Skip to main content
Jun 03 2025
Love0

Political Steps towards Eco-Social Transformations

By Featured, Publications

This policy brief examines the political feasibility of transforming Europe’s welfare states to meet the dual challenges of ecological breakdown and rising social risks. Learning lessons from the current state of play, it provides ideas and elements to drive political action that effectively moves eco-social transitions from the margins to the mainstream of European policymaking.

About

While less transformative eco-social policies, such as those included in the current European just transition framework, have gained traction in recent years, they remain limited in scope, reactive in nature, and rooted in a growth-oriented paradigm. The policy brief argues that more transformative eco-social policies are needed to address both the causes and consequences of the ecological crisis and outlines first steps of a political strategy to deliver this.

Drawing on the ‘three Is’ framework – interests, ideas, and institutions – this publication identifies barriers to transformative change and outlines strategies to overcome them. Key elements of these strategies include strengthening socio-ecological coalitions and constituencies; promoting rights-based ideas; and creating inclusive, multilevel and silo-breaking institutions.

Ultimately, the brief calls for a bold rethinking of European social policy to ensure that ecological action reinforces, rather than undermines, democratic legitimacy and social justice.

Author

  • Matteo Mandelli, is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Centre for European Studies and Comparative Politics, Sciences Po Paris. He currently collaborates with the Green European Foundation (GEF) and is a board member of the Sustainable Welfare and Eco-social Policy Network. He holds a PhD in political studies from the University of Milan.

Published by the Green European Foundation with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication. The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the author and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Parliament. 

 

May 28 2025
Love0

Bridging the Gap: Matching Europe’s budget with its strategic transformation needs

By Featured, Publications

The EU’s next long-term budget is a defining test of its strategic direction. Is the EU willing to make the choices required to secure its relevance and legitimacy? This policy brief makes the case for a bold new European Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) that reflects the scale of today’s intertwined climate, social, and geopolitical challenges.

About

This brief argues that without significantly increased and better-targeted public investment, the EU risks deepening divides, falling behind in global competitiveness, and losing public trust. The upcoming budget negotiations offer a rare opportunity to align Europe’s resources with its priorities: a green and inclusive economy and democratic resilience. The brief lays out key principles and choices needed to deliver a budget fit for Europe’s future. With political momentum shifting and economic realities evolving, the moment to act is now.

A transformative EU budget must substantially increase in size, commensurate with the Union’s strategic goals. This will require expanding financing tools, through a combination of higher Member State contributions, new own resources (NORs) and joint borrowing. It must also grow in purpose, through ensuring the green and digital transitions – and their social dimensions – are central and protected as key elements of Europe’s economic roadmap. But a more capable EU budget must also be governed with clarity, discipline, and democratic legitimacy. To ensure effectiveness and accountability, the following principles should be applied:

  • Policy mainstreaming and earmarking;
  • Emphasising social justice;
  • Avoiding zero-sum trade-offs;
  • Strengthening conditionalities.

Europe has the facts and data, the institutions, and the public support to lead through transformation. But it lacks a budget that matches its ambition. A forward-looking, adequately resourced, and strategically governed EU financial framework is essential; not only to navigate today’s crises but to shape a stable, green, and inclusive future.

This GEF Policy Brief was written with expert contributions from the independent climate think tank E3G.

Authors

  • Alba Berhami Sintomer is a Policy Advisor and a research lead at the climate change think tank E3G,
  • Sandra Tzvetkova is a Senior Policy Advisor at the climate change think tank E3G,
  • Taube van Melkebeke is GEF’s Head of Policy. For further information, contact her at taube.vanmelkebeke@gef.eu.

Published by the Green European Foundation with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication. The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Parliament or the Green European Foundation. 

 

Mar 06 2025
Love0

Gender at the Heart of the EU Energy Transition: Key learnings from the French case

By Publications

About

The policy brief “Gender at the Heart of the EU Energy Transition” identifies the energy transition’s potential for gender equality. The publication exposes the gendered nature of our relationships to energy and the link between the fossil-based energy systems and gender inequalities. It examines gender-based disparities within the three key roles that define our relationships with energy: as consumer, producer, and governance actor. 

The energy transition has the potential to tackle these inequalities. But to effectively counter these traditional dynamics, intentional policy is required. Using examples from France, the brief showcases that, while gender has entered the energy transition policy discourse here and there, more needs to be done to avoid repeating inequalities of the past. We argue that gender mainstreaming and active participation of all genders across demand, supply and decision-making spaces within the transition are critical and that EU policymakers must – and can – lead the way. 

This policy brief aims to spark political debates on the underexposed relationship between gender and energy. It is the output of discussions of a Green European Foundation Knowledge Community on Energy and Gender Equality, led by Barbara Nicoloso (Director of Virage Énergie, France) and made up of researchers, experts, activists, and elected representatives working to reduce gender inequalities while making our societies more sustainable. The brief uses examples from the French context, collected from literature and interviews with experts conducted by the author, to ultimately inspire changes to EU and national-level policymaking to better deliver a just, fair transition that consciously works to eliminate gender inequalities.   

Authors

  • Barbara Nicoloso, Director of the French NGO Virage Énergie,
  • Taube van Melkebeke, Head of Policy at the Green European Foundation. For further information, contact her at taube.vanmelkebeke@gef.eu.

Published by the Green European Foundation with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication. The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the authors and contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Parliament. 

 

Jun 12 2024
Love0

A European Green Caring Society

By Publications

About

This policy brief examines the interconnections between care for the climate, biodiversity and the environment on the one hand and care for humans on the other. It argues that the related systems are currently in a twin crisis and advocates for integrated political solutions.

As Europe transitions from a legislative term dominated by a pandemic and an escalating ecological emergency, which required significant green and human care policy initiatives, the new mandate presents an opportunity to unify these agendas and strengthen both systems. Adopting a green caring society approach can foster collaboration among decision-makers committed to a sustainable, resilient, and positive European future.

Key proposals to achieve this goal are put forward in the brief, and include extending the Do No Harm principle to encompass both human and environmental care, fostering a green care sector, implementing ecological and progressive tax reforms, establishing a People’s Sovereignty Fund and creating a new Commission Vice-Presidency for Caring Societies. These initiatives aim to bridge policy silos, promote sustainability, and ensure social equity, thus fostering a resilient and inclusive European society.

The concept of a Green Caring Society also has significant international implications. The interconnected nature of both the ecological crisis and public health risks necessitates global cooperation. The EU must minimise the negative impacts of its care systems on the world while maximising positive outcomes through mutually beneficial partnerships. Supporting a global green care strategy and advocating for the rights of future generations and nature are essential components of this effort.

A Green Care Society can bring the EU closer to its citizens and enhance overall well-being while respecting the planet’s boundaries. This unified approach of green and care policy strands has the potential to significantly enhance public support for the European project and ensure a sustainable, resilient future for all.

 

Contributors

  • Céline Charveriat, Core expert of this Knowledge Community, the Founder and Director of Pro(to)topia and Adjunct Professor at PSIA. She is an independent environmentalist and former Executive Director at the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP).
  • Taube Van Melkebeke, Green European Foundation (GEF)’s Head of Policy and Knowledge Communities lead. For further information, contact her at taube.vanmelkebeke@gef.eu.

 

 

This policy brief has been realised by the Green European Foundation with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

May 27 2024
Love0

The Future of the EU’s Energy Project: Democratic dimension

By Publications

About

This policy brief considers the democratic dimension of the EU’s energy project. It looks at the links between political systems, energy sources and technological systems, as well as the democratic challenges and opportunities created by the need to drastically change our energy production and consumption patterns.

It is the last of four briefs exploring the various dimensions of the EU’s energy project, all based on expert input and discussions among the GEF Knowledge Communities. The other three deal with energy security, the social dimension, and climate and sustainability. 

Energy democracy can be seen as the glue binding all these other dimensions together, since it is relevant across the full spectrum of energy issues: continuity of supply, access, affordability and sustainability. It is therefore critical to the success of the energy project as a whole. To move its agenda forward, we propose a framework based on various governance levels, at which the democratic dimension of energy can be implemented and strengthened.

 

Contributors

  • Benjamin Denis, Core expert of this Knowledge Community, Senior Policy Advisor and Head of Industrial Policy Coordination at IndustriAll Europe.
  • Joanna Maćkowiak-Pandera, Core expert of this Knowledge Community, Founder and Head of Forum Energii.
  • Antoine Oger, Core expert of this Knowledge Community and Research Director, Global Challenges and SDGs at the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP).
  • Jesse Scott, Core expert of this Knowledge Community, Adjunct at Hertie School Berlin and Visiting Fellow at DIW Berlin.
  • Taube Van Melkebeke, Head of Policy at the Green European Foundation and Knowledge Communities lead. For further information, contact her at taube.vanmelkebeke@gef.eu.

 

This policy brief has been realised by the Green European Foundation with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

May 15 2024
Love0

The Future of the EU’s Energy Project: Climate dimension

By Publications

About

This policy brief considers the climate and sustainability dimension of the EU’s energy project. It identifies several gaps in the current state of the EU’s climate and energy intersection and delves into emerging needs, concerns, priorities, and potential unintended consequences of the green transition policy.

We propose closing existing policy gaps, strengthening the climate dimension of the EU’s energy project from a holistic point of view. This includes focusing on key areas such as:

  • Monitoring and long-term strategic planning of both targets and infrastructure;
  • Renewed European solidarity;
  • The need to look outside of the EU borders.
This is the third out of four briefs that delve into different dimensions of the EU’s energy project. All these briefs are informed by expert insights and discussions within the GEF Knowledge Communities.  The remaining three focus on energy security, social aspects, and democracy.

 

 

Contributors

  • Benjamin Denis, Core expert of this Knowledge Community, Senior Policy Advisor and Head of Industrial Policy Coordination at IndustriAll Europe.
  • Joanna Maćkowiak-Pandera, Core expert of this Knowledge Community, Founder and Head of Forum Energii
  • Rosa Martinez, Core expert of this Knowledge Community, Green European Journal Board Member and State Secretary for Social Rights in Spain.
  • Antoine Oger, Core expert of this Knowledge Community and Research Director, Global Challenges and SDGs at the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP).
  • Jesse Scott, Core expert of this Knowledge Community, Adjunct at Hertie School Berlin and Visiting Fellow at DIW Berlin.
  • Taube Van Melkebeke, Green European Foundation (GEF)’s Head of Policy and Knowledge Communities lead. For further information, contact her at taube.vanmelkebeke@gef.eu.

 

This policy brief has been realised by the Green European Foundation with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Apr 17 2024
Love0

A European Single Market for the Future

By Publications

About

This policy brief zooms in on the future of the EU’s Single Market, a pivotal instrument to enable and promote the environmental and social transition, while bolstering the EU’s economic resilience.

To achieve this potential, the authors argue we need a radical shift in focus. The policy brief therefore suggests a new social and environmental pact for the Single Market 2.0, based on systemic quality: encompassing quality of product, of work and of life. This pact can bring together employers interested in quality products, workers and trade unions championing dignified labour conditions and NGOs and citizens advocating for a better quality of life and sustainable climate practices.

To further concretise the political ideas put forward, the brief finally proposes piloting the new social and environmental pact in three policy areas: circular economy, green industrial policy and public procurement.

 

Contributors

  • Philippe Pochet, GEF fellow and core expert to this Knowledge Community. In the past, he held the position of Director of the Observatoire Social Européen (OSE) for over 15 years. From 2008 to 2023, he served as the General Director of the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI). Currently, he is a Professor at the Catholic University of Louvain and a Visiting Professor at the College of Europe in Bruges. He also holds the position of Affiliate Professor at Sant’Anna School of advanced studies, Pisa. Next to the topic of the Single Market, Philippe is also collaborating with GEF on Climate Emergency and Welfare States.
  • Taube Van Melkebeke, Green European Foundation (GEF)’s Head of Policy and Knowledge Communities lead. For further information, contact her at taube.vanmelkebeke@gef.eu.

 

 

This policy brief has been realised by the Green European Foundation with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Mar 22 2024
Love0

The Future of the EU’s Energy Project: Energy security dimension

By Uncategorized

About

This policy brief considers the energy security dimension of the EU’s energy project, with a particular focus on the new realities and dynamics of European (energy) security and the need to adapt energy frameworks accordingly.

Triggered by the climate emergency, cost-of-living crisis, geopolitical turmoil and fierce competition for the clean tech pole positions, energy security has evolved drastically over the last couple of years. The EU’s energy security toolbox, however, remained roughly untouched and left the Union paralysed. It’s high time to recognise the importance of this dimension of the Future of the EU’s Energy Project. Bringing order into this toolbox, thereby making it fit to deal with a changed world, is fundamental if we want to ensure sufficient, reliable and sustainable energy for all.

The authors of the policy brief propose a pathway, based on a revised European Energy Security Strategy. It is the first of four briefs exploring the various dimensions of the EU’s energy project, all based on expert input and discussions among the GEF Knowledge Communities. The other three deal with social aspects, climate and democracy.

 

Contributors

  • Joanna Maćkowiak-Pandera, Core expert of this Knowledge Community, Founder and Head of Forum Energii
  • Rosa Martinez, Core expert of this Knowledge Community, Green European Journal Board Member and State Secretary for Social Rights in Spain.
  • Jesse Scott, Core expert of this Knowledge Community, Adjunct at Hertie School Berlin and Visiting Fellow at DIW Berlin.
  • Taube Van Melkebeke, Green European Foundation (GEF)’s Head of Policy and Knowledge Communities lead. For further information, contact her at taube.vanmelkebeke@gef.eu.

 

This policy brief has been realised by the Green European Foundation with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Feb 29 2024
Love0

Climate Emergency and Welfare States

By Uncategorized

About

This policy brief advocates for an urgent evolution of European welfare states. Recognising the heightened climate emergency-related risks faced by citizens, we emphasise the necessity to reinvent and expand welfare states to effectively respond to new threats.

We present a set of political proposals aimed at guiding this transformative process. These range from the systematic decarbonisation of existing welfare state infrastructures to funding of an additional European welfare state sector, to new directives, new forms of European coordination, and the establishment of an EU monitoring body.

Each proposal is carefully selected based on its feasibility and implementability during the upcoming European legislature. We also highlight their capacity to spark public and political debates surrounding the intersection of the climate emergency and welfare states’ policy.

 

Contributors

  • Philippe Pochet, GEF fellow and core expert to this Knowledge Community. In the past he held the position of Director of the Observatoire Social Européen (OSE) for over 15 years. From 2008 to 2023, he served as the General Director of the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI). Currently, he is a Professor at the Catholic University of Louvain and a Visiting Professor at the College of Europe in Bruges. He also holds the position of Affiliate Professor at Sant’Anna School of advanced studies, Pisa. Next to the topic of the Single Market, Philippe is also collaborating with GEF on Climate Emergency and Welfare States.
  • Taube Van Melkebeke, Green European Foundation (GEF)’s Head of Policy and Knowledge Communities lead. For further information, contact her at taube.vanmelkebeke@gef.eu.

 

This policy brief has been realised by the Green European Foundation with the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Feb 01 2023
Love0

Rethinking Heating and Cooling

By Uncategorized

Context

Climate impacts became more apparent within Europe through the record high temperatures in the summer of 2022. This has converged with a cost-of-living crisis exacerbated by the war in Ukraine and consequent shortages of Russian gas and an unprecedented increase in energy prices. Whilst governments in some countries have shown imaginative thinking to deal with the immediate energy crisis, this thinking needs to be extended with a view to long-term changes of behaviour, practices and social norms. Change is essential to limit energy demand in the future as a critical response to the climate crisis.

Ensuring everyone has a living space that they can maintain at temperatures safe for human health should be a government priority.

 

Objectives

This publication argues for a broad rethink of the demand for heating and cooling buildings that goes beyond calls for widespread retrofit. It draws from the earlier ‘Rethinking Energy Demand’ report (October 2022) and the interviews conducted for that report with academics and thought-leaders across Europe. The earlier report considered the need and means to sufficiently reduce energy demand. This policy briefing invites policy makers to extend their thinking beyond the immediate crisis towards a longer-term strategy for delivering the human need for thermal comfort whilst eliminating carbon emissions. The briefing comprises 6 sections and offers 16 policy recommendations, across both efficiency and sufficiency measures.

 

Translations

Available in Spanish

Available in Greek

 

This publication has been realised by the Green European Foundation and Green House Think Tank with the financial support of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.

Apr 06 2022
Love0

A guide to engaging aviation workers and trade unions

By Uncategorized

Context

Climate campaigners are coalescing around an agenda of no expansion of airports and the need for a long-term reduction of aviation. However, not all of these campaigns have incorporated worker perspectives to better understand the impact on jobs and changes to local and national economies.

We don’t just want to get the industry back to where it was in 2018, but decarbonised. Because that wasn’t a good industry for workers. Transport had become too cheap, it was market driven. There is a need to embark on a huge transformation of the industry.

Objectives

This short guide explores how campaigns can connect better with aviation workers and the trade unions that represent them – to build mutual support, win those campaigns and advance a rapid and just transition for workers in the sector.

About the project

This publication is part of the project “Just Transition in the Aviation Sector” that explores how the concept of a just transition could look like when applied to the aviation sector in the UK. It focuses on the loss of jobs in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the potential of the green job creation. In this context, a case study of the Gatwick airport was conducted.  

Just Transition in the Aviation Sector explored the topic of the Aviation sector adaptation through several formats, including the development of infographics, events with an inclusive European dimension. As a part of the project, GEF implemented an online event called Green jobs and airport expansion campaigns, gathering experts and politicians to debate the topic in a panel format.  

The initial research and debates within the project scope culminated in this report.  

Download

Available in Spanish

This publication has been realized with the support of Green House Think Tank and the financial support of the European Parliament. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication. 

Feb 10 2021
Love0

The Economic Model in Tourism Monoculture

By Uncategorized

EL MODEL ECONÒMIC DEL MONOCULTIU TURÍSTIC

 

As this project developed in 2020, COVID-19 wrestled hold of Europe and devastated tourism industries across the continent. With the streets and beaches empty, people and governments have been forced to look at the economic sustainability and the environmental impact of the sector; our project has been holding up a magnifying glass, allowing them to look more closely.

In this publication (EN/CAT) we analyse the sun and beach tourism model, and draw conclusions that may help  us find alternatives.

 

This publication is a summary of the workshop “The economic model of monoculture tourism: 4 perspectives of the problem after COVID” that took place on 3 December 2020 in the frame of the GEF (Green European Foundation) project “Fair and Carbon Free Tourism”. Different green foundations collaborate in this transnational project that will work for three years on different aspects of sustainable tourism.

More information: Fair and Carbon Free Tourism

Jan 11 2021
Love0

Just Transition Framing Paper

By Uncategorized
This paper is part of the Green European Foundation’s Just Transition transnational project. The project looks into the question of transforming from an extractive to a regenerative economy in a just and equitable way to find the necessary support among the population. The project is focused on collecting and sharing insights on the development of future-proof politics and policies, developed in a sensitive way that keeps in mind local specificities. The project is on behalves of GEF coordinated by OIKOS (Belgium), with as project partners Green House Think Tank (UK), Institute for Political Ecology (Croatia); Sunrise (North-Macedonia), Transicion Verde (Spain), Networked and Federation of Young European Greens (FYEG) and Networked (Serbia). In the course of the project, the partners will implement activities in their countries to increase awareness of the importance of a Just Transition all over Europe. Eventually, the partners will compile a book on the subject to be published September 2021.

 

You can also read this publication in:

 

 

Jun 18 2019
Love0

Fair and Healthy Food

By Uncategorized

This discussion paper, written by Kati Van de Velde & Dirk Holemans from GEF partner Oikos, has been published as part of the GEF transnational project Fair and Healthy Food.

The paper explores the failings of the current agricultural and food system, and the possibilities for a transition to a sustainable and fair system, one which revaluates food as a human right, a public good and a commons.

Download the publication in Turkish and Serbian.

Mar 19 2019
Love0

Creating Socio-Ecological Societies Through Urban Commons Transitions

By Uncategorized

This framing paper is the closing publication of the Green European Foundation’s transnational project Creating Socio-Ecological Societies Through Urban Commons Transitions, which focused on urban spaces as a driving force towards socio-ecological societies and as a hub of transformative policies.

Written by Dirk Holemans & Kati Van de Velde from GEF partner Oikos, this paper explores the new roles of cities in our society and their potential for collaboration as urban commons.

The work of GEF on Urban Commons will continue with the 2019 transnational project Cities as Places of Hope in the European Union.

Sep 08 2017
Love0

Climate-friendly Green Economy Policies

By Uncategorized

Climate change is one of the most serious threats facing humankind. Global warming causes growing economic, social, and ecologic losses. The challenges we face cannot be overcome by solely raising consumer awareness or by encouraging the private sector to adapt cleaner production practices alone. What we need is a system that will enable decision-makers of all levels, from individuals to international institutions, to act as a coherent whole on the path to achieve the determined targets.

Green economy offers a conceptual, theoretical, and practical framework that will enable this transformation. This report features Green economy policy recommendations for the fields of urban policy, land use, and energy. The mission of this report is to look at EU climate change mitigation and adaptation and its best practices in the fields of urbanization, land use, and energy in light of Turkey’s current conditions.

The common characteristic of all innovative practices featured in this report, such as passive buildings, energy co-ops, community- supported agriculture (CSA), bicycle use for inner-city transportation, urban vegetable gardens, and regenerative agriculture, is that they create easy and widely applicable environmental and climate-friendly alternatives and provide new ways for private citizens to be directly involved in the economy and even generate income.

Jan 11 2017
Love0

Sustainable Industrial Policy for Europe

By Uncategorized

The memorandum “Sustainable Industrial Policy for Europe – Governing the Green Industrial Revolution” argues that industrialised production and consumption patterns lead the world to its ecological limits. Climate change, ongoing poverty, food and water shortages and the global economic recession can become driving forces of a Green Industrial Revolution. In Europe, a transformation process of old, as well as new, economic structures has begun, with a high potential of causing social conflicts. In this context, the study argues that a new approach to industrial policy by governments is essential to manage this fundamental change. Not having a sustainable industrial policy is not a political option.

The memorandum analyses, as a first step, the shortcomings of current industrial policies at the national and European levels, and subsequently highlights goals, guiding principles and measures of implementing sustainable industrial policies for Europe. Finally, it outlines an integrated monitoring and evaluation method assessing the state of industrial policy with regards to the pre-requisites of a shift towards sustainability.

The research has been realised by the Öko-Institut e.V (Institute for Applied Ecology), and published by the Green European Foundation in cooperation with the Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Jan 11 2017
Love0

GDP and regional policy

By Uncategorized

EU regional policy continues to be based solely on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of each region. As is now accepted by many, there are serious flaws with the concept of GDP, such as its emphasis on economic production over other factors such as social equality. However, how else can regional policy be decided, if not by the GDP of each region?

This publication comes to the conclusion that the usefulness of GDP means it will continue to play a major role in shaping EU regional policy. However, its shortcomings can be compensated for by taking into account other factors, such as health and social cohesion.

As the European Commission prepares to review regional policy for the 2014-2020 period, this publication makes the case for a more nuanced regional policy that ensures European money is put to the best possible use.

Icon

GDP and regional policy EN 3.70 MB 55 downloads

...
Download
Icon

GDP and regional policy FR 3.44 MB 85 downloads

...
Download
Jan 09 2017
Love0

27 National Energy Action Plans = 1 European Energy Policy?

By Uncategorized

The EU Renewables Directive, for the first time, set a legally binding renewable energy target for the EU: a 20% share of renewables in final energy consumption by 2020. Each Member State was apportioned an individual 2020 target by the Commission for renewable energy as a proportion of final energy consumption. They were also directed to produce a National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) offering detailed information on their concrete polices for reaching these targets.

Given that investment made today in the energy sector will have huge implications for the coming decades, if we are to make the fundamental changes required to tackle climate change, the policy decisions we make over the next 10 years will be key. In addition to this, many experts are of the opinion that in order for the EU to make the transition to a low carbon economy, it will have to make far greater use of the potential benefits from European cooperation.

This publication therefore undertakes a rigorous analysis the NREAPs with two key questions in mind: do the Member States take into consideration the long term goal of 100% electricity from renewables, and do they expect to make use of European cooperation methods? The analysis demonstrates the great variety that exists between Member States on renewable energy policy, both in terms of ambition, method, and the likelihood of achieving the legally binding targets.

The publication is part of GEF’s continuous efforts to promote the creation of a European Community for Renewable Energy that would foster further and greater development of alternative energy sources in Europe and beyond.

Icon

Analysis of National Renewable Energy Action Plans EN 1.17 MB 69 downloads

...
Download
Icon

Analysis of National Renewable Energy Action Plans FR 1.83 MB 61 downloads

...
Download
Icon

Analysis of National Renewable Energy Action Plans DE 3.08 MB 59 downloads

...
Download