The EU has strengthened its climate and energy policy and committed itself to ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost the share of renewable energy.
In recent years the EU has strengthened its climate and energy policy. Focus has been put on the need for combating climate change by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and relying increasingly on renewable energy sources rather than fossil fuels. At the same time work is being started on ensuring an integrated European energy market to benefit companies and consumers.
The EU has committed itself to a “20-20-20-plan” – a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions – rising to 30% as part of a binding international agreement; a 20% increase in renewable energy's share of overall energy consumption compared with 8.5% today; and a 20% reduction of energy consumption through energy efficiency by the year 2020.
In 2007 the European Council adopted a visionary action plan for energy:
An Energy Policy for Europe. The action plan is designed above all to lead to increased security of supply, keep European economies competitive, promote environmental sustainability and combat climate change.
The Minister for Climate and Energy Lykke Friis represents Denmark in the
Council of the European Union in negotiations over climate and energy issues on the EU's political agenda. At the moment the main issues include transposition of the
climate and energy package, ongoing
liberalisation of the EU energy markets and enhanced
energy security. Negotiations are also in progress regarding a large number of legislative acts aimed at better
energy efficiency, strengthening
energy technologies and adapting to climate change.