Renewable Energy Strategies for Europe: Foundations and contextPublished in association with The Royal Institute of International Affairs Renewable energy has been hailed by some as the foundation of future energy supplies, while others have voiced profound scepticism. In recent years, this sharp division has weakened: outright rejection has been tempered as the technologies have improved, but the contribution of renewable energy remains small. This report examines the basis for renewable energy policy in Europe: the intellectual and political driving forces; the projections and current initiatives; the energy-economic and socio-political context for renewable energy policies within the EU; and the lessons that can be drawn from history. The report argues that there are indeed valid and diverse reasons for supporting renewable energy. But the issues, policies and options cannot be understood solely in terns of the energy sector. Renewables depend upon developments in other sectors (such as agriculture) and on broader sustainability and structural policies in Europe, at many different political levels. Experience shows that policies can make a big difference but also carry the danger of costly errors: appropriate policies and their impact will vary radically according to different national circumstances. |
Contents
The New Agendas I | 1-1 |
Tables | 1-10 |
The Driving Forces I | 1-24 |
EnergyEnvironmental Trends and Policies in | 1-75 |
The External Dimension I | 1-101 |
International | 1-143 |
Experience with Policies | 1-161 |
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Common terms and phrases
agricultural ALTENER areas assessments biofuels biomass central Europe Chapter CO₂ coal Community competitiveness concerns context contribution conventional costs dependence developing countries diversity eastern Europe economic electricity emissions energy consumption energy demand energy markets energy RTD energy sector energy supply Environment ergy established ethanol European Commission European energy European Investment Bank European Union Eurostat expenditure factors fossil fuels Framework Programme funds geothermal global energy goals growth hydro important industrial institutional investment involved issues major ment million ecus mtoe nuclear power objectives OECD oil and gas particularly plant political potential primary energy problems production projects regions relevant renewable energy policy renewable energy sources renewable energy technologies renewable sources role RTD programmes rural scenario statistics strategic structure support for renewable targets technical TERES thermal THERMIE tion wind energy wind turbines World Bank
References to this book
What the Future Holds: Insights from Social Science Richard N. Cooper,Richard Layard Limited preview - 2003 |