E3G

The EU Strategic Energy Review

By Jennifer Morgan

Later today, European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs will give a press conference on the Commission’s proposed measures for an integrated Energy Policy for Europe.

This ‘Strategic Energy Review’ will be a major focus of the Spring meeting of the European Council in March 2007, and is the European Commission’s attempt to assess the current energy and climate security situation in Europe and devise an effective and strategic plan forward.

Up to this point in time, the European Union has pursued energy and climate strategies independently of each other, although they are inherently linked. Whether it be energy security issues, liberalisation of energy markets or climate security, each of these issues will benefit from a European strategy on how to deliver energy and climate security to its citizens.
E3G has assessed the issues at hand and brought them together into our own cohesive framework that maximizes the synergies to achieve energy and climate security - our proposals follow below and are also attached as a pdf document download.

We await with interest the final version of the European Commission paper, and will be making further comment here soon.

The EU Strategic Energy Review

Driving Investment in Clean and Secure Energy

The Strategic Energy Review, initiated by President Barroso and a main topic for the German Presidency of the EU in the first half of 2007, could decisively move Europe onto the investment path for a clean and secure energy system and infrastructure. This new energy system would provide stable energy services to European citizens, while achieving energy and climate security goals and acting as a stimulus for improved European economic performance. The European Council meeting of March 2007 provides a unique opportunity for Europe to forge a new integrated energy and climate security strategy which will set the benchmark for other major economies.

Over recent years the pervasive disconnection between energy security and climate goals has reduced Europe’s ability to deliver its internal policy objectives, and this in turn has reduced Europe’s global influence and leadership. These problems can only be overcome if European leaders grasp the opportunity of the strategic review; no single council formation can ensure the necessary integration. Without ambitious, clear and integrated action Europe will be unable to drive global cooperation to deliver its 2°C climate security goal.

European citizens expect stable energy services and want to see action to deliver climate security. Only through European cooperation can the Member States deliver these outcomes for their citizens. This is the moment for European Union leaders to demonstrate how an effective Europe acting together can deliver security for its citizens.