Energy

The Role of Industrial Emissions Within the EU: Trends and Policy

SNA — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 12:01:30 +0000

Greenhouse gas emissions generated by industrial activity constitute a significant share of total emissions in the EU. The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) is the cornerstone of policies leading to reduction of industrial emissions, supplemented by regulation to prevent fluorinated gases. Industry fears a high burden under the proposed 2030 targets and actively opposes them.Read more

Discussion of Climate Policy Instrument Types Applied in the EU

SNA — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 10:52:37 +0000

The main instrument categories applied within the European climate policy mix include non-market-based and market-based instruments. Both instrument types have specific characteristics and thus certain advantages and disadvantages. A hybrid policy approach can reduce short comings and lead to an improved outcome in comparison to the introduction of a single policy type.Read more

Market-Based Climate Policy Instruments

SNA — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 09:56:30 +0000

European climate policies apply a mix of different policy instruments to impose emissions reductions. Main instrument categories include non-market-based and market-based instruments. This knowledge package introduces the workings of market-based instruments currently part of the EU’s climate policy toolbox.Read more

Non-Market-Based Climate Policy Instruments

SNA — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 08:56:57 +0000

European climate policies apply a mix of different policy instruments to impose emissions reductions. Main instrument categories include non-market-based and market-based instruments. This knowledge package introduces the workings of non-market-based instruments currently part of the EU’s climate policy toolbox.Read more

Role of Countries in Climate Negotiations

SNA — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 09:51:00 +0000

Since the 1990s, almost all countries in the world negotiate on international climate policies as Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This has resulted in several milestones, but it has also become clear that countries are diverse and have different negotiation interests, which complicates reaching agreements. This knowledge package maps and explains the interaction of the...Read more

Electricity Market Design and Price Signals for Renewables

SNA — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 08:50:04 +0000

This knowledge package focuses on electricity market design to support an efficient integration of renewable sources into the European electricity system, in line with the 2020 and forthcoming 2030 targets. Considering the sustainable electricity market design, looking into design principles for integrating variable renewable energy and bridging emerging technologies, it concludes the broad variety in terms of market design possibilities.Read more

The Global Rise of Emissions Trading

SNA — Wed, 06 Apr 2016 11:08:01 +0000

An increasing number of countries and regions around the world are developing and implementing emissions trading as a way of putting a price on greenhouse gas emissions. This knowledge package gives an overview of such systems, compares design features and giving an outlook on future developments.Read more

Community Energy Projects: Europe's Pioneering Task

SNA — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 11:09:29 +0000

Involving citizens in the generation of renewable energy can increase social acceptance and thus enable the low carbon energy transition. The EU is taking a leading role in community-owned energy projects since this has emerged common practice in EU Member States. Denmark and Germany constitute two best practice examples for community energy generation. Denmark focuses on wind power plants, while...Read more

International Ambition on Targets for the Post-2020 Era

SNA — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 10:25:39 +0000

The international community is negotiating a post-2020 framework for global climate action. The UNFCCC meeting concluded with such a framework of increasing emissions reduction commitments beyond 2020. Countries are likely to attach their new post-2020 commitments to the international agreement made at this time. The role of the European Union, USA and China is crucial, given that their emissios comprise...Read more

Do Biofuels Destroy Forests? Link between Deforestation and Biofuel Use

SNA — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 09:51:11 +0000

Sustainable biofuels have the potential to foster rural development and to replace fossil fuels. Although there are concerns about food security, impacts on small-scale farmers, more competition for water, local pollution and increased deforestation, this knowledge package concludes that various difficulties make it impossible to quantify the relationship between biofuel production and deforestation and to map it at the global...Read more

The Costs of Mitigation: An Overview

SNA — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 12:29:51 +0000

There is quite a vast landscape of different definitions used for the word 'cost' related to the concepts of climate change. To enhance appropriate application and interpretation, this knowledge package explains the various terms in the climate change debate. Furthermore, it provides cost estimates for mitigation expressed in consumption losses for 2020 through 2100 and argues that costs would further...Read more

Mitigation: Co-Benefits and Interlinkages to Adaptation

SNA — Mon, 01 Feb 2016 09:49:10 +0000

Climate mitigation is a popular strategy to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Various options are available for both mitigation policy and technology measures, providing enough economic potential to offset the projected emissions growth. It is crucial for policymakers to be aware of possible side effects, such as co-benefits and interlinkages to adaptation, to pursue a cost-effective implementation...Read more

Mainstreaming Climate Change Adaptation in the EU

SNA — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 10:37:39 +0000

Mainstreaming climate adaptation concerns into other policies can increase the effectiveness of reducing climate change impacts. The critical aspect of it is sufficient awareness of decision-makers on all levels that climate change impacts should be minimised. Therefore, information on potential impacts needs to be available,so that decision-makers are aware of them and a wide range of stakeholders is involved in...Read more

The Diverse and Extensive Global Landscape of Climate Finance Flows

SNA — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 11:15:24 +0000

The landscape of climate finance is diverse and extensive. Public and private actors in projects for greenhouse gas emission reductions and climate resilience invest more than USD 300 billion per year. Scaled-up investments and leveraging of private finance are needed to stabilise global temperatures. This knowledge package gives an overview of the global climate finance landscape, with its sources, instruments,...Read more

Climate Finance for Reduction of Emissions and Vulnerability

SNA — Wed, 29 Jul 2015 13:38:26 +0000

Climate finance is defined as the financial resources paid to support climate change mitigation and adaptation activities. International climate finance as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change framework refers to the financial flows from developed to developing countries. This knowledge package provides an introduction to climate finance, including definitions and an overview of principles for climate...Read more