资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

In the absence of post-2020 national binding renewable energy (RES) targets, ensuring Member States' contributions which add up to the EU-level target by 2030 poses a challenge to the EU governance framework. Even without national targets, Member States remain key players to reach a 2030 RES target.

The key question that results from the dealignment of targets at the EU level and instruments at Member State level is how the EU energy governance framework can be designed so that the binding EU target can be achieved based on appropriate measures implemented by Member States. A governance framework should (1) ensure that Member States submit the highest possible RES pledges (adding up to the required RES share at EU level), (2) ensure that Member States put in place appropriate measures to achieve their pledges. The EU approach to this governance framework can be labeled as Open Method of Coordination, i.e. a soft governance approach. However, as this may not be sufficient, the question arises as to how it can be complemented by more direct and powerful governance elements.

Against this background, this paper elaborates on the possible design of the EU energy governance to ensure compliance with the 2030 RES target.