In its approach, the Commission is preoccupied with the security of supply. Any energy policy which fails to address how we use our energy is naive and short-sighted. We need a new approach, which puts efficient use of energy at the center of the new EU energy policy. This is particularly true for the transport sector. 96% of the energy used in the transport sector comes from oil. We cannot reduce our oil dependency without tackling our oil-guzzling transport sector.

—Claude Turmes, Vice-president of the Greens/EFA Group

The EC Green Paper. The EC documents proposes six priority areas leading to the development of a reinvigorated and unified European Energy Policy:

• The completion of an internal European energy market, with new measures such as a European energy grid code, a priority European interconnection plan, a European Energy Regulator and new initiatives to ensure a level playing field, particularly regarding the unbundling of networks from competitive activities.

• Security of supply in the internal market, including possible measures such as the establishment of a European Energy Supply Observatory and a revision of the existing Community legislation on oil and gas stocks to ensure they can deal with potential supply disruptions.

• A more sustainable, efficient and diverse energy mix.

• A series of measures to address the challenges of global warming. The Commission is putting forward possible steps for an Action Plan on energy efficiency necessary for the EU to save 20% of the energy that it would otherwise consume by 2020.

• The development of a strategic plan to focus on energy-efficiency and low-carbon technologies.

• The need for a common external energy policy

The Greens/EFA Vienna Declaration. The Greens/EFA strategy paper, called the Vienna Declaration, responds with eight proposed actions:

• Establishing security of supply by reducing oil demand. “Getting swiftly out of oil without delay must be a key policy for EU.”

• Recognizing that transport policy is energy policy, and acting accordingly. The Vienna Declaration calls for the European Commission to develop a master plan for reducing oil use through:

  • Raising efficiency standards, notably of cars and trucks;
  • A partnership with large EU cities to develop soft mobility chains and public transport systems;
  • An EU policy for a single railway system and better train connections;
  • Fair competition between all transport modes through ensuring internalization of all external social and environmental costs of the different transport means, beginning with road and air transport;
  • The increased use of certain environmentally-, socially- and climate-friendly biofuels, electrified systems and fuel-cells, based on renewable sources; and
  • The introduction a windfall profit tax on big oil companies.

• Not overestimating the impact of the EU on the world energy market. Focusing on the fields where Europe is both in a political and a technological leader such as urban transport, energy efficiency and renewables, the paper suggests, will be not only lead to better results for the global climate but also for EU businesses.

• Increasing the competitiveness of the European energy market through a series of policy actions designed to redress what the group sees as inequitable and anti-competitive developments within the market.

• Establishing a merit-based hierarchy for the different energy options. These include changes in mode of transport, realizing the full potential of energy efficiency and conservation, securing the massive uptake of renewable energy sources and behavioral changes. The group calls for the exclusion of nuclear energy as an option.

• Establishing a new energy policy for Europe to become the most energy-efficient economy in the world by 2020.

• Aggressively supporting the development of renewables.

• Establishing a hierarchy of partnerships for energy and transport efficiency and the development of renewable energy.

Resources:

• European Commission Green Paper

• The Vienna Declaration: A Sustainable Energy Policy for Europe