EU Commission wants 'dedicated' renewables target post-2030

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on Euractiv or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: A draft Commission document seen by Euractiv shows the EU executive intends to propose a dedicated renewable energy law and a 2040 renewables target
• The paper states that an updated renewables framework is required after 2030, rejecting calls to fold nuclear into the same framework as solar and wind

🔭 The context: A French-led alliance of 14 member states has pushed to place nuclear on equal footing with renewables in EU climate and energy policy
• The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive has been revised three times, and officials are now overhauling it alongside the governance and energy efficiency rules, with a 90% emissions cut set for 2040

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: A separate renewables target keeps solar and wind deployment measurable and binding rather than absorbed into a broader low-carbon category where nuclear could substitute for it
• The document also floats discontinuing biofuel and ethanol blending targets from 2030
• Either a higher binding renewables sub-target for heating and cooling or specific KPIs for geothermal, solar thermal and heat pumps

⏭️ What's next: The legislative overhaul is due for publication by year-end, with lobbying expected to intensify
• The Commission has already proposed a 46% electrification target for 2040, roughly doubling the share of final energy consumption delivered through wires

💬 One quote: Pro-nuclear countries "will be happy if nuclear is recognised, and unhappy if it isn't" — an unnamed EU diplomat, quoted by Euractiv

📈 One stat: 14 member states now belong to the French-led pro-nuclear alliance seeking parity for atomic power

Subscribe to our free newsletters to never miss a beat in sustainability.

The world needs sustainability knowledge. At illuminem, no interest group or shareholder can influence our work. Thank you for supporting our mission to make high-quality and independent sustainability information free for all. Every contribution helps. Thank you for donating today