European future in climate change must involve renewables
BRUSSELS, Belgium, 2004-09-22 (Refocus Weekly)
Renewable energy technologies “will have to play a much larger role” in the future of Europe’s actions on climate change.
The European Commission has launched stakeholder consultation on the
continent’s approach to the future international fight against climate change,
and is soliciting input on how EU countries should address the challenge after
2012 when the current Kyoto Protocol targets end. The online consultation will
allow stakeholders to contribute to the debate on the future of global climate
policy, and the EC will use the contributions in the development of the EU’s
future climate change policy.
“Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our generation,” says
environment commissioner Margot Wallström. “The first Kyoto commitment period
will end in 2012; already now, we need to prepare what comes after.”
The International Energy Agency estimates that energy investment decisions until
2030 will determine the mix of energy technologies and the magnitude of GHG
emissions into the second half of this century. In Europe, 700 GW of generation
capacity (equivalent to currently installed capacity and of which 50% will
involve replacement of old plants) needs to be installed by 2030 at an
investment cost of Euro 1,200 billion.
“Renewable energy technologies will have to play a much larger role in the
future,” it adds. “A recent Commission report on the performance of
renewables policies in Europe shows clearly how pro-active policies can
stimulate their adoption.”
Under the Kyoto Protocol, the EU has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas
emissions by 2010 by 8% compared to 1990 levels. “The reductions will be a
first - albeit vital - step to address the human-induced part of the climate
problem, but alone they will not stop climate change. Recent studies indicate
that - in order to halt climate change - we need further substantial global
emission reductions, reaching up to around 30% by 2025 and 65% by 2050 compared
to business as usual.”
One of the suggested questions in the background document is “which
technological solutions should be allowed or promoted (eg: renewable energy,
nuclear energy, carbon sequestration, carbon capture and storage)?”
The consultation period is open until October 31, and the EC expects to hold a
stakeholder conference in November.
Click
here for more information
Visit http://www.sparksdata.co.uk/refocus/ for your international energy focus!!
|