The Directive 2009/28/CE (Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources) came into force on 25 June 2009. It establishes a common framework for the use of energy from renewable sources in order to limit greenhouse gas emissions and to promote cleaner transport. To this end, national action plans are defined, as are procedures for the use of biofuels.

Each Member State has a target calculated according to the share of energy from renewable sources in its gross final consumption for 2020. This target is in line with the overall '20-20-20' goal for the Community.

Moreover, the share of energy from renewable sources in the transport sector must amount to at least 10 % of final energy consumption in the sector by 2020.

The Member States are to establish national action plans which set the share of energy from renewable sources consumed in transport, as well as in the production of electricity and heating, for 2020. These action plans must take into account the effects of other energy efficiency measures on final energy consumption (the higher the reduction in energy consumption, the less energy from renewable sources will be required to meet the target). These plans will also establish procedures for the reform of planning and pricing schemes and access to electricity networks, promoting energy from renewable sources.

The Directive takes into account energy from biofuels and bioliquids. The latter should contribute to a reduction of at least 35 % of greenhouse gas emissions in order to be taken into account. From 1 January 2017, their share in emissions savings should be increased to 50 %.

Biofuels and bioliquids are produced using raw materials coming from outside or within the Community. Biofuels and bioliquids should not be produced using raw materials from land with high biodiversity value or with high carbon stock. To benefit from financial support, they must be qualified as €sustainable€ in accordance with the criteria of this Directive.

The Directive is part of a package of energy and climate change legislation which provides a legislative framework for Community targets for greenhouse gas emission savings. It encourages energy efficiency, energy consumption from renewable sources, the improvement of energy supply and the economic stimulation of a dynamic sector in which Europe is setting an example.

(Source: Managenergy)

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Directive 2005/36/EC, adopted on 7 September 2005, consolidates and modernises the rules regulating the recognition of professional qualifications.

On 20 October 2007, at the end of the transposition period, this Directive has replaced fifteen existing Directives in the field of the recognition of professional qualifications. It constitutes the first comprehensive modernisation of the Community system since it was conceived forty years ago.

A number of changes have been introduced compared with the existing rules, including greater liberalisation of the provision of services, more automatic recognition of qualifications and increased flexibility in the procedures for updating the Directive. The Commission also proposes to develop its cooperation with the Member States in order to keep citizens better informed about their rights and give them more help in getting their qualifications recognised.

(Source: European Commission)

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A glossary in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian and Portuguese on the terms used in education and training policy.

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