scholarly journals Europejski Zielony Ład i odbudowa polskiej gospodarki – szanse i wyzwania

2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 89-110
Author(s):  
Zbysław Ziemacki
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Main Tool ◽  
Economic Structure ◽  
Eastern Bloc ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Drastic Increase ◽  
European Economies ◽  
Climate Neutrality ◽  
Political Decisions

Man-made climate change has become the greatest political and economic challenge today. The dictate of GDP as the main measure of prosperity and economic success has led to the wasteful use of natural resources and a drastic increase in greenhouse gas emissions. The consequences are more and more felt: water, food and air pollution, the spread of infectious diseases such as Covid19, or extreme weather phenomena caused by global warming. Limiting these phenomena requires strong and consistent political decisions as well as real actions. The ambitious goals of decarbonisation and climate neutrality adopted by the European Union meet with the strongest resistance and criticism in the former Eastern Bloc countries, whose economies are highly dependent on coal. European policymakers are trying to reconcile the interests of European economies, highly diversified both in terms of the economic structure and the share of fossil fuels in the energy mix. The main tool is to be the unprecedented scale of the European budget earmarked for pro-climate actions, which is to help achieve climate neutrality while maintaining economic growth.

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 EU BIOFUELS POLICY—RAISING THE QUESTION OF WTO COMPATIBILITY

2011 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 713-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Switzer ◽  
Joseph A McMahon
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Policy Goals ◽  
Imported Oil ◽  
Biofuels Policy ◽  
The Impact

Governments intervene in the energy sector using a variety of measures to pursue a range of objectives, from security of supply and energy efficiency to environmental protection. Recent concerns about the impact of fossil fuels on climate change have resulted in the increasing promotion of biofuels as an alternative to oil. While worries exist with regard to the environmental impact of biofuel production in ecologically sensitive areas, it has been argued that with an effective regulatory framework to promote sustainable production, biofuels could provide a mechanism to provide energy security in an environmentally positive way.1 The interest of the European Union (EU) in the promotion of biofuels production is a relatively recent phenomenon and it is now the world's largest producer of biodiesel and the fourth largest producer of bioethanol. At its most basic level, the promotion of biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels is part of a wider EU effort to support the use of renewable energy. The promotion of renewable energy is traceable to a number of goals, a central one of which is ensuring security of energy supply.2 Other policy goals supported by the promotion of renewable energies include reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with climate change, decreasing dependence upon imported oil, the promotion of technological development as well as regional and rural development and employment.3

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 Energy transition and asset specificity transformation of the European gas market

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-182
Author(s):  
Dzhanneta Medzhidova ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Asset Specificity ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Processing Plants ◽  
Gas Market ◽  
Climate Neutrality ◽  
The Impact

In 2021, the European Union (EU) is entering a new phase of energy transition, reducing the use of fossil fuels to achieve climate neutrality by the mid-century. For a qualitative assessment of the impact of the EU gas market’s green policy, transaction cost theory and the concept of asset specificity is referenced in this article. During the first stage of market development, the level of asset specificity was high, while a decline can be observed with market liberalization. However, at the current stage, a radical transformation of specificity in the context of energy transition can be seen. Assets that used to guarantee higher profitability (gas pipelines, gas processing plants, liquified natural gas (LNG) terminals) will soon be disqualified. In this article, the long-term prospects for the natural gas market in Europe, and what will happen to key assets if the climate agenda dominates the issue of energy security, are considered; qualitative assessment of the changes and of the future of the assets on the European gas market is undertaken.

scholarly journals The Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural and Rural Development by 2030

2021 ◽  
pp. 61-75
Author(s):  
Konrad Prandecki
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Modern World ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Adaptation Measures ◽  
Adaptation Policies ◽  
Climate Neutrality ◽  
The Impact

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of the modern world. In the long-term perspective, mankind must achieve climate neutrality in order not to lead to a breakdown in the development of civilization. This requires significant mitigation efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Over time, when the climate change is more affecting human life, adaptation measures are also needed. Some countries, including members states of the European Union, are making efforts to achieve the goal of climate neutrality. It involves a significant financial and organizational effort. The aim of the article is to indicate changes in agriculture and rural areas that may take place in the perspective of 2030 as a result of the climate change and the application of mitigating and adaptation policies. The article was written on the basis of the available literature.

Smart Cities and Smart Regulation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Rønne
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
Smart Regulation

Increasing focus on sustainable societies and ‘smart cities’ due to emphasis on mitigation of climate change is simultaneous with ‘smart regulation’ reaching the forefront of the political agenda. Consequently, the energy sector and its regulation are undergoing significant innovation and change. Energy innovations include transition from fossil fuels to more renewable energy sources and application of new computer technology, interactively matching production with consumer demand. Smart cities are growing and projects are being initiated for development of urban areas and energy systems. Analysis from ‘Smart Cities Accelerator’, developed under the EU Interreg funding programme that includes Climate-KIC,——provides background for the focus on a smart energy system. Analysis ensures the energy supply systems support the integration of renewables with the need for new technologies and investments. ‘Smart’ is trendy, but when becoming ‘smart’ leads to motivation that is an important step towards mitigating climate change.

scholarly journals The European Union Green Deal: Clean Energy Wellbeing Opportunities and the Risk of the Jevons Paradox

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 4148
Author(s):  
Estrella Trincado ◽  
Antonio Sánchez-Bayón ◽  
José María Vindel
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
European Union ◽  
Great Recession ◽  
International Institutions ◽  
Smart Cities ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Great Recession ◽  
Financial Framework ◽  
The Common

After the Great Recession of 2008, there was a strong commitment from several international institutions and forums to improve wellbeing economics, with a switch towards satisfaction and sustainability in people–planet–profit relations. The initiative of the European Union is the Green Deal, which is similar to the UN SGD agenda for Horizon 2030. It is the common political economy plan for the Multiannual Financial Framework, 2021–2027. This project intends, at the same time, to stop climate change and to promote the people’s wellness within healthy organizations and smart cities with access to cheap and clean energy. However, there is a risk for the success of this aim: the Jevons paradox. In this paper, we make a thorough revision of the literature on the Jevons Paradox, which implies that energy efficiency leads to higher levels of consumption of energy and to a bigger hazard of climate change and environmental degradation.

scholarly journals Possibilities for Developing Electromobility by Using Autonomously Powered Trolleybuses Based on the Example of Gdynia

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 2971
Author(s):  
Mikołaj Bartłomiejczyk ◽  
Marcin Połom
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
High Capacity ◽  
Urban Transport ◽  
Spatial Accessibility ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Low Weight ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Zero Emission ◽  
Battery Technology

Trolleybus transport refers to contemporary challenges related to a reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases and CO2 into the atmosphere formulated by international institutions, such as the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, or the European Union. Departure from fossil fuels in urban transport is one of the key challenges for the coming years. Trolleybuses are an important tool in this task, even though their importance was declining in the past. Nowadays, due to, among others, technological development, in particular the availability of high-capacity batteries, their long life and low weight, trolleybus transport is becoming popular again. The use of the existing overhead contact infrastructure of the trolleybus network and small on-board batteries allow expanding the spatial accessibility of zero-emission public transport. Thus, this reduces the social differentiation in access to environmentally friendly transport that does not emit pollutants at the place of operation. The article presents possibilities of using on-board batteries in shaping trolleybus connections with the optimal use of the existing overhead contact lines (OHL). It presents a procedure that allows for the evaluation of the extent to which the OHL should cover the routes of bus lines in order to qualify for trolleybus service in the In-Motion-Charging (IMC) technology. Analysis of the literature shows inadequate scientific studies on combining the advantages of overhead wiring and the development of on-board battery technology in popularising zero-emission transport. This article addresses the key issues related to the use of partially autonomous trolleybuses.

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