ENERGY EFFICIENCY LISBON TREATY EU/SOUTH KOREA Mobilising ICT for low carbon Jan Fischer: Prague will ratify Commission backs initialling economy Page 9 by end of year Page 14 of FTA on 15 October Page 15 EUROPOLITICS The European affairs daily Thursday 8 October 2009 N° 3834 37th year FOCUS ENERGY “Euro-compatible” Towards 50 bn euro additional funding for class actions low carbon technologies By Dafydd ab Iago credible technology road maps. That took The French consumer associations CLCV more time.” and UFC Que-Choisir have sent a letter The European Commission adopted, to the European Commission signed by on 7 October, a communication calling WHERE THE BULK IS 33,000 people calling for the possibil- for an additional investment of €50 billion The Commission’s analysis, given in the ity of bringing class actions “as soon in energy technology research over the staff working document, indicates large as possible,” it announces in a press next ten years1. The additional funding - if gaps with other sectors. Research Com- release dated 7 October. The associa- plans are eventually endorsed by member missioner Janez Potocnik noted that a tions have been waiting since 2005 for states - would result in almost tripling cur- relatively low rate of investment in R&D promises by the public authorities to rent annual spending of some €3 billion, to in the renewable energy sector of only 3% introduce the concept of class actions in €8 billion2. Aside from public authorities, compares to higher rates in other sectors, France to materialise. The move is being the Commission’s call for more money is such as IT, at 8%. Research spending is hindered by employers. The associations also directed to business. Researchers, too, also primarily concentrated in just a few express “bitter disappointment” over should coordinate their efforts. The com- member states. “Total private and public learning of the new postponement of the munication is accompanied by an impact investment in SET plan technologies introduction of class actions in France assessment as well as detailed analysis of amount to some €3.2 bn per year. This on the ground of the need for “Euro- Europe’s current spending on research is largely concentrated in a few member compatibility,” according to its statement. into energy technology. states,” said Potocnik. “The bulk of funds In September, State Secretary for Trade will certainly have to come from where Hervé Novelli commented that further TRIPLING ANNUAL ENERGY RESEARCH the bulk is: member states and private action would depend first on emerging The communication on financing R&D sector,” added Potocnik. from the economic crisis and second into energy technology was promised by the Commissioner Piebalgs adds that some on ensuring that the French proposal is Commission in its November 2007 com- of the technologies favoured by the SET consistent with European projects on the munication on the Strategic Energy Tech- plan are already receiving or will soon drawing board. nology (SET) Plan. This latter document receive financing. He pointed to offshore Although EU law allows “member states sets out the key technologies for which the wind and carbon capture and storage to introduce such a procedure without Commission calls for extra attention. It under the current EU economic recovery awaiting a European go-ahead, France also proposes a series of measures to avoid plan. “We are looking to mobilise new makes it a prior condition,” note the con- duplication of research efforts at national financing. This can be done only if the sumer groups. “So Europe is being used level. The Commission admits it was one stakeholders recognise the tech road maps today as an alibi for the French public year late in issuing its financing plans for are right,” said Piebalgs, justifying the one- authorities’ lack of action,” they add. energy research. “Part of the reason why year delay in adopting today’s communi- The two consumer associations have we are late is the crisis. There was a lot cation. asked the Commission to “remedy this of attention on reactivating growth,” said legal vacuum that is particularly harmful Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs. WEAKENED FINANCING to French and European consumers”. “It was also important to prepare credible Despite Piebalgs and Potocnik stress- financing plans. You can’t do that without ing the urgency (continued on page 8) Sold by subscription only © reproduction strictly prohibited in any language www.europolitics.info EUROPOLITICSTHE EUROPEAN AFFAIRS DAILY The centrepiece of EU news www.europolitics.info ❏ Yes, I would like to subscribe to EUROPOLITICS daily: ❏ 6 MONTHS, 112 issues (paper version) + unlimited online access at the price of €890 (1). HELPGETTING US GET TO TO KNOW KNOW YOU YOU BETTER… BETTER… ❏ 1 YEAR, 223 issues (paper version) + unlimited online access at the price of €1,700 (1). 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Rue d’Arlon 53 / B-1040 Brussels or by fax to: +32 (0)2 732 67 57 AP08 EUROPOLITICS N° 3834 Thursday 8 October 2009 3 Contents N° 3834 Top Stories ENERGY EFFICIENCY LISBON TREATY EU/SOUTH KOREA Mobilising ICT for low carbon Jan Fischer: Prague will ratify Commission backs initialling economy Page 9 by end of year Page 14 of FTA on 15 October Page 15 Business & competitiveness Energy efficiency: Mobilising Trade policy Car industry/CoR: Automotive crisis ICT for low carbon economy .................9 EU/South Korea: