Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-03-07-Speech-1-107"
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"en.20050307.13.1-107"2
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". Mr President, I agree with the sentiment underlying these questions: how to find solutions to the challenges as a response to our Kyoto obligations, to high oil and gas prices, and how to deal with Europe’s increasing reliance on imported hydrocarbon. These are key issues for the new Commission, as I have already indicated to Parliament.
I think that the most important direct effect on our economy will, however, come from strong policy action to increase energy efficiency throughout our society. It is estimated that 20% of our total energy use could be saved in a cost-efficient way. Not only would energy efficiency save money, it will also create jobs in Europe and be of benefit to the environment. That is why the Commission has made eco-technologies one of the political priorities in the Lisbon Agenda.
It is my conviction that environmental goals, security of supply and competitiveness go very well together. The Commission has proved in the past that it is ready to take action in this field. I certainly intend to make a real effort to reinforce these policies.
The whole point of a coherent energy policy is to develop a package of mutually reinforcing policies that together achieve the three core objectives: competitiveness, sustainable development and security of supply.
Let me first of all address the issue of our external dependency on oil. The latest oil price increases are a strong reminder that the oil market remains volatile. It is clear that the current and future competition for hydrocarbons resources does and will continue to affect the global security of supply and economic growth. My concern is even higher when we look at energy forecasts. If nothing is done, energy imports by 2030 could amount to 70% of total needs.
We should of course continue our policy of diversification and our dialogue with the producer countries. However, because of the degree of dependency, the European Union has little room for manoeuvre to influence energy supply. In addition, our own energy sources are either low or, in certain cases, less competitive. It is therefore essentially on the demand side that the EU can and should intervene. That is why I believe that the Union should concentrate on guiding and steering demand.
Against this backdrop, the European Commission has already committed itself to actions designed to diversify the different energy sources, to promote energy efficiency and support renewables. All those actions point to a reduction in the use of hydrocarbons in our society and a decrease in their share of the energy mix. As I have already announced, I will continue and strengthen the EU’s actions in these fields. I will make a special effort on energy efficiency. Stronger action on energy efficiency will not only benefit our security of supply, but also other key objectives including those linked to the Lisbon Agenda. This spring I will present a green paper on energy efficiency to outline my ideas.
Although I understand the intention of honourable Members to cross-subsidise renewable energy, I am afraid that it will be difficult to judge what ‘windfall’ profits are, or what ‘too much involvement in enterprise policy’ is. It will also be difficult to tell companies how to spend their profits. At the same time I am following the advice of honourable Members.
I have also to point out that major oil companies, such as BP, Shell, Repsol and Total, have already started substantial research, development and deployment activities in renewable energies and CO2 capture and storage. In my discussions with them I always stress the importance of their playing an increasingly active role in this area. In my further contacts with the oil companies active in the European Union area I will, therefore, strongly encourage their commitment to research into and development of renewable energies and CO2 capture and storage. Having said that, I have to stress that the European Union has in recent years established a framework for the promotion of renewables that is unique in the world, with directives on the promotion of green electricity and biofuels. A spin-off from these directives has been the development of support systems in most Member States and a continuation of the leading role of the EU in eco-technology.
Moreover, the Commission has been actively supporting research into and the demonstration and use of alternative forms of energy. This is expected to continue in the coming years. In this respect, I have to mention in particular the co-financing of the research and development activities, in particular the financial support for the research and technological development phases, and for the demonstration of large-scale installations and the penetration of these new technologies into the market. Such financial support is currently made available under the Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. In this context, the proposal of the Commission regarding the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, which is planned to be adopted in April 2005, will open the interinstitutional debate on the key European Union priorities for research and technological development for the coming years.
Now I would like to come to the issue of environmental goals and competitiveness. The European commitments, not least those related to climate change, have been translated into a number of operational targets in energy policy that at the same time promote the competitiveness of our industry. Therefore, the environmental goals are fully integrated into the energy policy objectives and instruments. One good example is Directive 2001/77/EC on green electricity, which has generated an extra effort with regard to the production and installation of windmills. A significant number of jobs has been created in this new and rapidly growing industry, where some European countries are now world market leaders. Another example is the directive on biofuels. The production of these fuels not only contributes to meeting our Kyoto targets, but also has a positive effect on rural development and therefore on our global economy."@en1
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