Energy policy of the European Union

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Template:Life in the European Union Although the European Union has legislated in the area of energy policy for many years, and evolved out of the European Coal and Steel Community, the concept of introducing a mandatory and comprehensive European energy policy was only approved at the meeting of the European Council on October 27, 2005 in London.

The EU currently imports 82% of its oil and 57% of its gas, making it the world's leading importer of these fuels.[1]

Proposals

The possible principles of Energy Policy for Europe were elaborated at the Commission's green paper A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy on 8 March 2006.[2] As a result of the decision to develop a common energy policy, the first proposals, Energy for a Changing World were published by the European Commission, following a consultation process, on 10 January 2007.

It is claimed that they will lead to a 'post-industrial revolution', or a low-carbon economy, in the European Union, as well as increased competition in the energy markets, improved security of supply, and improved employment prospects. Although the proposals have been adopted by the European Commission, they require the approval of the European Parliament but were debated and approved at a meeting of the European Council on March 8 and 9, 2007.[3]

Key proposals[4] include:

  • A cut of at least 20% in carbon dioxide emissions from all primary energy sources by 2020 (compared to 1990 levels), while pushing for an international agreement to succeed the Kyoto Protocol aimed at achieving a 30% cut by all developed nations by 2020.
  • A cut of up to 50% in carbon emissions from primary energy sources by 2050, compared to 1990 levels.
  • A minimum target of 10% for the use of biofuels by 2020.
  • That the energy supply and generation activities of energy companies should be 'unbundled' from their distribution networks to further increase market competition.
  • Improving energy relations with the EU's neighbours, including Russia.
  • The development of a European Strategic Energy Technology Plan to develop technologies in areas including renewable energy, energy conservation, low-energy buildings, 4th generation nuclear power, clean coal and carbon capture.
  • Developing an Africa-Europe Energy partnership, to help Africa 'leap-frog' to low-carbon technologies and to help develop the continent as a sustainable energy supplier.

Underlying many of the proposals are to designed to limit global temperature changes to no more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels[5], below the temperature judged to cause 'dangerous global warming'.

Approval progress

On February 14, the European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution demanding that the key proposal to cut carbon emissions by 20% should be increased to 25%.[6]

The proposals where debated and approved, including the 20% cut in carbon emissions originally proposed, at a meeting of the European Council on March 8 and 9, 2007.[7]

Current policies

Energy sources

Under the requirements of the Directive on Electricity Production from Renewable Energy Sources, which entered into force in October 2001, the member states are expected to meet "indicative" targets for renewable energy production. Although there is significant variation in national targets, the average is that 22% of electricity should be generated by renewables by 2010 (compared to 13,9% in 1997). The European Commission has proposed in its Renewable Energy Roadmap21 a binding target of increasing the level of renewable energy in the EU's overall mix from less than 7% today to 20% by 2020.[8]

Energy markets

The EU has also promoted electricity market liberalisation and security of supply through the 2003 Internal Market in Electricity Directive [9], which replaced early directives in this area.

The 2004 Gas Security Directive[10] has been intended to improve security of supply in the natural gas sector.

Home energy performance rating charts

Buildings

Buildings accounts for around 40% of EU energy requirements and have been the focus of several initiatives.[11] From January 4, 2006, the 2002 Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings[12] requires member states to ensure that new buildings, as well as large existing building undergoing refurbishment, meet certain minimum energy requirements. It also requires that all buildings should undergo 'energy certification' prior to sale, and that boilers and air conditioning equipment should be regularly inspected.

As part of the EU's SAVE Programme[13], aimed at promoting energy efficiency and encouraging energy-saving behaviour, the Boiler Efficiency Directive[14] specifies minimum levels of efficiency for boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels.

Transport

Carbon dioxide emissions from transport have risen rapidly in recent years, from 21% of the total in 1990 to 28% in 2004 [1].

EU, policies include the voluntary ACEA agreement, signed in 1998, to cut carbon dioxide emissions for new cars sold in Europe to an average of 140 grams of CO2/km for new by 2008, a 25% cut from the 1995 level. Because the target was unlikely to be met, the European Commission published new proposals in February 2007, requiring a mandatory limit of 130 grams of CO2/km for new cars by 2012, with 'complementary measures' being proposed to achieve the target of 120 grams of CO2/km that had originally been expected [2] [3].

In the area of fuels, the 2001 Biofuels Directive requires that 5,75% all transport fossil fuels (petrol and diesel) should be replaced by biofuels by December 31, 2010, with an intermediate target of 2 % by the end of 2005. In February 2007 the European Commission proposed that, from 2011, suppliers will have to reduce carbon emissions per unit of energy by 1% a year from 2010 levels, to result in a cut of 10% by 2020 [4].

Industry

The European Union Emission Trading Scheme, introduced in 1995 under the 2003 Emission Trading Directive[15], sets national caps on greenhouse gas emissions for power plants and other large point sources.

Example EU energy label

Consumer goods

A further area of energy policy has been in the area of consumer goods, where energy labels were introduced to encourage consumers to purchase more energy-efficient appliances.[16]

External energy relations

Beyond the bounds of the European Union, EU energy policy has included negotiating and developing wider international agreements, such as the Energy Charter Treaty, the Kyoto Protocol, the post-Kyoto regime and a framework agreement on energy efficiency; extension of the EC energy regulatory framework or principles to neighbours (Energy Community, Baku Initiative, Euromed energy cooperation) and the emission trading scheme to global partners; the promotion of research and the use of renewable energy.[17]

The EU-Russia energy cooperation will be based on a new comprehensive framework agreement within the post-Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), which will be negotiaited in 2007. The energy cooperation with other third energy producer and transit countries is facilitated with different tools, such as the PCAs, the existing and foreseen Memorandums of Understanding on Energy Cooperation (with Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Algeria), the Association Agreements with Mediterranean countries, the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plans; Euromed energy cooperation; the Baku initiative; and the EU-Norway energy dialogue.[17] For the cooperation with African countries, a comprehensive Africa-Europe Energy partnership would be launched at the highest level, with the integration of Europe's Energy and Development Policies.[4]

For ensuring efficient follow-up and coherence in pursuing the initiatives and processes, for sharing information in case of an external energy crisis, and for assisting the EU’s early response and reactions in case of energy security threats, the network of energy correspondents in the Member States was established in early 2007.

Research and development

The European Union is also active in the areas of energy research, development and promotion, via initiatives such as CEPHEUS (ultra-low energy housing), and programmes under the umbrella titles of SAVE (energy saving) ALTENER (new and renewable energy sources), STEER (transport) and COOPENER (developing countries)[18].

In 1999 spending in these areas was brought together under the Energy Framework Programme.[19]

Public opinion

In a poll carried out for the European Commission in October and November 2005, 47% of the citizens questioned in the 27 countries of the EU (including the 2 states that joined in 2007) were in favour of taking decisions on key energy policy issues at a European level. 37% favoured national decisions and 8% that they be tackled locally.[20]

A similar survey of 29 220 people in March and May 2006 indicated that the balance had changed in favour of national decisions in these areas (42% in favour), with 37% backing EU policy making and 12% preferring local decisions. There was significant national variation with this, with 55% in favour in the Netherlands, but only 15% in Finland.[21]

A comprehensive public opinion survey was performed in May and June 2006[22]. The authors propose following conclusions:

  • Energy issues are considered to be important but not at first glance.
  • EU citizens perceive great future promise in the use of renewable energies. Despite majority opposition, nuclear energy also has its place in the future energy mix.
  • Citizens appear to opt for changing the energy structure, enhancing research and development and guaranteeing the stability of the energy field rather than saving energy as the way to meet energy challenges.
  • The possible future consequences of energy issues do not generate deep fears in Europeans’ minds.
  • Europeans appear to be fairly familiar with energy issues, although their knowledge seems somewhat vague.
  • Energy issues touch everybody and it is therefore hard to distinguish clear groups with differing perceptions. Nevertheless, rough distinction between groups of citizens is sketched.

Europeans' opinion on nuclear power

Nuclear power is on the average the least desired energy option in the EU in the year 2006. Only 20% of the population sample is in favour of nuclear power, less than for fossil fuels (coal 26%, oil 27%, gas 42%) and much less than for any kind of renewable energy: from lowest in favour of biomass 55%, through to highest in favour of solar energy 80%([22] page 27).

Considerable differences exist between populations in member states. In six countries of EU25 (SE, SK, LT, HU, CZ, FI) the voices in favour outnumbered those against, with Sweden with 41% in favour against 20% opposed at the top of the list. In the remaining 19 member countries the anti-nuclear sentiment clearly prevails, from Belgium where 22%:32% (in favour:opposed) down to Austria (5%:80%).

The share of balanced views (neither in favour nor opposed) is high in most member states, except those where the public opinion has swung all the way against. With balanced views mostly in the 30 - 40% range, in the four most anti-nuclear states (Malta, Cyprus, Greece and Austria) the share of balanced views is in the 10-20% range.

As for the opinion on the three most important energy sources in 30-years' time, nuclear energy captured some nominations. Out of 75 possible nominations 52 were taken by renewable energy sources (solar 21 highest with nomination, other in order of frequency: wind, hydroelectric and biomass). Nuclear energy captured 14 nominations (of which 5 in the first rank), with fossil fuels (oil and gas) only 9 nominations, in trailing positions.

See also

Member States

External links

In the media

References

  1. ^ Low-carbon economy' proposed for Europe, by AP, 10 January 2007
  2. ^ A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy Commission's green paper COM(2006) 105 final
  3. ^ EU sticks out neck in global climate change battle EU Observer 09/03/07, accessed same day
  4. ^ a b An Energy Policy for Europe, Communication from the Commission to the European Council and the European Parliament COM(2007) 1 final
  5. ^ New EU energy plan - more security, less pollution, press release by European Commission
  6. ^ European Parliament resolution on climate change, European Parliament, February 14 2007, accessed 12 March 2007
  7. ^ EU sticks out neck in global climate change battle EU Observer 09/03/07, accessed same day
  8. ^ "Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council: Renewable Energy Roadmap: Renewable Energies in the 21st century; building a sustainable future - COM(2006) 848" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-01-27.
  9. ^ Directive 2003/54/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2003 concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity and repealing Directive 96/92/EC
  10. ^ Council Directive 2004/67/EC of 26 April 2004 concerning measures to safeguard security of natural gas supply
  11. ^ Energy Efficiency, European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy and Transport
  12. ^ Directive 2002/91/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2002 on the energy performance of buildings
  13. ^ For an Energy-Efficient Millennium: SAVE 2000, Directorate-General for Energy
  14. ^ Council Directive 92/42/EEC of 21 May 1992 on efficiency requirements for new hot-water boilers fired with liquid or gaseous fuels
  15. ^ Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC
  16. ^ Council Directive 92/75/EEC of 22 September 1992 on the indication by labeling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by household appliances
  17. ^ a b External energy relations – from principles to action. Communication from the Commission to the European Council COM(2006) 590 final Cite error: The named reference "external" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  18. ^ Projects, European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy and Transport
  19. ^ Climate Change and the EU's energy agenda
  20. ^ Special Eurobarometer 247. Attitudes towards Energy, January 2006
  21. ^ Special Eurobarometer 258. Energy Issues, November 2006
  22. ^ a b Special Eurobarometer 262: Energy Technologies: Knowledge, Perception, Measures, January 2007 Cite error: The named reference "SpecialEurobarometer2007" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
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