Renewables

Preparation of the European Council (23-24 October 2014)

Plenary speech by Philippe Lamberts

2030 is the next crucial milestone for European climate and energy policy; without ambitious and binding targets for renewables, energy efficiency and, greenhouse gases, the EU will struggle to make up the lost ground in the years that follow.

EU summit

European climate and energy policy risks being undone

For the Greens, there is a real risk that this week's summit could undo EU climate and energy policy if EU leaders follow the weak proposals set out by the European Commission.

Preparation of the European Council (23-24 October 2014)

Plenary speech by Philippe Lamberts

Election of the Commission

Greens/EFA motion for resolution

The Greens/EFA consider that this College has got the priorities wrong and that the overall composition, the allocation of key-portfolios and above all the policy direction are not what Europeans need to face Europe’s deep social and environmental crisis and meet the challenges of this century.

Spanish Veto on Renewables

15.10.2014

an unsustainable and anti-European decision

Join us for an event at the Parliament on the negative impact of the new Spanish legislation on solar energy. In recent years, Spain was being a leading country in solar energy. Not only renewables were progressively growing inside the global electrical "share" of our country, but a true ...

Spain missing out on renewable energy potential

Press Release from EFA MEP Jordi Sebastià

The Spanish government's effective veto on renewable energy has been condemned at an event in Brussels organised by Valencian MEP Jordi Sebastià. A controversial subsidy system for renewable energy exists in Spain. Around one third of Spain's energy is currently produced from renewable sources and ...

Nuclear power/state aid

UK's Hinkley deal waved through as Barroso Commission gives nuclear boost with parting shot

The European Commission today gave approval to plans by the UK government to give public support for the construction of a new nuclear power plant at Hinkley, provided certain adjustments are made to the contract (1). Commenting on the reports and the Greens' opposition, UK Green MEP and economics s...

European commissioner hearings

Cosy deal ensures problematic candidates get green light in spite of theatrics

The relevant European Parliament committees this evening voted on the remaining candidates for the European Commission for whom decision had been outstanding. The Greens/EFA group expressed regret that a pre-agreed deal between the bigger groups in the European Parliament meant some majorly problema...

Press Briefing Note

What is the Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear subsidy case and why is it so important?

The European Commission plans this Wednesday 8 October to take a final state aid decision on: THE UK’s €20 BILLION OFFER ... The UK government has offered a package of operating subsidies and other measures to enable the construction of two new nuclear power plants at Hinkley Point in SW England. The twin 1600 megawatt reactors would be built and owned by a consortium of four firms, two French and two Chinese, with Électricité de France (EDF) in the lead.

Climate and energy policy under Team Juncker

Green MEP Claude Turmes gives a gloomy initial assessment

So, overall, are you happy with the proposal from Jean Claude Juncker? I am not particularly happy with the proposal from Jean-Claude Juncker. The structure he has proposed for the new Commission appears to be based on promoting an outdated approach of economic growth at the cost of the environmen...

EU Commission - Greens criticise possible merger of the climate and energy portfolios

Climate blog

On Thursday 4th September a group of several MEPs including Green members wrote to the new Head of the Commission Jean Claude Juncker to warn him about the decision to merge energy and climate portfolios.

'Åland ruling'

Stop Climate Change Blog - European Court of Justice confirms the compatibility of national support schemes for renewables with the EU Treaty

Early July, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) decided on the Ålands Vindkraft case (C-573/12) and reaffirmed the conformity of the Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC) with the EU Treaty, notably on the prerogative of national renewable energy support schemes....