European Commission
united-kingdom

11 January 2006

Energy and climate change package to cut emissions

The European Commission has proposed a comprehensive package of measures to establish a new energy policy for Europe to combat climate change and boost the EU's energy security and competitiveness. The package of proposals set a series of ambitious targets on greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy and aim to create a true internal market for energy and strengthen regulation. The Commission believes that when an international agreement is reached on the post-2012 framework this should lead to a 30% cut in emissions from developed countries by 2020. It is proposed that the European Union commits now to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% by 2020, in particular through energy measures. The Commission is also proposing a binding target of 20% of energy from renewables sources by 2020 and increased energy efficiency with the aim of saving 20% of total energy consumption again by 2020. The energy and climate change proposals will be considered by EU leaders at the European Council in March and thereafter the Commission will come forward with legislation in light of these discussions. All the documents can be found at http://ec.europa.eu/energy/energy_policy/index_en.htm

IP/07/29

Commission energy sector inquiry confirms serious competition problems

The European Commission has published its final report on the energy sector competition inquiry, concluding that consumers and businesses are losing out because of inefficient and expensive gas and electricity markets. Particular problems include high levels of market concentration; vertical integration of supply, generation and infrastructure leading to a lack of equal access to, and insufficient investment in infrastructure; and, possible collusion between incumbent operators to share markets. To tackle these problems, the Commission will pursue follow up action in individual cases under the competition rules (anti-trust, merger control and state aids) and act to improve the regulatory framework for energy liberalisation. The Commission has already conducted a number of inspections in companies where these particular issues warrant investigation. Further information on the sector inquiry is available at: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/competition/antitrust/others/sector_inquiries/energy/

IP/07/26

Commission allocates €15.5 million in humanitarian aid to Myanmar/Burma

The European Commission has allocated €15.5 million in humanitarian aid for vulnerable groups in Burma/Myanmar and to Burmese refugees along the Myanmar-Thai border. Aid will be provided in the health, food aid, nutrition, water and sanitation sectors, as well as for the protection of certain threatened groups. Click here for further information.

IP/07/27

EU Business

• An informal meeting of EU justice and home affairs ministers takes place on 14-16 January in Dresden. Discussions will focus on strengthening cross-border police cooperation by incorporating the Prüm Treaty (on counter-terrorism) into the EU legal framework, the future of judicial cooperation in the fields of family and succession law, as well as cross-border use of IT in the justice sector.
• The European Parliament meets in plenary session in Strasbourg on 15-18 January 2007. Further details at www.europarl.org.uk
• Germany's six month Presidency of the EU began on 1 January 2007 and continues with an informal meeting of employment and social policy ministers on 18-20 January in Berlin. The German Presidency website is www.eu2007.de/en/