Publication Laka-library:
Securing a Sustainable Energy Future in an Enlarged European Union
| Author | Greens in EP |
 |
6-04-1-10-61.pdf |
| Date | April 2001 |
| Classification | 6.04.1.10/61 (INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS - E.E.C./EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT / EU / EC GENERAL) |
| Front |
From the publication:
Securing a Sustainable Energy Future
in an Enlarged European Union
April 2001
Securing a Sustainable Energy Future
in an Enlarged European Union
Report Prepared for:
Green/EFA Group in the European Parliament
Contact:
Claude Turmes MEP
Energy Co-ordinator
T 0032 2 28 47246
F 0032 2 28 49246
E cturmes@europarl.eu.int
Front Cover Source; Border Wind UK
Executive Summary
Energy policy discussions are highly political and
complicated. However, there are a number of facts
that are indisputable and give clear guidance for the
development of a secure energy future for Europe.
These are:
1) Energy Efficiency is the key to a sustainable
energy future for the European Union (EU). A
strategy to make Europe the Energy Efficiency
economy of the world can be achieved over the
next two decades. This would generate economic
opportunities and reduce environmental impact.
Estimates suggest that an aggressive Energy
Efficiency program could reduce Europe’s imported
energy by 3 billion Mtoe saving 750 billion over
twenty years.
2) Renewables are the only long-term supplier for
the EUs energy and can, with the right measures,
provide 29% of the EU’s energy within twenty
years. Furthermore by 2050 renewables should
provide 50% of the EUs energy. Efforts will have to
be undertaken, both in Research and Development
and in market penetration, to ensure the quickest
possible development of a large renewable sector.
This will increase energy security as renewables will
become the dominant energy worldwide in the
21st century,providing Energy Efficiency measures
are implemented.
1
3) Natural gas is the fuel of transition to a fossil free
energy future. Priority must be given to utilising gas
sparingly and reducing emissions from its
extracti