Putting innovation at the heart of the Energy Union

(EurActiv, 26 May 2016) As the European Commission elaborates its Energy Union strategy, and as national and local governments plan their contribution to the union’s aims of energy security, decarbonisation and cost-efficiency, they need to create an environment that nurtures innovation in policy, technology and business models, write Pascal Lamy and Philip Lowe.

Pascal Lamy is former Head of the WTO and President Emeritus of the Jacques Delors Institute. He was European Commissioner for Trade in the Prodi Commission (1999-2004).

Philip Lowe is former Director-General for Energy and Competition at the European Commission.

Both are members of the i24c High Level group.

The European Union has led the world in calling for action on climate change. For 30 years, EU Member States have worked to reduce their emissions, and have advocated international cooperation to tackle this global threat. Now, as we stand on the threshold of a revolution in how the world produces and consumes energy, the question is whether the EU can turn this leadership into global competitive advantage.

At last, there are signs the EU’s leadership is bearing fruit. Last December’s Paris Agreement is galvanizing the global effort to decarbonise our economies. Hundreds of billions of euros and dollars are being invested, each year, into clean energy generation and into making our industry, built environment and transport systems more energy efficient.

This presents Europe with an enormous opportunity: domestically, in cutting our energy bills, cleaning our air and reducing our impact on the climate; but also overseas, in exporting our technology and expertise around the world, creating jobs and growth.

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EurActiv, 26 May 2016: Putting innovation at the heart of the Energy Union