Brussels [Belgium], October 10: The use of low-carbon energy from sources like wind, solar and water in the European Union will have to be expanded significantly, under a new law finalized on Monday.
Renewable energy is to account for at least 42.5 percent of total energy consumption in the EU by 2030, according to a directive approved by EU countries on Monday.
Member states are encouraged to go beyond the binding target to reach 45 percent, a press release said.
Countries will have to contribute to reaching targets in different sectors, including transport, industry, buildings, heating and cooling, a press release said. The new target replaces the previous target of achieving a 32 percent share of renewable energy by 2030.
In Germany, the share of renewable energies was 20.4 percent in 2022, according to the Federal Environment Agency.
The new rules are based on a proposal by the European Commission. The European Parliament and EU states then negotiated the details of the legislation. The parliament formally backed the law in mid-September. Reacting to the approval, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was "very happy" that the EU's legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions drastically was on track.
"This is an important sign to Europe and to our global partners that the green transition is possible, that Europe is delivering on its promises," she said. The new law will enter into force 20 days after the publication of the legal text. Member countries then have 18 months to transpose the new EU rules into national law.
In March all member states in the European Parliament voted in support of the measure except Hungary and Poland voting against and the Czech Republic and Bulgaria abstaining.
Source: Qatar Tribune
