PRESS RELEASE: CAN Europe’s energy compass for the new EU Commission

Brussels, 3 September 2024 – As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen prepares to announce the designated Commissioners and the mission letter for the new energy commissioner, CAN Europe is publishing its energy priorities for the new policy cycle 2024 – 2029. During the previous policy cycle, progressive EU energy policies made significant strides in increasing climate ambition. However, these efforts fall short to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The new European Commission must oversee the ambitious and robust implementation of existing legislation by Member States, while also delivering new proposals to cut energy demand, boost renewable energy deployment, phase out fossil fuels, and address social inequalities. CAN Europe’s energy compass key recommendations are:

Fully leverage energy demand reduction to achieve at least 20% energy savings by 2030 and halve energy demand by 2040.
Building a 100% Renewable Energy System, with an accelerated deployment of sustainable renewable energy sources
Phasing Out Fossil Fuels and avoiding false solutions, by implementing an action plan to phase out coal by 2030, fossil gas by 2035 and oil by 2040, and a framework for the decommissioning of fossil fuel infrastructure.
Ensuring a Socially Just Transition with a fair distribution of costs and benefits of the energy transition across society
Closing the Investment Gap with a European Social and Green Investment Plan that focuses on climate and nature-related investments and eliminates fossil fuel subsidies from national budgets and EU funding streams.

“The new Commission needs to lead a transformative shift towards accelerated climate action. The energy compass for the next policy cycle points to ambitious policies and robust implementation that will ensure a rapid, equitable, and sustainable transition from fossil fuels, to 100% renewable energy by 2040 at the latest. This direction is crucial for the EU to secure an energy transformation that aligns with science and maximises benefits for people and the planet.” said Cornelia Maarfield, Head of Energy, CAN Europe. The full paper “Energy Compass for the next policy cycle 2024-2029” available here.