Second report on the State of the Energy Union

The European Commission released on 1 February 2017 its second report on the State of the Energy Union. The document showed progress in the European Union's effort to modernise its economy and set the path towards transition to a low-carbon transition. The text also revealed the EU was on track to reach its 2020 targets as regards greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The Commission further announced a tour on the Energy Union for the following months, aiming to further drive the process. The European Parliament's plenary session held a debate on this topic on the same day.

The Energy Union was launched in February 2015 as one of the priorities of the European Commission, with the adoption of the Strategy Framework. The first report on the State of the Energy Union was released in November 2015. Since then, a number of policy proposals were put forward, namely the 'Clean Energy for all Europeans' package and the low emission mobility strategy. The Paris Agreement was also ratified and made effective.

• Primary Source

ESO: Key source: Energy Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/energy-union/

European Commission: DG Communication: MEMO/17/163, 01.02.17: Renewables: Europe on track to reach its 20% target by 2020 http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-17-163_en.htm

European Commission: DG Communication: MEMO/17/162, 01.02.17: Towards reaching the 20% energy efficiency target for 2020, and beyond http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-17-162_en.htm

European Parliament: Press Release, 01.02.17: State of the Energy Union debate http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20170201IPR60521/

The Guardian, 01.02.17: EU on track to meet renewable energy targets – but UK lags behind https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/feb/01/eu-on-track-to-meet-renewable-energy-targets-but-uk-lags-behind

The Independent, 02.02.17: UK ranked 24th out of 28 EU member states for renewable energy http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/uk-ranked-24-out-of-28-eu-member-states-renewable-energy-wind-farms-fossil-fuels-solar-panels-a7559376.html

EurActiv, 03.02.17: [Opinion] Can the Energy Union become a growth engine for Europe? http://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/opinion/can-the-energy-union-become-a-growth-engine-for-europe/

EUObserver, 03.02.17: Energy Union report provides little evidence of progress https://euobserver.com/energy/136788

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