Sustainable Energy Policies for Europe : Towards 100% Renewable Energy

European policy decisions regarding energy will have a significant impact on the rest of the world. This book provides an overview and in-depth analysis of a vital debate. It describes various policy options with regard to energy and sustainability and assesses their impact on renewable energy development and deployment in Europe. Exploring possible energy scenarios occurring in the year 2020 and beyond, it discusses how European policies can serve as best practice examples for developing and developed countries.

The discussion about energy perspectives beyond 2020, up to 2030 and eventually 2050 has started. There seems to be a verbal consensus on the necessity of ambitious climate change mitigation policies, without a convincing perspective of the necessary policy decisions to be reached in due time. Methods to achieve greenhouse gas reduction as well as energy security vary from aiming for 100% renewable energies and setting up appropriate policy frameworks to implementing a mix of renewables comprising so-called clean fossil and nuclear energy. This book provides an analysis of the different approaches and the reasons why there is no sustainable alternative to aiming for 100% renewables – and how this vision could come true. The book provides an overview and in-depth analysis of a vital debate. It describes how the present policy framework with 2020-targets for the share of renewables, for increase of energy efficiency and for greenhouse gas emissions reduction was developed and how it has been implemented so far. Furthermore, it describes and analyses the emerging debate about the future of our energy system and the necessary next steps and targets leading up to 2030.