The milestones in the European energy and climate change policy

The European approach to implement a common policy on climate change and energy started actively in 2006. From then on, the Commission and the Parliament has adopted a series of measures to establish solid cost-effective low carbon technologies.

2006, the Green Paper

The Green Paper set a common, coherent European Energy Policy and laid the foundations for secure, competitive and sustainable energy.

2007, the SET-Plan, the technology pillar of the EU's energy and climate policy

In 2007 the European Commission proposed a package of measures to achieve a series of ambitious targets on greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy. In addition, those measures proposed to create a true internal market for energy and to strengthen effective regulation.

The Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan), is a strategic plan to accelerate the development of cost-effective low carbon technologies.

The plan contains proposals for specific targets on:

Renewable energy (20% by 2020)
Biofuels (10% in transport by 2020)
Greenhouse gas emissions reduction (20% by 2020)

The plan aims to reach a 80% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 compared to 1990 levels.

2008, Climate action

On January 2008, the European Commission presented a package of proposals demonstrating that the EU’s climate change targets, which were agreed by EU leaders in 2007, are not only attainable but represent a major economic opportunity for Europe. The document set up a solid strategy by which Member States will be able to reach the target established by the SET Plan.

2008, Second Strategic Energy Review

To follow-up the actions taken in 2007, the Commission launched the Second Strategic Energy Review which focuses on Energy Security and on a Solidarity Action Plan.

The Review also takes the first steps towards identifying the challenges facing the energy area for the period 2020-2050 and the initiatives necessary in this context.

The Energy Security and Solidarity Action Plan focuse in particular on five areas:

Infrastructure needs and the diversification of energy supplies
External energy relations
Oil and gas stocks and crisis response mechanisms
Energy efficiency
Making the best use of the EU's indigenous energy resources.