In early 2011 the European Commission launched an initiative to achieve a “resource-efficient Europe" [click here to download the pdf]. These guidelines established a kind of roadmap for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by 80 to 95% by 2050, making it the most ambitious plan since the 2008 legislation (in January 2008 the Commission proposed a  climate and energy package that was accepted by the European Parliament and Council in December 2009, and became law in June 2009). The 2008 plan set benchmarks for fighting climate change; by 2020, the agreement called for a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 20% increase in energy efficiency and a 20% increase in the proportion of renewable sources used to cover energy needs. By 2010 the agreement had achieved a 10% reduction in CO2 production compared to 1990 levels; however, this included both an actual decrease and ‘reduction’ through the carbon market.

The new initiative is part of a strategy for economic growth in the next decade, defined in the document collection and Europe 2020, and includes three pillars: smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. The initiative for the efficient use of resources is in the second part of the agreement. The condensed formula for the indicators and objectives of the strategy is: a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas production by 2020. The guidance document articulates several policies that will be better implemented in the future, including plans for sustainable transport and mobility.

The direction set pushes to switch to a more efficient economy and low carbon, through three main modes. First, create a coordinated action in a wide range of sectors, with great visibility and very political support. Second, urgent action is to balance investments in part will be long-term, albeit with positive economic effects. Third: Put Consumers can consume resources efficiently, continuing innovation.

The synergies between the various sectors are essential to developing a new economy and creating jobs without harming the environment. The benefits of sustainability translate to security: often the jobs created by sustainable growth are more secure and economically viable, and in general the economy is less vulnerable to supply shocks.  Other benefits include: low carbon technologies that produce less air pollution and improve public health; taxes on energy use that may redefine the tax structure, making tax cuts that are detrimental to workers and social services unnecessary; improvements in recycling waste materials can decrease the demand for raw materials,  reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas production associated with extraction and processing; innovative improvements in the efficiency and durability of low-impact products can create jobs and bolster entire industries. And with improvements in energy efficiency less infrastructure and energy will be required in the future, reducing the pressure on natural resources.  The document estimates that reducing energy consumption by just 1% in the EU would mean the equivalent of 50 less coal-fired power plants or 25,000 less wind turbines.

The European Commission document only provides a sketch to guide improvements in the sustainability of transport and mobility systems.  It does announce the release (forthcoming, in the first quarter of 2011) of a white paper on transport that will outline strategies to reduce the use of carbon, improve technology and streamline means to increase energy efficiency, reduce barriers to entering the market, and plans to modernize transportation infrastructure. There is no reference to reducing the demand for transport (for example, promoting local food systems to reduce the need for long-distance shipping) but rather the need to strengthen the uniqueness of the European market, one of the cornerstones of the Union. The document points to better management, innovation and strengthening of public services to reduce transport and mobility service demands.  Since varying levels of sustainable transportation systems exist in individual member states in the EU, the white paper may focus more on scenarios in which further improvements can be made.   

The text is presented as the guiding document for development of a more efficient European Union; thus, in order to adhere to the principles outlined there, member states must develop policies and strategies jointly.  Early modeling of strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is expected.  However, a reduction of 60% of transport related greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is a best possible scenario.  There is success expected in movement “towards demand management and pricing policy in relation to costs [and] acceleration of technological innovation, resulting in widespread electrification."

Attachments:

europe_resource_efficient

[Un'Europa efficiente nell'impiego delle risorse – Iniziativa faro nell'ambito della strategia Europa 2020]