Annexes to COM(2007)723 - A European strategic energy technology plan (SET-plan) - 'Towards a low carbon future' - Main contents
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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2007)723 - A European strategic energy technology plan (SET-plan) - 'Towards a low carbon future'. |
|---|---|
| document | COM(2007)723  |
| date | November 22, 2007 |
The measures proposed in the SET-Plan (e.g. the Steering Group, European Industrial Initiatives and the European Energy Research Alliance) should bring about a reinforced international cooperation strategy. We also need to ensure that the EU increasingly speaks with one voice in international fora, where appropriate, to achieve a more coherent and stronger partnership effect.
8. TAKING THE WORK FORWARD
Today, the energy technology innovation process is based on national programmes and incentives, using national resources to meet national objectives and targets. This model fits a bygone era of cheap energy and no carbon constraints. To bring about the dramatic changes in the macroscopic energy landscape that will be necessary in the 21st Century, a new policy needs to be pursued.
The Commission therefore calls on the Council and Parliament to:
- Reaffirm that energy technology forms a fundamental pillar of Europe’s Energy and Climate Change policies, and is vital to achieve our decarbonisation targets.
- Endorse a Community objective to jointly and strategically plan energy research and innovation efforts in alignment with EU energy policy goals. A governance structure will be set up in 2008.
- Confirm that a better and more effective implementation of current energy research and innovation efforts is fundamental and specifically:
- Commit to set up a series of key European Industrial Initiatives, starting in 2008;
- Endorse the need to strengthen European energy research capacities by better integrating EU energy research centres in a European Energy Research Alliance. A structured dialogue will commence in 2008 to achieve this goal;
- Endorse the Commission's proposal to initiate an action to strategically plan the transition to low carbon energy networks and systems in Europe.
- Confirm that a better use of and overall increase in resources, both financial and human, are needed to accelerate the development and deployment of low-carbon technologies of the future.
- Welcome the Commission's intentions to prepare in 2008 a Communication on financing low carbon technologies.
- Agree on the need to reinforce international cooperation – to implement a coherent and differentiated strategy in relation to developed, developing and emerging economies.
[1] European Council conclusions adopted on the basis of the Commission's Energy Package, e.g. the Communications: 'An Energy Policy for Europe' COM(2007)1, 'Limiting global climate change to 2 degrees Celsius' COM(2007)2 and 'Towards a European Strategic Energy Technology Plan' COM (2006)847
[2] Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change – UK HM Treasury
[3] COM(2007)140 of 28.3.2007, Green Paper on market based instruments
[4] e.g. 'Global Trends in Sustainable Ene[5]8BMrgy Investment 2007', United Nations Environment Programme and New Energy Finance Ltd.
[6] COM(2006)728 of 22.11.2006 on the use of tax incentives in favour of R&D
[7] COM(2007)571 of 9.10.2007
[8] See Commission Staff Working Documents SEC(2007)1510 'Technology Map' and SEC(2007)1511 'Capacities Map'
[9] SESAR COM(2005)602 of 25.11.2005, Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative COM(2007)571 9.10.2007, and 'Clean Sky' Joint Technology Initiative COM(2007)315 of 13.06.2007