RE100 Urges EU Policymakers To Support Businesses To Go 100% Renewable
Global 100% renewable energy initiative RE100 has published a new report urging European Union policymakers to revise energy legislation to support companies wanting to go 100% renewable energy, in an attempt to further the growth of renewable energy throughout the business community.
The report identifies a growing desire among European companies to transition to 100% renewable energy sources for their electricity demand. The authors explain that “Energy can be securely supplied with increased cost control, as well as helping to position businesses as progressive and forward thinking leaders in their sectors,” however, it is not always easy for businesses to accomplish this goal, something that could be mitigated by improved policy assurance. The report calls for priority access, ambitious targets, and transformational changes from European Union energy policy to better support companies in their goals to meet their electricity demands with renewable energy.
In turn, the potential policy changes would help the region reach its own energy policy targets, including making the EU a renewable energy world leader, further promoting a single market for energy, and creating a consumer focused market.
“More companies than ever before are committed to bold climate action because it makes business sense,” said Damian Ryan, Acting CEO at The Climate Group. “But to ensure that many more are able to reach 100% renewable power, governments at all levels need to set or raise the ambition of long-term supportive policies. The Climate Group wants to help to drive practical solutions that will unlock much-needed low carbon investment to deliver a prosperous, zero-emissions economy.”
The report was written by independent global think tank E3G on behalf of RE100, and sets out policy measures that would provide EU companies easier access to renewable power, as well as providing greater control over energy costs and fostering long-term business stability. Primary among these recommendations is the need to ensure that the 2020 targets continue to apply after 2020, and act as the minimum baseline for future 2030 targets.
The report also argues that all EU member states are vital to the greater target of achieving 27% renewable energy by 2030.
“Renewable energy is the future and if the European Union wants to retain its competitive edge it must unleash its potential before it’s too late,” said Simon Skillings, the report author and a Senior Associate at E3G. “That means making it cheap and easy to procure renewable electricity to empower its energy consumers.”
“Increasing policy ambition for renewable energy deployment will remain important over the coming decades and progressive businesses have a key role to play in encouraging and supporting moves by policy makers in this direction,” the authors of the report write. “However, it may be possible for consumers to play a more direct role in driving forward the energy transition through their demand for renewable electricity and the associated products and services that will form part of a modern, clean and efficient energy system.
“This would require that the demand from consumers for renewable electricity begins to drive deployment at a level that would go beyond the targets being set by governments.”
The report highlights the role of the 83 members of RE100 — which includes names like Apple, Microsoft, BMW, and Starbucks — but notes that it is now time to ensure that 100% renewable energy opportunities are within the range of a broad range of business consumers.
The full report is available here (PDF), which includes detailed specific policy recommendations.
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