EU Legislation

Biofuels for Transport

Directive 2009/30/EC on the promotion of biofuels for transport (Fuel Quality Directive)
It establishes sustainability criteria and requirements to reduce greenhouse emissions produced by fuels, in order to reach the goal of 10% reduction. For more information click here

Energy

Directive 2012/27/EC on energy efficiency repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC
This directive establishes a common framework of measures for the promotion of energy efficiency within the Union in order to ensure the achievement of the Union’s 2020 20% headline target on energy efficiency and to pave the way for further energy efficiency improvements beyond that date. For more information click here

Directive 2005/89/EC concerning measures to safeguard security of electricity supply and infrastructure investment 
This directive establishes measures aimed at safeguarding security of electricity supply so as to ensure proper functioning of the EU internal market for electricity, an adequate level of interconnections between Member States, an adequate level of generation capacity and balance between supply and demand. For more information click here

Council Directive 2003/96/EC on the taxation of energy products and electricity
This directive restructured the Community taxation framework of energy products and electricity. Article 16 authorises partial or total tax exemption for biofuels when used in their pure state or in mixtures. The goal is to encourage countries to exempt biofuels from taxes to make them more competitive. For more information click here

Directive 2009/72/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity and repealing Directive 2003/54/EC
This Directive is aimed at introducing common rules for the generation, transmission, distribution and supply of electricity. It also lays down universal service obligations and consumer rights and clarifies competition requirements. For more information click here

Directive 2009/27/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/77EC and 2003/30/EC 
This Directive establishes a common framework for the production and promotion of energy from renewable sources with a set of goals such a share of green energy of 20% in the Union’s gross consumption and a 10% share in transport plus a governance system based on the National Renewable Action Plans. For more information click here

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Directive 2010/27/EC on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) 
This Directive lays down rules on integrated prevention and control of pollution arising from industrial activities. It sets out provisions to prevent or reduce emissions into air, water and land and to prevent the generation of waste. For more information click here

Directive 2009/29/EC amending Directive 2003/87/EC so as to improve and extend the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading scheme of the Community
The amendments provide for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to be increased so as to contribute to the levels of reductions that are considered scientifically necessary to avoid dangerous climate change. Furthermore, these provisions aim at reaching the Union’s goal of at least 20% greenhouse gas reductions by 2020. For more information click here

Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe
This Directive merges the existing legislation in this field, lays down new air quality objectives for fine particules and establishes the possibility for time extensions for complying with limit values. For more information click here

Directive 2008/101/EC amending Directive 2003/87/EC so as to include aviation activities in the scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community 
The amendments provide for the inclusion of aviation within the EU Emissions Trade System, nevertheless, the lack of a global consensus has limited the application of this normative to EU and non EU airlines flying within the Union territory. For more information click here

Council Decision of 25 April 2002 concerning the approval of the Kyoto Protocol
According to the Kyoto commitment, EU Member States shall reduce collectively their GHG emissions by 8% between 2008 and 2012 in comparison with the 1992 level. For more information click here

Waste

Directive 2008/98/EC on waste
This Directive establishes a legal framework for the treatment of waste within the Union. It aims at protecting the environment and human health through the prevention of the harmful effects of waste generation and waste management. Furthermore, it introduces the concept of waste hierarchy. For more information click here

Directive 2004/35/EC on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage
This Directive establishes a framework based on the polluter pays principle to prevent and remedy environmental damage, as damage to protected species and natural habitats, damage to water and damage to soil. For more information click here

Directive 2000/76/EC on the incineration of waste
This Directive aims to prevent or reduce as afar as possible negative effects on the environment caused by the incineration and co-incineration of waste through stringent operational conditions emission limit values for waste incineration and co-incineration plants. For more information click here  

Summary of the European Union’s legislation in Energy
http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/energy/index_en.htm