Innovation and EU 2030 climate & energy policy

Can the new EU 2030 climate and energy proposals drive European innovation and competitive edge? And what can be done to ensure this opportunity becomes Europe’s reality?

Register HERE for Energy Post’s first debate in Brussels, held in partnership with Shell. Just days before European Heads of State and Government meet to discuss the new 2030 energy and climate proposals, Energy Post’s Sonja van Renssen will chair a debate on climate, energy and industrial policy, bringing together guest speakers including:

• Dominique Ristori, Director General for Energy at the European Commission
• David Clarke, CEO of the Energy Technologies Institute
• Marco Landolfi, Coordinator for Energy, Transport and Telecommunications at the Italian Permanent Representation to the EU, on behalf of of the incoming Italian EU Presidency
• Dick Benschop, President of Shell Netherlands

Europe has carved out a niche for itself in new energy technologies. It held 40% of all renewable energy patents in the last decade – more than the US. EU energy-intensive goods still dominate global export markets – despite the US shale gas revolution – thanks to energy efficiency improvements. These achievements have come paired with job creation, even during the economic recession. But what have been the costs and could these goals have been delivered in more cost-effective ways?

Now the EU stands on the brink of a new phase in climate and energy policy: a second climate and energy package, this time for 2030, with a new emphasis on competitiveness. Everyone agrees innovation is essential. The question is: what policies can best drive it?

The EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) with its flagging carbon price? What can the EU ETS deliver either with or without specific targets for energy efficiency and/or low-carbon energy technologies such as wind, solar, bioenergy and carbon capture and storage? What is the role of R&D support and EU funding to support the demonstration of promising technologies that could lead to large emission reductions and more highly skilled European jobs? Which industries are leading the pack in energy innovation? How can Europe cut emissions by at least 80% by 2050 and deliver energy and economic security at the same time?

These are just some of the questions we will be asking on 17th March. Join us to find out more or supply some answers.