Achieving the EU’s Energy
Ambitions

Energy will be at the heart of the European Commission’s mandate. Even though the previous term saw a succession of crises, it also managed to define a common ambition of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Intermediate targets were defined for the medium term: a 55 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and its implementation through sector-specific policies grouped in the "Fit for 55" legislative package.

Numerous challenges currently stand in the way of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, particularly regarding the feasibility of the intermediate targets for 2030 and 2040. Meeting these deadlines and achieving complete decarbonization of the European economy will require a structural transformation of energy systems, integrating all available tools beyond the necessary renewable energy sources and energy efficiency alone. 

In this context, the Institut Montaigne proposes a series of three action notes to contribute to the ongoing debate on Europe’s decarbonization efforts. 

The current approach has several drawbacks: It does not account for all levers that can be mobilized by Member States and contravenes the principle of technological neutrality. To overcome the risk of institutional gridlock during upcoming negotiations, a strategic shift toward technological neutrality is essential.

This first note focuses on the evolution of the European energy–climate governance, seeking to define the best possible articulation between the competences of the EU and those of the Member States, while ensuring pragmatism and efficiency.

▸ Read the Policy Paper part 1

▸ Read the executive summary part 1

Replacing 70% of energy produced by fossil fuels is a massive task and will require a rapid and coordinated deployment of infrastructures dedicated to low-carbon energies (transformation, transport, distribution and storage).

This second paper puts forward solutions to achieve this in the form of a new European Energy Security Act (EESA). It would harmonize and unify administrative processes and support mechanisms in a bid to simplify existing regulation and processes, within a homogeneous framework with clear time limits. It would also give the Commission a role of ‘mediator’ to ensure that there is no over-transposition. It would also encompass all energy carriers of the transition (electricity, liquid and gaseous fuels, low-carbon heat) to secure their financing and economic model. Lastly, the EESA would create a new European financing instrument for networks, to meet the challenge posed by their considerable needs. 
 

▸ Read the Policy Paper part 2

▸ Read the summary part 2