The Committee of the Regions (CoR), the body representing local and regional governments at EU level, has adopted an opinion on the European Commission's legislative proposal "Renewable energy and the internal market in electricity", calling for Member States to set binding targets for the share of renewable sources in their energy mix that surpass the EU-mandated target of 27 percent by 2030.

Within the opinion document, the CoR criticises the European Commission's proposals for not defining the role of local and regional authorities clearly enough, and emphasises the importance of their contribution to achieving climate protection goals.

Member States should intensify efforts to eliminate administrative obstacles to adopting renewable energy, and place a renewed emphasis on planning, implementing and reporting at national, regional, and local level, according to the document.

The document also notes that it is necessary “to clearly emphasise the importance of regional cooperation on the renewable energy market" as "cooperation at regional level can bring significant economic benefits as well as offering real potential for joint development of the internal market in electricity.”

To read the CoR’s opinion paper in full, visit the CoR website.