Green hydrogen economy
European Parliament urges "post-fossil, post-nuclear vision"
The written declaration was launched by 5 MEPs including Greens/EFA MEP Claude Turmes.
It got 420 signatures, i.e. more than 50% of the MEPs, which means that it is now the official position of the European Parliament and will be forwarded to the European Commission and the Member States.
WRITTEN DECLARATION
by Zita Gurmai, Anders Wijkman, Vittorio Prodi, Umberto Guidoni and Claude Turmes
on establishing a green hydrogen economy and a third industrial revolution in Europe through a partnership with committed regions and cities, SMEs and civil society organisations
The European Parliament,
having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas global warming and costs of fossil fuels are increasing and having regard to the debate launched by the European Parliament and the Commission on the future of energy policy and climate change,
B. whereas a post-fossil fuel and post-nuclear energy vision should be the next important project of the European Union,
C. whereas the five key factors for energy independence are: maximising energy efficiency, reducing global-warming gas emissions, optimising the commercial introduction of renewable energies, establishing hydrogen fuel-cell technology to store renewable energies and creating smart power grids to distribute energy,
1. Calls upon the EU Institutions to:
- pursue a 20% increase in energy efficiency by 2020,
- reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2020 (compared to 1990 levels),
- produce 33% of electricity and 25% of overall energy from renewable energy sources by 2020,
- institute hydrogen fuel cell storage technology, and other storage technologies, for portable, stationary and transport uses and establish a decentralised bottomup hydrogen infrastructure by 2025 in all EU Member States,
- make power grids smart and independent by 2025 so that regions, cities, SMEs and citizens can produce and share energy in accordance with the same openaccess principles as apply to the internet now;
2. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories, to the Commission and the Member States.
