Finally, the EU policies will catch up with the rate of development of the business sector, which has been increasing rapidly for a number of years now. Instead of lagging behind national policies as in previous years, Brussels will show stamina in its policy development in 2007, overtaking the ambition level of the majority of Member States. The first example was already observed in October with the presentation of the Energy Efficiency Action Plan.

The growth in the sustainable energy business is an everlasting play between companies and governments. The companies earn money by introducing new technologies, while governments have to provide the right circumstances for sustainable energy business to be able to thrive. But now a real long-term EU Energy Policy is becoming clearer and clearer. This will help the sector to develop even faster. The renewable energy industry may even be able to develop like the Lisbon Agenda once required.

However, some issues need to be resolved. One is about targets. The question of whether targets are indicative or mandatory isn’t very interesting, as long as Member States take these targets seriously. Sectoral targets could be helpful, but don’t seem to be necessary, as long as they do not provide an escape for countries unwilling to put in the effort.

It is more important that targets be as smart as possible: Specified, Measurable, Acceptable, Realistic and Time framed. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that targets are defined at the national level. So a target of 20 or rather a 25% share of renewable energy in the EU in 2020 would have to be followed by some sort of burden sharing agreement by all Member States, akin to the division of emissions reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol. And although it might be too early for harmonising Member State renewable policies, a harmonised monitoring of results is extremely important.

But first: let’s rejoice the promising Communications from the European Commission from under the Christmas tree.

On behalf of the GreenPrices Newsdesk, have a nice Christmas and a sustainable New Year.

Rolf de Vos

Editor in Chief