Phil Bennion

The European Biomass Agenda

Transcript

1. Phil Bennion West Midlands MEP
2. Energy Now Expo Thursday, 14th February 2013 Dr Phil Bennion, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the West Midlands
3. How the EP is reducing its own carbon footprint • Reduction of carbon dioxide emissions: reduce emissions by 20% by 2020 • Promotion of efficient use of energy, water and paper: 100% of electricity consumed by EP in Brussels, Strasbourg & Luxembourg derives from renewables • Introduction of best practices with regard to waste management: EP recycled 62% of its waste in 2011
4. EU Internal Energy Market • 2014 deadline set by European Heads of State for completion of the internal energy market. • Continual rise in energy prices, increasing global fuel demand and EU’s ageing energy systems. • Price comparisons and switching of energy suppliers thanks to an open and competitive EU energy market! • Pan-European technical rules • UK lagging behind our European partners: UK’s 2020 renewable energy sources target for whole energy sector is only 15%. 5% lower than EU-27
5. So what are the central aims of EU energy policy? • Two central aims of EU energy policy: • (1) Increasing security of energy supply • (2) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions • Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC • Liberal Democrats on ITRE Committee • Biomass Potential – the EU target: biomass could account for two-thirds of EU’s renewable energy target in 2020 • Biofuels - 5% cap • the EU REDD Facility
6. UK Coalition Government Energy Policies • Liberal Democrats in government: Ed Davey • Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) • Non-domestic RHI Scheme • Eligible Technologies • EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED) • UK’s Renewable Energy Roadmap
7. Brief Conclusion • Roundup of work at British and European levels • As a farmer why this work needs to be undertaken at both UK and EU levels