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The EU currently imports 82% of its Oil and 57% of its Gas , making it the world's leading importer of these Fuels . Low-carbon economy' proposed for Europe , by AP, 10 January 2007 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 , 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 . EU sticks out neck in global climate change battle EU Observer 09/03/07, accessed same day Key proposals An Energy Policy for Europe , Communication from the Commission to the European Council and the European Parliament COM(2007) 1 final include:
Underlying many of the proposals are to designed to limit global temperature changes to no more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels New EU energy plan - more security, less pollution , press release by European Commission, 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%. European Parliament resolution on climate change, European Parliament, February 14 2007, accessed 12 March 2007 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. EU sticks out neck in global climate change battle EU Observer 09/03/07, accessed same day 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 2020.1 Energy markets The EU has also promoted Electricity Market Liberalisation and security of supply through the 2003 Internal Market In Electricity Directive , 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 which replaced early directives in this area. The 2004 Gas Security Directive Council Directive 2004/67/EC of 26 April 2004 concerning measures to safeguard security of natural gas supply has been intended to improve security of supply in the Natural Gas sector. Buildings Buildings accounts for around 40% of EU energy requirements and have been the focus of several initiatives. Energy Efficiency , European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy and Transport From January 4, s and Air Conditioning equipment should be regularly inspected. As part of the EU's s 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 {Link without Title} . EU policies include the voluntary ACEA Agreement , signed in 1998 , to cut carbon dioxide emissions for new Car s sold in Europe to an average of 140 grams of CO2/km 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 [http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/02/06/news/carbon.php . In the area of fuels, the 2001 Biofuels Directive requires that 5,75% of 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 {Link without Title} . Industry The emissions for power plants and other large point sources. ; similars are used for buildings and vehicles]] 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. 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 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. External energy relations – from principles to action . Communication from the Commission to the European Council COM(2006) 590 final The EU-n countries, a comprehensive Africa-Europe Energy partnership would be launched at the highest level, with the integration of Europe's Energy and Development Policies. An Energy Policy for Europe , Communication from the Commission to the European Council and the European Parliament COM(2007) 1 final 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) Projects , European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy and Transport. In 1999 spending in these areas was brought together under the Energy Framework Programme . Climate Change and the EU's energy agenda 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. Special Eurobarometer 247. Attitudes towards Energy , January 2006 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 . Special Eurobarometer 258. Energy Issues , November 2006 A comprehensive public opinion survey was performed in May and June 2006 Special Eurobarometer 262 : Energy Technologies: Knowledge, Perception, Measures, January 2007. The authors propose following conclusions:
Europeans' opinion on nuclear power 55%, through to highest in favour of Solar Energy 80%( Special Eurobarometer 262 : ''Energy Technologies: Knowledge, Perception, Measures'', European Commission, January 2007 page 27). Considerable differences exist between populations in member states. In six countries of (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 highest with 21 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
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