More than 75% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions come from energy use. To stay within the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target, CAN Europe calls for an urgent shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy and for the modernization of Europe’s grids. At the same time, we stress that households must not be burdened with excessive costs, and the most vulnerable consumers must be protected.
CAN Europe works for a European energy transition that prioritises social justice and energy efficiency while switching to a fully renewable energy system. Together with members, academia and experts, we developed our Paris Agreement compatible (PAC) energy scenario 2.0, as an updated vision, describing how Member States can achieve the Paris Agreement’s objective of limiting average global temperature increase to 1.5°C. In a bottom-up research process, we reflected both the required emission reductions as well as the potential of energy savings and renewables.
Given the global climate emergency, the EU can and must increase ambition. In the PAC 2.0 scenario, we call the EU to:
- Cut its emissions by at least 65% in 2030 instead of only 40% compared to the 1990 level.
- Get on a trajectory towards net zero emissions in 2040 instead of 2050.
- Base its energy supply on 100% renewables in 2040.
A timely response to climate change generates economic, social and environmental benefits alike for citizens.
Circular economy, deep renovation and electrification with renewables.
In the industry sector, we foresee that the circular economy decreases the raw material demand, makes it less energy-intensive, and in addition, also will begin to generate new value. Industrial processes electrify so that they can use renewable electricity. Only for high-temperature processes, e.g. for steel production, renewable hydrogen will be needed.
The buildings we’re living and working in will undergo a deep renovation wave around Europe. Tripling the current deep renovation rates will cut final energy demand by roughly two thirds. At this occasion, fossil heating systems will be replaced by electric heat pumps. Alternatively, a connection to a district heat network that distributes renewable heat.
In the transport sector, the remaining passenger cars will be used far more efficiently – as they will all be electrified by 2040. This will massively increase the use of renewable electricity for mobility needs. Liquid biofuels will only play a niche role. Modal shifts, access to public transport and rail connectivity are prioritised. Renewable hydrogen, renewable ammonia and liquid synthetic fuels are introduced in long-distance heavy-freight, shipping and aviation.
CAN Europe also urges policy-makers to prepare the energy infrastructure for 100% renewables through fostering flexibility instead of deepening our dependency on fossil fuels.
Ahead of the upcoming EU Grids Package, we urge the EU to ensure that Europe’s grids are renewables-ready, future-proof, and socially fair. In our joint call for evidence, CAN Europe and its members recommend the following actions:
- Boost public financing by expanding the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for electricity projects and allocating new EU and national funds for transmission and distribution.
- Accelerate permitting without environmental backsliding by fully implementing REDIII, addressing staffing shortages, and advancing digitalisation.
- Reform EU planning to be based on a 100% renewable scenario, with stronger independent oversight and full transparency.
- Resolve interconnection delays through direct intervention in stalled negotiations and by revising Cross-Border Cost Allocation rules.
- Optimise the existing grid with national Rapid Capacity Plans, increased storage and flexibility, and deployment of grid-enhancing technologies.
Put communities at the centre of new infrastructure through meaningful public participation, dedicated community grid capacity, and fair community benefit sharing.