The EU has reached a provisional agreement to almost double the proportion of its total energy consumption originating from renewable energy sources by 2030, Reuters reports.
The new deal, which was reached by European Parliament and European Council negotiators, will see the bloc increase its renewable energy share to 42.5%, up from only 22% in 2021. The EU's previous official target was to achieve 32% renewable energy share by 2030.
Early on Thursday morning, German MEP Markus Pieper (EPP) posted details about the agreement. Controversially, the deal considers biomass (which includes plants and trees) as a "100% renewable" source of energy — a viewpoint long denounced by environmental NGOs.
#RED3 just reached agreement with Swedish Presidency: 42.5% binding renewable target by 2030. Faster approval processes. Biomass remains 100% renewable. Checking the definition of green hydrogen and much more. A good day for Europe's energy transition.
— Markus Pieper (@markuspieperMEP) March 30, 2023
Pieper added that the EU is currently "checking the definition of green hydrogen," or hydrogen made from renewables or low-carbon sources.
The deal is widely seen as a key stepping stone for the EU to achieve its climate objectives under the Paris Climate Agreement and reduce its dependence on Russian fossil fuels, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year.
