Our Activities: European Policy > Recent position papers and policy recommendations
Climate Alliance’s statement on The Urban Dimension of the EU Transport Policy
Following the consultation launched by the European Commission on “The urban dimension of the EU transport policy“, Climate Alliance provided proposals on how the EU-level could best contribute to high-quality and sustainable urban mobility. Our key messages include the need to support local strategies and to find consistent and long term financing for sustainable local transport systems. Much work is needed in order to achieve the ambitious objective of GHG emissions by at least 60% by 2050 in the transport sector.
- Statement (718 KB)
- Further information on the consultation: http://ec.europa.eu
Climate Alliance’s Statement on the Future of the Intelligent Energy Europe programme
The current IEE programme considers local authorities as an important target group in the field of sustainable energy and climate change mitigation. It finances the Covenant of Mayors initiative, the most successful European initiative related to sustainable energy. The Covenant of Mayors currently brings together more than 4,000 local authorities, with 166 million European citizens, committed to reducing their CO2 emissions at least by 20% by 2020. Climate Alliance in its amendment proposals, sent to the members of the European Parliament in June, highlighted the need of introducing explicitly the key elements of the IEE Programme within the Horizon 2020. As a response to the consultation on the future of the Intelligent Energy Europe programme, Climate Alliance highlighted that the programme should have a clear focus on local and regional energy action. Local and regional authorities can apply an integrated approach providing multiple benefits for energy policy but also social inclusion and green growth.
- Statement (542 KB)
Climate Alliance's Statement on the EU Adaptation Strategy
The European Adaptation Strategy is set to respond to the impacts of climate change in the EU, its Member States and regions, down to the local level. Climate Alliance wants to highlight that the adaptation to climate change should be perceived as an important part of climate policy and that it should be integrated from EU wide regulatory procedures down to local planning. Even if adaptation is largely a local issue, the European level has a great potential in pushing forward the adaptation agenda through awareness raising, integrating climate issues in the existing and new policy initiatives and in supporting future research and concrete projects in this field.
- Climate Alliance's statement supporting the on-line consultation on the EU Adaptation Strategy (620 KB)
Amendment proposals on the European Commission proposal establishing Horizon 2020 - The Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020)
On 15 June 2012 Climate Alliance sent amendment proposals to the members of the European Parliament, highlighting the need of introducing explicitly the key elements of the IEE Programme within the Horizon 2020 Framework programme. A separate sub-programme with its own identity (similar to the IEE programme) with a focus on sustainable energy policy, capacity building and mobilizing financing, should be included in the Horizon 2020 (under chapter 3: Secure, clean and efficient energy).
- Amendment proposals (385 KB)
Financial Support for Energy Efficiency in Buildings
The current economic situation in Europe creates concerns and barriers for local sustainable energy action. More attention needs to be placed on introducing innovative financing models, and redefining and improving existing funding schemes. Also more incentives are needed to stimulate private investments. The European Commission consultation on "Financial Support for Energy Efficiency in Buildings" collected views on how to improve the current financial schemes targeting energy efficiency.
- Climate Alliance response to consultation “Financial Support for Energy Efficiency in Buildings” (431 KB)
- Further information about the consultation
Renewable Energy Strategy (post-2020)
As recently pointed out in the Commission's Energy Roadmap 2050, renewable energy sources will play a major part in Europe's long-term decarbonisation efforts. While the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC sets a clear framework for further growth in renewable energy until 2020, the debate about how our policy should develop beyond the 2020 horizon needs to start now. The European Commission is currently preparing a strategy document that will look at the policy framework for renewable energy in a post-2020 perspective, to be published in the second quarter of this year. In order to prepare the strategy the Commission has conducted a stakeholder consultation (closed 7 February 2012).
- Climate Alliance response to the consultation on the renewable energy strategy (300 KB)
Energy Efficiency Directive
The draft Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) is an attempt to set Europe in the course of achieving its 20% energy efficiency target by 2020. According to the European Commission Impact Assessment only 9% of energy savings will be achieved by 2016 – leaving a considerable reduction gap. If Europe is to meet its 20% energy efficiency target, a much more ambitious directive must be adopted
- Climate Alliance position paper on the EED (800 KB)
- Information on the Energy Efficiency Directive
Smart Cities and Communities Initiative
The Smart Cities and Communities Initiative aiming for energy efficiency and for accelerating the large scale deployment of innovative low carbon technologies will be launched in 2011. In order to receive feedback and additional ideas on this proposal, the European Commission organised a public consultation in the preparation stage of the initiative.
The Climate Alliance members’ debate on the Smart Cities and Communities initiative during the annual event of the network forms the response to the consultation.
- Outcomes of the Smart Cities debate (90 KB)
- Information on the Smart Cities and Communities initiative
Energy roadmap 2050
Energy Roadmap 2050 will follow the Roadmap for a Low-Carbon Economy by 2050 presenting different pathways on how to reach the ambitious CO2 reduction objective in the energy sector. It will address the EU energy policy objectives – sustainability, energy security and competitiveness, and focus on how energy security and competitiveness can be improved throughout the transition to a low-carbon energy system. Climate Alliance response highlighted the need for a coherent step by step approach, better involvement of local level and ambitious work in energy efficiency and renewable energy.
- Climate Alliance response to the Energy Roadmap 2050 questionnaire (85 KB)
- Background information on Energy Roadmap 2050
Roadmap for a low carbon economy by 2050
Achieving a very ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction target – up to 95% less of CO2 - requires a new strategy in Europe, which will be developed in the form of a roadmap. Climate Alliance contributed to the first step developments of this roadmap by responding to the European Commission's consultation on the subject. Key topics of our response are the prioritisation of decentralised energy supply based on renewable energy and a reinforcement of the local level in the design of energy policies in Europe.
- Low carbon economy 2050 - Climate Alliance's response (90 KB)
- EU's Roadmap for a low carbon economy by 2050
Energy 2020. A strategy for competitive, sustainable and secure energy
The energy priorities for the next ten years and the actions to be taken are defined in the communication "Energy 2020" of the European Commission. Climate Alliance contributed to the development of the strategy by responding to the public consultation of the European Commission's stock taking document "Towards a new Energy Strategy for Europe 2011-2020". The five top priorities of the new strategy are saving energy, achieving a market with competitive prizes and secure supplies, boosting technological leadership, and effectively negotiate with international partners. The strategy establishes a basis for concrete legislative initiatives and proposals of the Commission and also sets the agenda for the prospective discussion by Heads of States and Governments.
- EU stock taking document "Towards a new Energy Strategy for Europe 2011-2020" (80 KB)
- Climate Alliance's response to the EU's stock taking document (90 KB)
The Climate Alliance resolution takes a strong view on the need to phase-out nuclear energy and to create a more efficient and decentralised energy supply system based on renewable energy.
Climate Alliance urges the European Commission to allocate the unspent funds from the European Economic Recovery Plan to actions of cities on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources and stimulation of "new" climate friendly economies.
Public procurement is an important strategic domain for climate protection. Responsibly designed public procurement can significantly contribute to a sustainable development. For this reason Climate Alliance advices cities and communities to include ecological, social and ethic concerns in their procurement decisions.
Working towards a 100% renewable energy goal
Climate Alliance organised a joint event with EUBIA at the European Sustainable Energy Week 2010 on 24th of March. More information and a summary of the event can be found here.
Climate Alliance also supports the RE-thinking 2050 - Initiative (EREC): A 100% Renewable Energy Vision for the European Union.
