The IPCC has warned that we are entering code red for humanity: 2°C warming will be exceeded within this century unless we make deep reductions in GHG emissions. We need to act now to accelerate the clean energy transition: an at least 45% renewable energy target will ensure the EU meets its international climate commitments.
While through the European Green Deal the European Union is making important progress, more ambition is needed. The 40% renewable energy target by 2030 proposed by the European Commission is a step in the right direction, but we must go further and faster. A 40% renewable target is incompatible with the EU’s 2030 GHG reduction target and the Paris Agreement commitment to limit temperature rise to below 1.5 C.
We are calling for an at least 45% renewable energy target by 2030 to meet our Paris Agreement commitments and avert the most dangerous effects of climate change. It is the most cost-efficient pathway to climate neutrality and would ensure the EU’s 55% GHG emission reduction target is met, in line with the 1.5 Paris Agreement scenario, according to LUT University.
Signatories
Anthony Patt, Professor of Climate Policy at ETH Zürich
Christian Breyer, Professor of Solar Economy at Lappeenranta University of Technology
François Gemenne, Director of the Hugo Observatory, University of Liège
Joana Portugal Pereira, Assistant Professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
Ignacio Perez Arriaga, Professor at Comillas University and Florence School of Regulation, Visiting Professor at MIT
Dirk Hendricks, Secretary General EREF
Dirk Vansintjan, President REScoop.eu
Eckart Würzner, President Energy Cities
Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO Hydrogen Europe
Marcel Bial, Secretary General ESTELA
Pedro Dias, Secretary General Solar Heat Europe
Philippe Dumas, Secretary General EGEC
Rémi Gruet, CEO Ocean Energy Europe
Thomas Nowak, Secretary General European Heat Pump Association
Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO SolarPower Europe
Julie Beaufils, Secretary General EuropeOn
The #Yesto45RES campaign has also been endorsed by video message from:
Claude Turmes, Minister for Energy, Luxembourg
Jutta Paulus MEP, Greens/EFA ENVI member
Tiemo Wölken MEP, S&D ENVI Co-ordinator
Read the full letter
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The 45% RES Target is most important for the European Union. First of all since we have a dramatic climate emergency, with fast escalating impact – just think about the fast disappearing ice masses, whether its Greenland or the major tipping point in Antarctica. All this may lead to several metres of increasing sea levels. We have an outstanding emergency that requires immediate action, and a 45% renewable energy target is most important
Professor for Solar Economy, LUT University
We need 45% because we are in climate urgency. We have lost years, decades, of not acting swift enough. Now we must move fast and big. Therefore we need a higher renewable energy target. That will be good for climate change. But it will also create hundreds of thousands of new additional jobs for Europe. Europe can be an industrial leader at global level whilst creating wealth in Europe, if we move quick and deep into renewables
Energy Minister, Luxembourg
A 45% renewable energy supply, or RES, target for 2030 will put us on the path to achieve our climate commitments – in the most cost-effective way. In the wake of COP 26, we must do everything we can to protect the planet from dangerous climate change, and Europeans from fossil-fuel price shocks
CEO of SolarPower Europe
The geothermal energy community says yes to an at least 45% renewable energy target. It is the most successful industrial strategy the EU has even undertaken,it has led to significant investment, sustainable jobs, sustainable economic growth within planetary boundaries, increased competitiveness. Importantly, it is the best way to address the twin energy and climate crisis that threaten us today
Head of Policy at European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC)
We need to increase the renewables target if we are serious about our climate goals. For example, when it comes to heat, which is half of the energy consumed in Europe, this decade is vital in order for us to transition completely to decarbonised solutions. Why? All heating systems we install after this decade will still be there in 2050, so they must be based on renewable heat
Communications Officer, Solar Heat Europe
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Bethany Meban
Senior Press and Communications Advisor
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