Action plan for the promotion of renewable energy sources At the initiative of Mr. Christos Papoutsis, Commissioner responsible for energy, the European Commission has adopted a White Paper which for the first time sets out a comprehensive strategy and action plan for the promotion of renewable energy sources in the European Union. ... At the initiative of Mr. Christos Papoutsis, Commissioner responsible for energy, the European Commission has adopted a White Paper which for the first time sets out a comprehensive strategy and action plan for the promotion of renewable energy sources in the European Union. The proposed strategy is aimed at achieving the ambitious but realistic goal of doubling, from 6% to 12%, the share of renewable energies in the total energy demand of the European Union by the year 2010. The knock-on benefits of achieving this goal would include significant reduction of CO2 emissions, scientific and industrial development in a high technology sector, employment creation, avoided fuel costs, increased security of supply, local and regional development and exports to third countries which can benefit considerably from European technology. The main features of the strategy are: - The reinforcement of policies affecting the penetration of renewable energies, including: agriculture and rural policy, regional policy, internal market measures in the regulatory and fiscal areas; - The strengthening of cooperation between Member States, as well as coordinated support measures to facilitate investment and enhance dissemination and information on renewable energy sources (RES). Commenting on the Commission's proposal, Commissioner Papoutsis declared: "Today we have taken a significant step towards the objective of doubling the use of renewable energies in the European Union. A goal which is very widely supported." "It is important that Member States play their role in promoting renewables. I call upon the governments to define their national strategies and targets to contribute to the overall 2010 objective."
