The European Council meeting on 20-21 March had been scheduled to discuss growth and jobs, industrial competitiveness, and the Commission’s 2030 climate and energy proposals. The Council conclusions commit to taking a decision on the 2030 greenhouse gas target “no later than October 2014”.
The European Council conclusions confirm that “the specific EU target for greenhouse gas emission reductions will be fully in line with the agreed ambitious EU objective for 2050”. No numbers are given, but it is stated that the target should “confirm the EU's role globally” ahead of the 2015 international climate negotiations at the Paris COP21 conference, and should be agreed “no later than October 2014”. This process to agreement will include a stock taking at the June meeting of the European Council, ahead of the UN Climate Summit in September 2014.
As important as the timeline, the conclusions also emphasise that the 2030 framework should be based on key principles: improved coherence between greenhouse gas emissions reduction, energy efficiency and the use of renewables and deliver the objectives for 2030 in a cost-effective manner, with a reformed Emissions Trading System playing a central role develop a supportive EU framework for advancing renewable energies and ensure international competitiveness ensuring security of energy supply for households and businesses at affordable and competitive prices while providing flexibility for the member states as to how they deliver their commitments.
Regarding renewables, the Council refers to the Commission study on energy prices and calls for “sustained efforts” to moderate the energy costs borne by energy end-users, in particular through “a progressive evolution of support mechanisms for renewables to a more cost-effective and market-based system and more convergence of national support schemes beyond 2020”.
Energy efficiency and demand-side management are highlighted as a priority for R&D investment and as a means to reduce Europe's high gas energy dependency rates. The European Council calls on the Commission to conduct an in-depth study of EU energy security by June 2014 together with “a comprehensive plan for the reduction of EU energy dependence”.
