The Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation (Chris Skidmore)

The presidency put the Council conclusions to member states for adoption. The aim of the conclusions was to identify priorities for the next decade of the energy transition, following on from the recently adopted clean energy for all Europeans package and the Commission’s long-term strategy for decarbonising the European economy.

Member states exchanged views, with comments largely focusing on language which reflected their varying positions on the role of nuclear, gas and carbon capture usage and storage in the future energy system. Many member states also recommended that the text reflected greater ambition in line with the Paris agreement, and some expressed disappointment that the EU had not agreed a 2050 net zero greenhouse gas emissions target at the 20 June European Council. Other member states highlighted the importance of a just transition, and the need to integrate concerns about security of supply.

The UK intervention reinforced the importance of ensuring the transition to a safe and sustainable low carbon energy system to meet emissions reductions targets, highlighting the UK’s revised target of 2050 to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions. The UK joined other member states in highlighting the need for a technology neutral approach to maximise member states’ abilities to deliver these targets. The UK also stressed the negative signal that not agreeing conclusions would send.

Member states generally highlighted the importance of ensuring that the EU’s relationships with these groups were in line with shared objectives of ensuring European energy security and facilitating the transition towards a decarbonised energy system.

The UK’s intervention highlighted the importance of de-risking investment in Africa, noting the potential role that international climate finance may play in unlocking greater flows of private finance toward clean growth. The EU-US relationship was noted to be important for increasing access to liquid natural gas, which would help to increase regional energy security, diversity of supply and competition. Regarding China, the UK highlighted the importance of focusing on practical co-operation and applying international standards, with a view to encouraging China to shift domestic and regional investment to low carbon alternatives to coal.

The Commission gave an overview following on from its recent assessment of the draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), which member states had been required to submit under the governance regulation. It noted some of the collective challenges that member states faced to achieve their existing renewable energy and energy efficiency targets.

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