Published:
20 Nov 2008 - 80 % of the greenhouse gas
emissions in Europe still come from the
energy sector, warns a report from the European
Environment Agency released today. The sector
continues to have significant impacts on
the environment, despite the fact that more
efficient production of electricity and
heat, together with an increased share of
renewable energy sources and replacement
of coal and oil with gas are gradually contributing
to cut emissions of greenhouse gas and air
pollutants in Europe.
80 % of the greenhouse
gas emissions in Europe still come from
the energy sector, warns a report from the
European Environment Agency released today.
The sector continues to have significant
impacts on the environment, despite the
fact that more efficient production of electricity
and heat, together with an increased share
of renewable energy sources and replacement
of coal and oil with gas are gradually contributing
to cut emissions of greenhouse gas and air
pollutants in Europe.
The 2008 Energy and
environment report confirms that if Europeans
simply stick by current policies and measures,
energy consumption will continue to rise
by up to 26 % by 2030 —and fossil fuels
will remain as the main source of supply.
"Business as usual is not an option
for the energy sector" stated Professor
Jacqueline McGlade, EEA Executive Director
at the launch of the report in the European
Parliament in Strasbourg today. The move
towards a low carbon society "isn't
happening fast enough to secure the future
of our environment", she said.
"Energy from fossil fuels is the root
cause of human induced climate change"
Professor McGlade told the Joint Parliamentary
Meeting on Energy and Sustainable Development
today. "The commitment of Europe to
a post carbon economy and sustainable renewable
energy is essential for energy security
and tacking climate change" she added.
The 2008 Energy and
environment report reported some positive
findings with regard to the growth of the
renewable energy sector and its potential
to reduce emissions and improve air quality.
But renewable sources only represented 8.6
% of the final energy consumption in Europe
in 2005 — some way short of the EU target
to achieve 20 % by 2020.
Other key findings of
the report include:
European households have increased their
electricity consumption by 31% in the last
15 years, in spite of an average increase
by 17 % in end-user electricity prices compared
to the mid 11000s.
Over 54 % of the energy
used in Europe in 2005 was imported from
outside its borders. Russia is the largest
single energy exporter to the EU, supplying
18.1 % of the EU-27 total primary energy
consumption in 2005.
Between 11000 and 2005,
the EU-27 experienced an average GDP growth
rate of 2.1 %, while reducing its energy-related
CO2 emissions by a total of about 3 %. During
the same period, CO2 emissions increased
by 20 % in the US and doubled in China.
Notes for the editors:The
2008 Energy and environment report (available
on the EEA website) assesses the key drivers,
environmental pressures and impacts from
the production and consumption of energy,
taking into account the main objectives
of the European policy on energy and environment
including: security of supply, competitiveness,
increased energy efficiency and renewable
energy, and environmental sustainability.
The report addresses six main policy questions
and presents trends existing within the
EU compared to other countries.
Members of the European
Parliament and of the National Parliaments
of the European Union and candidate countries
are gathering on 20 and 21 November in Strasbourg
for a Joint Parliamentary Meeting to address
Energy and Sustainable Development.
EEA member countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania,
Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United
Kingdom.
+ More
EEA wins award for its
environment friendly management
Published: 21 Nov 2008
- The European Environment Agency has won
a national EMAS (Eco-management and audit
scheme) award for its efforts in reducing
energy consumption and increasing energy
efficiency.
The EEA’s environmental
performance has been continuously improving
since 2004. In 2007, the agency reached
all its EMAS targets, including those on
electricity and paper consumption. Other
achievements include buying 100 % green
electricity, using virtual servers, state-of-the-art
cooling in our server room, as well as offsetting
CO2 emissions from travelling.
The European EMAS awards
are given by the Directorate General Environment
of the European Commission. This year’s
awards focused on energy consumption, reduction
of greenhouse gas emissions and energy efficiency.
EU countries nominated their national winners
for the European awards. A total of 32 organisations
were nominated in five different categories.
As it is based in Copenhagen, the EEA was
nominated by Denmark and won the national
award for Denmark under the public administration
category.
