Cefic has voiced its support for the use of competitive renewables to help mitigate climate change and improve energy security. Their development and integration into the system should follow the principles of energy and climate policy and seek to balance sustainability, security of supply and competitiveness.

In its response to a European Commission consultation on the preparation of the new renewable energy directive for the period after 2020, Cefic outlined a number of key points to take into consideration.

As a solution provider to sustainable low carbon economies, the EU chemical industry welcomes efforts that allow us to contribute to the energy and climate transition, whilst keeping our industry in good shape, and making the EU an attractive place in which to operate.

Cefic strongly urges the EU and Member States to coordinate and cooperate on how best to further integrate renewable energy into the system. The creation of long-term priorities and visions for decarbonising the energy system up to 2050 are important in order to define cost-efficient ways to reach the EU’s goals.

Policy coordination – carried out in a transparent way, across a number of energy and climate dossiers – is needed to deliver, among other things, distortion-free energy and CO2 markets, progress in energy efficiency and the fostering of innovation.

Renewable energy should be developed as an integral part of the broader energy system, and so be a full participant in the energy market.

Lastly, all bio-based industries should be recognised as being able to contribute towards the EU goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The EU should create a level playing field in the market for all these industries.