Assessing the state of Energy Union

The European Commission’s second report on the state of the Energy Union, delivered in February 2017, paints a picture of considerable progress just two years into the Energy Union strategy. The bulk of new legislative proposals have now been adopted by the Commission. Most are still under consideration in Parliament and Council, although in some cases an interinstitutional agreement has already been secured. The focus of 2017 is therefore negotiations towards the adoption of numerous legislative proposals already on the table, together with a more limited number of new initiatives.

The EU and its Member States are well on track to meet the targets of the 2020 climate and energy package in terms of promoting renewables, improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Continued effort is needed to meet the higher targets of the 2030 climate and energy framework. The Energy Union includes a series of concrete actions to implement the 2030 framework, yet the main EU Institutions have shown different levels of ambition in these fields.

A new legislative package on low emission mobility is expected in 2017, as well as ongoing actions across a wide range of energy-related areas. This includes measures to improve gas and electricity infrastructure, foster climate and energy diplomacy, and to advance research and innovation on energy technologies.

Author: Alex Benjamin Wilson

ESO: Key source: Energy Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/energy-union/

ESO: Background information: Second report on the State of the Energy Union (February 2017) http://www.europeansources.info/record/second-report-on-the-state-of-the-energy-union/

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