EU energy and climate strategy: “20-20-20” target - part I - KEP energy Magazine - KEP energy

The main targets of the European Union (EU) strategy in the climate and energy fields are the Green House Gases GHG emissions cut and the energy dependence reduction. Aim of this strategy is ensure the supply security on the medium and long term and fulfil the international commitments, in compliance with both the Kyoto Protocol and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The final energy demand reduction is, together with the fuel-switching from fossil fuels to Renewable Energy Sources (RES), one of the main cards available to the EU to influence the global energy market, and to ensure the supply security on the medium and long term.

The final energy demand reduction is suitable for the targets established from the EU in 2020 through the “20-20-20 Package”: 20% GHG emissions cut in comparison to 1990; 20% RES share in gross final energy consumption; 20% energy efficiency increase (that is 20% reduction of the annual primary energy consumption respect to the 2007 baseline, equal to – 368,5 MTOE).

The report “Energy 2020 – A strategy for competitive, sustainable and secure energy” indicates the energy efficiency as the fulcrum of the EU strategy towards 2020. This strategy is aimed to decoupling the energy demand from the economic growth. The report “Action plan for energy efficiency: realising the potential” highlights the relevant energy efficiency potential suitable in a cost-effective manner. The energy efficiency target achievement, under the condition of economic suitability, is a relevant topic across the overall EU strategy in the climate and energy fields.

Aim of the paper is introduce the “2020 Package”, “2030 Framework” and “2050 Roadmap” concepts. Particularly, the main environmental/energy parameters are analysed from a technical-statistic point of view, in order to describe the current trend towards the “20-20-20” targets. A following paper will deep the impact of this targets both on the global and local energy systems, specifically analysing the energy sector modification both on the supply side and on the demand side.