The EU has assumed ambitious targets and strategies for the promotion of renewable sources of energy (RES) binding on all its member states.
In March 2007, the European Council decided on an binding 20 percent overall renewable consumption target for the EU by 2020, along with targets for 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a 20 percent increase in energy efficiency.
All three targets eventually led to the popular acronym ’20/20/20′. GO was designed to achieve these targets.
The report concludes that the political battle between advocates of the European internal market and guardians of national interests forced Guarantees of Origin (GO) – EU’s proposed trade instrument designed to help reach renewable energy and heat targets – to a halt.
Guardians of national interests have so far had the upper hand when it comes to shaping future energy policy development.
Download report (PDF, external link)
