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What if the EU were energy independent?

De un vistazo 06-12-2023

The European Union (EU) can aspire to achieve energy independence through the deployment of existing and emerging technologies. Electrification, renewables and energy storage could reduce the EU's reliance on conventional fossil fuels. What are the developments, expectations, concerns and societal implications associated with these technologies? And what initiatives and policies could lead to a resilient EU energy system, through anticipating impacts?

CO2 emissions of new cars and vans

De un vistazo 04-12-2023

Road transport is responsible for almost a fifth of the EU's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The revision of the regulation on CO2 emission limits for new cars and vans under the 'fit for 55' package ensures an increasingly higher share of clean vehicles on European roads. All new cars registered after 2035 must be zero-emission vehicles. The new Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) meanwhile provides for roll out of the necessary recharging points.

On 7 July 2023, the European Commission published a proposal for a Council decision on the withdrawal of the Union from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) – a multilateral agreement that regulates energy investment. This comes after a previous proposal to modernise the ECT did not gather the required majority among Member States. The lack of an EU position de facto blocks the ECT modernisation process. Due to many concerns over the protection of fossil fuel investements and amid the lack of prospects ...

Energy transition in the EU

Briefing 30-11-2023

Energy is central to the European Union's transition towards climate neutrality by 2050, in line with the European Green Deal. As the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union (EU), the energy sector is undergoing a profound transformation on the path to a net-zero economy. The shift to a more sustainable energy system entails switching from fossil fuels to low-carbon and renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency in products, industry and buildings, and creating ...

In July 2021, the European Commission put forward the 'fit for 55' package of legislative proposals, aimed at ensuring the success of the European Green Deal. The FuelEU Maritime regulation is one of these proposals and, together with four other proposals, it seeks to steer the EU maritime sector towards decarbonisation. To support the uptake of sustainable maritime fuels, the Commission proposes to limit the carbon intensity of the energy used on board ships. Accordingly, the proposal sets a fuel ...

Africa is the continent most affected by energy poverty, with more than 40 % of its population lacking access to electricity. This is in spite of an extremely high potential for renewable energy generation and an increasing number of fossil fuel developments on the continent. Through its development cooperation programmes, the EU has committed significant funds to reduce energy poverty in its partner countries in Africa. These programmes aim to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 7, which ...

Rising inflation complicates the alignment of the ECB’s policies with the Paris Agreement. This paper provides novel evidence for inflationary pressures arising from natural disasters. We then discuss the effectiveness of monetary instruments to boost a green transition, concluding that the scope of policy measures used thus far is limited. As additional measures, we advise active rebalancing of the ECB’s bond holdings towards greener issuers, enforcing stricter disclosure standards, and differentiating ...

Leaders and government officials from across the world will meet for the COP28 climate summit in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30 November to 12 December, to try to raise ambition in efforts to fight climate change. The summit's main aim is to take stock of countries’ efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions to a level that keeps dangerous human-induced climate change in check, to adapt to climate change, and to mobilise climate finance. COP, or the Conference of Parties, is an annual United ...

The fishing sector is facing major challenges in the accelerating energy crisis, owing to its high dependency on the stable supply of fossil fuels at low prices. This report reviews the literature on drivers of energy use, identifies potential reduction measures and provides an overview of opportunities for using alternative fuels in the fishing sector. Each measure is evaluated in terms of greenhouse gas emission reduction potential and costs, and challenges and policy options that could facilitate ...

Energy is a major cost item in EU fisheries and aquaculture. The recent energy crisis has hit the seafood sector hard, notably because of increased marine diesel prices, exposing one of the sector's major vulnerabilities: its high dependency on fossil fuels. A move towards alternative energy sources would not only address this vulnerability but also contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU's ambition to become climate neutral. On 21 February 2023, the European Commission ...