Abstract
The threefold objective for EU energy policies is the mitigation of climate change, the security of energy supply, and the promotion of the competitiveness of the EU economy. Possible synergies and trade-offs between the three related policy goals are discussed in this study by evaluating existing mitigation scenarios, insights from the innovation literature, insights into the potentials of and market barriers to innovative low carbon energy technologies, information on EU policies and measures to date, as well as EU external relations in the energy field. It is concluded firstly that the synergy between climate change mitigation, energy security and competitiveness suggested by the three-fold objective of EU energy policies is not straightforward. Secondly, current EU energy policies to stimulate (nearly) commercial and immature technologies are most likely insufficient to mitigate climate change and secure energy supply up to and beyond 2050.
Contents
1. Introduction
2. The rationale for joint policies for climate change mitigation, supply security and technological innovation
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Costs and benefits of climate change mitigation
2.2.1 Global impacts from climate change
2.2.2 Costs of climate change policies
2.3 Costs and benefits of energy security
2.3.1 Dimensions of energy security
2.3.2 Regional historic impacts of oil and gas supply disruptions
2.3.3 Costs of supply security policies
2.4 The role of technological innovation
2.4.1 Technological innovation and competitiveness
2.4.2 Barriers to technological innovation
2.4.2.1 Fossil fuel based technologies and nuclear
2.4.2.2 Renewable energy technologies
2.4.2.3 Low carbon technologies in end use sectors
2.4.3 Costs and the role of learning
2.5 Synergies and trade-offs between innovative energy technologies
2.6 Conclusions
3. An outlook on climate change policies, energy security and technological innovation
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Outlook climate change mitigation
3.3 The Supply/Demand Index
3.4 Outlook energy security
3.5 Outlook technological innovation
3.5.1 Fossil fuel based technologies and nuclear
3.5.2 Renewable energy technologies
3.5.3 Low carbon technologies in end-use sectors
3.6 Conclusions
4. EU energy policies and international co-operation
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Towards effective EU energy policies
4.2.1 Challenges to technological innovation
4.2.2 The impact of environmental policies on innovation
4.2.3 The EU ETS as an effective and cost- efficient instrument
4.2.4 The need for complementary policies
4.3 Evaluation of the present EU energy policy mix
4.4 Energy transition and international co-operation
4.4.1 Politics of a global energy transition
4.4.2 EU external policies and energy transition
4.5 Conclusions
5. Conclusions and policy recommendations
5.1 Conclusions
5.2 Policy recommendations