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 Connie Hedegaard 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.