EU states losing appetite for big energy commitments

With only two weeks to go before an energy mini-summit, to be held by EU economy ministers (14-15 February), member states are losing their appetite to abide by targets tabled in the European Commission’s energy package last month.

Brussels’ push for renewable energy to yield 20 percent of EU consumption and for biofuels to account for a minimum 10 percent of EU transport fuel consumption by 2020, is being challenged by several EU capitals that prefer to drop the word “binding” in it.
“We are firmly behind the main obligation to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 percent by 2020,” sources say, but added they need their hands untied to decide how to fulfil that goal.

Diplomats confirmed to EUobserver that France, the UK and Slovakia are among those pushing for greater flexibility, while for example Denmark only opposes the obligatory sub-target created for biofuels.

“Each member state should be free to define its own energy mix,” one diplomat said, underlining that “room to manoeuvre varies due to different national circumstances, possibilities and starting points.”

EU Observer