive and uniform regulatory framework with the introduction of a European green bond standard.

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Tax relief for oil and gas is trouble for UK bills and energy transition

Tax relief for oil and gas is trouble for UK bills and energy transition

June 12, 2022 | ,

By introducing additional tax relief limited to oil and gas investment, Treasury incentivises a slower transition and pushes companies to allocate profits towards new oil and gas developments instead of renewables. If this revenue had instead been spent on supporting energy efficiency measures it would have the potential to lift households out of energy poverty for good. 

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Adjustments to the specific remuneration system for renewables in Spain

Adjustments to the specific remuneration system for renewables in Spain

June 8, 2022 | ,

RD-Law 6/2022 eliminated, for energy generated in 2023 and thereafter with the right to specific remuneration, the adjustment for deviations in the market price of electricity as compared to the forecasts taken into account for each three-year regulatory half-period (and each six-year regulatory period). This adjustment has now been reintroduced, again with changes to how it is regulated.

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German Easter Package targets 80 per cent renewables by 2030

German Easter Package targets 80 per cent renewables by 2030

May 30, 2022 | , ,

Germany is urgently gearing up for a major electricity policy revamp impelled by the ongoing geopolitical circumstances and the need to secure its future national energy supply besides achieving its climate goals. The comprehensive energy package outlines new frameworks for renewables, power grids and markets in order to ensure that the country is on track to achieve climate neutrality in the electricity sector by 2035, with an interim target of 80 per cent renewable electricity (or 600 TWh) by 2030.

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Assessment of Poland’s renewable energy policy

Assessment of Poland’s renewable energy policy

May 13, 2022 | , ,

The EPP2040 places an emphasis on increasing renewable electricity generation to drive the energy transition, especially on solar PV and offshore wind. It includes targets for solar PV capacity of 5-7 GW by 2030 and 10-16 GW by 2040, and for Poland to have 1 million prosumers using distributed renewables (mainly PV) by 2030. Although the EPP2040 was released in February 2021, it does not reflect the reality of PV deployment in Poland.

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Climate Neutral Europe: EC publishes offshore renewable energy strategy

Climate Neutral Europe: EC publishes offshore renewable energy strategy

February 16, 2021 | , ,

Europe is taking comprehensive steps to deliver on its commitment to become climate neutral by 2050 as set out in the European Green Deal. For this, the European Commission (EC) proposes an EU strategy to make offshore renewable energy a core component of the continent’s energy system by 2050. In November 2020, the EC presented to the European Parliament its offshore renewable energy strategy titled ‘An EU Strategy to harness the potential of offshore renewable energy for a climate neutral future’.

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The European Commission’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility strategy: Targets for and impact on the mass transit segment

The European Commission’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility strategy: Targets for and impact on the mass transit segment

February 11, 2021 | , ,

The existing vehicle fleet has a small proportion of low- and zero-emission vehicles. To boost the uptake of such vehicles, the commission will propose a revised CO2 standard for cars and vans by June 2021. Secondly, the commission will adopt regulations to ensure that the batteries available in the European market are sustainable and safe for their entire life cycle. Overall, the flagship area focuses on increasing the use of electric and hydrogen fuel technology in all transport fleets.

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Revision of the TEN-E Regulation: Future-proofing Europe’s energy infrastructure

Revision of the TEN-E Regulation: Future-proofing Europe’s energy infrastructure

January 15, 2021 | ,

The EC has adopted a proposal to revise the European Union (EU) rules on Trans-European Networks for Energy (the TEN-E Regulation). The need for this revision of the TEN-E framework was confirmed by the results of a thorough evaluation and stakeholder input. The move is aimed at supporting the modernisation of the continent’s cross-border energy infrastructure and the European Green Deal.

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