scholarly journals Changes in the energy production to reduce the environmental impact

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-52
Author(s):  
Gábor Hornyák ◽  
Péter Bencs
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
European Union ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
The World ◽  
Climate Neutrality

One of the most debated topics of our time is climate change. For this reason, the European Union and the countries of the world are taking several steps to reduce and reverse the effect. When we talk about climate change or sustainable development, it is very important to also talk about the energy sector. The European Union aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, which will require significant changes in our lives, it will be a major challenge for mankind. In 2019, fossil fuels accounted for 80% of the world’s energy production. The production of energy from fossil fuels has several negative effects aside from climate change. When fossil fuels are burned, gases and particles harmful to human health are released into the air and some of the fossil fuels are raw materials to produce plastics, for example. If we use it for energy production, we waste our raw materials. What are the options for reducing the environmental impact? How can coal-based energy production be replaced? What are other ways to reduce the environmental impact? These topics are discussed in the article.

scholarly journals Post COVID-19 Recovery and 2050 Climate Change Targets: Changing the Emphasis from Promotion of Renewables to Mandated Curtailment of Fossil Fuels in the EU Policies

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1347
Author(s):  
Kyriakos Maniatis ◽  
David Chiaramonti ◽  
Eric van den Heuvel
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Climate Change Policy ◽  
Climate Impacts ◽  
The European Union

The present work considers the dramatic changes the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the global economy, with particular emphasis on energy. Focusing on the European Union, the article discusses the opportunities policy makers can implement to reduce the climate impacts and achieve the Paris Agreement 2050 targets. The analysis specifically looks at the fossil fuels industry and the future of the fossil sector post COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis first revises the fossil fuel sector, and then considers the need for a shift of the global climate change policy from promoting the deployment of renewable energy sources to curtailing the use of fossil fuels. This will be a change to the current global approach, from a relative passive one to a strategically dynamic and proactive one. Such a curtailment should be based on actual volumes of fossil fuels used and not on percentages. Finally, conclusions are preliminary applied to the European Union policies for net zero by 2050 based on a two-fold strategy: continuing and reinforcing the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive to 2035, while adopting a new directive for fixed and over time increasing curtailment of fossils as of 2025 until 2050.

scholarly journals The “New” Environmental Policy Of The European Union: A Path To Development Of A Circular Economy And Mitigation Of The Negative Effects Of Climate Change

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 57-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zofia Wysokińska
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
European Union ◽  
Environmental Policy ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Carbon Economy ◽  
The Eu

This paper analyses the evolution of the new environmental policy of the European Union in the context of the efforts undertaken to moderate the negative effects of climate change. It describes all the activities in the European Union designed to implement new tools of the EU environmental policy, such as low carbon economy technologies, tools that improve the efficiency of managing the limited natural resources, the environmentally friendly transport package, etc. All of them are aimed at laying the foundations of the circular economy, which may also be referred to as a closed-loop economy, i.e., an economy that does not generate excessive waste and whereby any waste becomes a resource.

scholarly journals TENDENCY OF GLOBAL CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES IN THE WORLD IN THE LAST TEN YEARS

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Isak Karabegović
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Small Hydropower ◽  
The World

It is well-known that, in the past decades, the burning of fossil fuels was identified as the major cause of climate change. Climate change mitigation is becoming a central concern of global society. Limiting global warming to below 2 °C above the temperature of the pre-industrial period is the key to preserving global ecosystems and providing a secure basis for human activities, as well as reducing excessive environmental change. The ambitions increased at an accelerated pace with a dramatic expansion of net zero-emission targets. Increasing pressure from citizens and society has forced countries to intensify their climate plans, while the private sector has bought a record amount of renewable energy. An energy system based on fossil fuels must be replaced by renewable energy with low carbon emissions with improved energy efficiency. That applies to all consumers of fossil energy: cities, villages, building sectors, industry, transport, agriculture, and forestry. The paper explores and presents the strategy of energy development of renewable energy sources in the world. The application of new technologies that have led to developing renewable energy sources is presented in detail: wind energy, solar energy, small hydropower plants, biomass, and their increase in the total share of energy production, i.e., reduced fossil fuel use in energy production. Investments in new technologies used in renewable energy sources have led to increases in employment worldwide. Analysis of the trend of increased energy production from RES (Renewable Energy Sources) with investment plans, the employment rate for each energy source, and the development of renewable energy sources in the coming period are provided.

scholarly journals POLAND'S ENERGY SECURITY IN THE PROCESS OF ENERGY TRANSFORMATION

2021 ◽  
pp. 37-44
Author(s):  
M. Koczan
Keyword(s):  
International Organizations ◽  
Energy Security ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Theoretical Aspect ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Taking Action ◽  
High Share ◽  
Practical Dimension

The issue of energy security has been present in the literature for several decades. Scientific studies focus mainly on the theoretical aspect of this concept. Many of them also describe and analyse the practical dimension of energy security, such as: international trade in raw materials, safety of transport of raw materials, energy production and transmission systems. For over a dozen years, the awareness of climate change, its causes and effects has been growing. Countries and international organizations are taking action to reduce greenhouse gases. The European Union is one of the world leaders in this process. Poland as a member state is obliged to implement the adopted energy and climate commitments. The electro-energy sector in Poland is based on the combustion of fossil fuels. Reducing a high share of coal in the energy mix is a long and very costly process. The speed and efficiency of this transformation affects the level of energy security in Poland.

scholarly journals The Principles of Sustainable Development and the Possibilities of Limiting the Global Effects of Smog by Medium-sized Cities Located in the European Union on the Example of Mikołów (Poland) and Żylina (Slovakia)

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-119
Author(s):  
Michał Czuba ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
European Union ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Respiratory Diseases ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Agricultural Crops ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
The World

The urban smog has negative global effects. They are expressed in the increased mortality of people, an increase scale of respiratory diseases as well as climate changes causing negative effects in the field of agricultural crops, which results in an increase in food prices. The occurrence of these phenomena mobilizes the global community to conduct activities aimed at limiting their occurrence. Medium-sized cities can play a significant role in this respect. The element conditioning the life of city dwellers is the appropriate condition of the natural environment. In Polish and Slovak conditions, smog is becoming a problem, which negatively affects the health of citizens of these countries. Therefore, actions are taken to limit the occurrence of this phenomenon. They are described in the current ecological policy of both countries. This article tries to show on the example of the Polish commune of Mikołów and the Slovak commune of Żylina the actions taken in them to reduce air pollution and thereby reduce the phenomenon of smog. In both analysed cities, measures taken to reduce the phenomenon of smog are implemented in a planned manner and may be an inspiration for other medium-sized cities in the world having air quality problems

Sustainable Urban Development on the Example of the Housing Deveopment of Zielona Góra (Poland), as a Response to the Climate Policy of the European Union

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Bazan-Krzywoszanska ◽  
Maria Mrówczynska ◽  
Marta Skiba ◽  
Małgorzata Sztubecka
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
European Union ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Sustainable Urban Development ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Negative Impacts

In the world, in Europe, and also in Poland the use of energy is growing rapidly, causing concern about the difficulty of supply, a depletion of non-renewable energy resources and the increase in negative impacts on the environment (ozone depletion, global warming, climate change, etc. caused by increased emissions of CO2) (Balaras et al. 2005). Political or economic attempts to enforce climate change, through the increase in the price of fossil fuels, lead to exclusion and growth of energy poverty therefore they cause social effects (fossil fuels become so expensive that a large part of the population cannot afford their combustion). The ideal solution would be a combination of activities aimed at the energy modernization of cities with sustainable strategies of their rebuilding. The purpose of the article is a search for the optimal way of spatial policies at the local level that enable implementation of the objectives of the energy policy of the European Union. Factors affecting changes in the pollutant emissions associated with the combustion of fossil fuels, depending on the energy efficiency of selected buildings were modelled with a use of deduction based on radial neural networks. The observations presented in this article may be relevant for other regions that are interested in reducing polutant emission and energy consumption of buildings, housing estates and cities. Taking the geographical context into account, it is especially important for those regions which benefit from financial support of the European Union.

scholarly journals The Energy from Renewable Sources in the European Union: Achieving the Goals

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sorin Petrica Angheluta ◽  
Sorin Burlacu ◽  
Amelia Diaconu ◽  
Cristina Stefania Curea
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Electricity Sector ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Renewable Sources ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Life On Earth

The existence and continuity of life on Earth is based on the existence of an ecological balance. Under the influence of pollution, the quality of the natural environment gradually degrades. Thus, pressures are exerted on the environment, including from energy production and consumption activities. The different phenomena of pollution, associated with the destruction of the environment, have made the sources of energy production diversified. Sustainable development can be achieved through the use of technologies that protect the environment. Within the electricity sector, energy from renewable sources has grown significantly in recent years. Energy production from Renewable energy reduces the use of fossil fuels, but also influences the process of reducing greenhouse gases. The article starts from the analysis of the current situation of renewable sources in the member countries of the European Union. With support of the comparative analysis of existing data at European level, the stage of achieving the European Union's objectives on renewable energy is presented. Also, comparative analyses of data on the share of renewable energy in final energy consumption are presented. Lack of emissions of pollutants, and the fact that they are inexhaustible, make, on the whole of electricity production, the share of renewable sources increases. Keyword: Renewable energy, European Union, electricity production

POLICIES FOR INCREASING THE SHARE OF BIOMASS IN ENERGY PRODUCTION

2019 ◽  
pp. 274-280
Author(s):  
Nely Georgieva ◽  
Darina Zaimova
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Resource Depletion ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Changing Environment ◽  
Environmental Pressures ◽  
Fast Pace

Today, more than ever, the fight against climate change requires a collective effort. Addressing the problems arising from the rapid depletion of resources and the changing environment requires Europe to radically change its approach from rapid resource depletion, climate change, and changing environment requires Europe radically change their approach to production, consumption, processing, storage, recycling and disposal of biological resources. The promotion of bioeconomy as a key EU policy will lead to a sustainable solution to these problems and improve the economic and environmental situation in Europe. One of the directions in which the bio-economy has to go at a fast pace is energetics. Using the potential of biomass as a resource for the development of bioenergy will have a positive impact on carbon emissions and climate as a whole. The European Union is pursuing a coherent policy in the field of renewable energy and in particular biomass, stimulating international dialogue to reduce environmental pressures, climate change and reduce the environmental impact of human activity. EU legislation on the promotion of renewable energies (RES) has evolved significantly in recent years, with the agreement reached last year for a 32% share of renewable energy in the overall energy mix at European Union level by 2030. The purpose of this report is to analyze potential opportunities for the implementation of European directives to increase the use of bioenergy resources in the field of energy production. An analysis was made of the state of the Bulgarian energy sector and the current regulatory framework for stimulating the use of renewable energy, in particular biomass for energy production. Conclusions have been formulated for the necessary measures for the future development of the sector.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Life Cycle Environmental Impact of the Olive Oil Extraction Solid Wastes in the European Union

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Cossu ◽  
Stefania Degl’Innocenti ◽  
Monica Agnolucci ◽  
Caterina Cristani ◽  
Stefano Bedini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Power Generation ◽  
European Union ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Olive Oil ◽  
Oil Extraction ◽  
Solid Wastes ◽  
Impact Categories ◽  
The European Union

There is an increasing interest in developing sustainable systems in the European Union (EU) to recover and upgrade the solid wastes of the olive oil extraction process, i.e. wet husk. A Life Cycle Environmental Impact Assessment (LCIA) of wet husk has been carried out aiming at facilitating an appropriate Life Cycle Management of this biomass. Three scenarios have been considered, i.e. combustion for domestic heat, generation of electric power, and composting. The Environmental Product Declaration and the ReCiPe method were used for Life Cycle Impact Assessment. Domestic heating and power generation were the most important impact factors in damaging human health, ecosystems, and natural resources depletion. Composting was 2-4 orders of magnitude less impacting than domestic heat and power generation. Considering human health, the impact of climate change, human toxicity and particulate matter formation represented the main impact categories. Considering ecosystems, climate change and natural land transformation were the main impact categories. Within natural resources, fossil fuel depletion was impacted three orders more than metal depletion. Within domestic heating and power generation scenarios, storage of wet husk along with the extraction by organic solvent, and the waste treatment were the most impacting phases for global warming potential, ozone layer depletion, acidification and non renewable fossil resources depletion. The results obtained for the waste disposal have been comparatively assessed with respect to the environmental impact of the olive oil production chain.

scholarly journals FARMS PARTICIPATING IN THE AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL-CLIMATE MEASURE AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF OTHER FARMS

2019 ◽  
Vol XXI (3) ◽  
pp. 542-551
Author(s):  
Agata Żak ◽  
Marek Zieliński
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
European Union ◽  
Natural Environment ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
The State ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Family Work ◽  
Field Crops ◽  
The World

The progressive effects of climate change and persistent negative trends in the state of the natural environment of many rural areas in the European Union and throughout the world are reasons for which there is an urgent need to carry out activities with respect to the protection of climate and natural environment in the agricultural sector. The objective of this article is to describe both the state of spending funds and farms belonging to beneficiaries of the Agri-environmental-climate The aim of the study was to measure and assess the functioning of farms belonging to beneficiaries of the RDP 2014-2020 measure against a background of other farms in 2017. A comparative analysis of farms belonging to beneficiaries and other farms included farms with field crops, mixed production and animals fed with roughage, as they play an important role in Polish agriculture. As part of the Measure, more than half of the farms use support under Packages 1 and 2. The share of farms implementing 3 or more packages at a time was much lower. The analysis carried out shows, inter alia, that farms belonging to beneficiaries are characterised by a worse economic situation expressed by income per 1 FWU (Family Work Unit).

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