Why do we need a public awareness campaign for sustainable energy in Europe?

Today, half of Europe’s energy consumption derives from imported fossil fuels. And on current trends, over two-thirds of our energy consumption will come from outside the EU by 2030. Fossil fuels, used in both the energy and transport sectors, are also the main cause of CO₂ being released into the atmosphere, which is the most important greenhouse-gas responsible for climate change. The impact of increased renewable production and consumption is considerably less than increased supply and consumption of conventionally produced energy.

The European Union signed up in 1997 to the Kyoto Protocol and committed itself to reducing greenhouse-gas emissions in 2012 by 8%, relative to the levels emitted in 1990 (although present trends point to an increase). Since then, the European Union has advocated its ratification at the main international meetings. On 16 February 2005, the Kyoto Protocol entered into force.

EU legislation
In support of this commitment, and to stimulate public debate, the EU has drawn up the Green Paper Towards a European Strategy for the Security of Energy Supply (November 2000). Its objectives were to ensure security of supply, lessen the environmental impact of energy use and production, reduce energy demand through the introduction and take-up of energy-saving techniques and tools and, on the supply side, double the share of renewable energy sources in our consumption to 12% by 2010.

Since 2000, the EU has adopted a number of legislative measures to foster the market penetration of both renewable and energy efficient technologies. Today, there is a common understanding between EU Member States that recent increases in sustainable energy production and sustainable consumption patterns are having a beneficial impact upon the environment.

However, there is still great scope for further energy efficiency. In order to explore ways to realise this potential, on 22 June 2005, the Commission adopted a Green Paper on Energy Efficiency entitled "Doing more with less". This has the objective of harnessing cost-effective energy savings for Europe equivalent to 20% of the EU's current energy use, which will result in the reduction of energy imports, innovation and job creation.

EU programmes
It is also recognised that a widespread action is essential to encourage the uptake of energy efficiency measures and the use of renewable energy. Over the past ten years, a number of substantial EU programmes have therefore been established, aimed at supporting main sustainable energy actors, both in the field of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency, to develop concrete projects, to disseminate their achievements and results, and to demonstrate the benefits of new technologies and tools. The most recent initiative is the Intelligent Energy – Europe (2003-2006). The programme aims to develop and promote methods that foster sustainable energy use and production by supporting non-technological activities and projects concerning renewables, energy efficiency, clean transport and alternative fuels, as well as promoting co-operation with developing countries in these fields.