Towards A Low Carbon Future: EU Strategic Plan

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0711/S01021.htm

Towards A Low Carbon Future: EU Strategic Plan

Friday, 23 November 2007, 3:27 pm
Press Release: European Union

Towards a low carbon future: European Strategic Energy Technology Plan

On 22 November, the European Commission will present the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan. Low carbon technologies will play a vital role in reaching our energy and climate change targets. The main goal of the SET-Plan is to accelerate the development and implementation of these technologies.

This background note sets out the details of the SET Plan. Its rationale accompanied by some useful background figures and charts is set out in MEMO/07/494.

Technology is vital for reaching energy and climate change objectives

The inter-related challenges of climate change, security of energy supply and competitiveness are multifaceted and require a coordinated response. We are piecing together a far-reaching jigsaw of policies and measures: binding targets for 2020 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% and ensure 20% of renewable energy sources in the EU energy mix; a plan to reduce EU global primary energy use by 20% by 2020; carbon pricing through the Emissions Trading Scheme and energy taxation; a competitive Internal Energy Market; an international energy policy.

Technology is vital in reaching all the above-mentioned objectives. We need a dedicated policy to accelerate the development and deployment of cost-effective low carbon technologies. To meet the 2020 targets, we need to lower the cost of clean energy and put EU industry at the forefront of the rapidly growing low carbon technology sector. In the longer term, if we are to meet the greater ambition of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 60-80% by 2050, new generations of technologies have to be developed through breakthrough in research.

The transition to a low carbon economy will take decades and touch every sector of the economy, but we cannot afford to delay action. Decisions taken over the next 10-15 years will have profound consequences for energy security, for climate change, for growth and jobs in Europe.

...

[DLnyc]

1. Wow. Sure beats anything I've heard as plans for u.s. of bfee.

Problem is, the world is moving into a post carbon age. The US is living in the age of denial.

Actually, I think the US will have it easier in at least one small way: our large deserts provide vast amounts of solar energy. Europe has winds and tides, some geothermal I guess. Lots of solar in the Mediterranean, and northern Africa. But then again, they have a big advantage, in that they have a reasonably functional pattern of social organization.

May Darth and shrub hurry about their business of utterly disrediting their 'Shock and Awe' mentality, so that what's left of the world can continue its evolution.

IMHO

(snip)
To support the definition of energy technology objectives, as well as to build consensus around the SET-Plan programme, the Commission will establish an open-access information and knowledge management system on energy technologies.
(snip)

Oh yeah, sometimes cooperation helps. I forgot about that idea. Many people working toward a common goal. What a novel thought.

[razzleberry]

2. fraud is easier than work

consider the Kyoto treaty.
if the EU even intends to meet its obligation,
the EU seems to be headed in the direction
of using carbon offsets, that in my opinion,
are very dubious.

something similar will happen to their internal goals.