Ivan Scrase Senior Climate Change Policy Officer, The RSPB.
National governments agree that greenhouse gas emissions must go down, but disagree on the policy details. In particular they disagree on the role of renewables and energy efficiency, and whether any new targets should be binding on national governments. What comes after the clear targets and policies for climate and energy up to 2020 in Europe, is stil unclear and some key decisions will be taken in the next few weeks, with huge implications for nature conservation.
BirdLife Europe and the RSPB support a switch to sustainable renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. We recognise that will require a lot of grid development, and want to make sure both the renewables and the new power lines are delivered without harming nature. That’s why we are members of the Renewables Grid Initiative, a unique coalition of NGOs and progressive electricity transmission system operators (TSOs).
Today the RGI issued a statement supporting a 2030 climate and energy policy framework with clear, ambitious objectives for the development of renewables. The RGI calls on the European Council to agree on an ambitious and coherent set of binding targets for 2030 for greenhouse gas emissions reductions, energy efficiency and renewable energy. “Industry and civil society have come to a common understanding of what is urgently needed now”, said Antonella Battaglini, Executive Director of RGI.
I'd agree: it's great to see grid operators and green NGOs on the same page on renewables, energy efficiency and climate. It's essential that European leaders take notice and back an ambitious and binding framework for the coming decade, for the sake of nature and future generations.
"Climate change will drive mass extinctions if we don't switch to sustainable renewable energy”, said Angelo Caserta, Regional Director BirdLife Europe. “But nature is already in crisis, and the transition itself needs to take nature protection seriously too. With this statement the RGI and its partners have, once again, shown leadership in making sure renewables investment, grid development and nature protection are mutually beneficial."
So, it's up to the EU to make the right decisions for our energy future - it matters for wildlife. We'll be presssing them all the way.