Dossier: «Realities and challenges of the European Union»ISSUE 3 (MAY 2015)

The roadmap for creating energy baronies

Abstract

The Roadmap for Moving to a low-carbon economy in 2050 states that the objective of the European Union policy for Energy and Climate is to reduce its CO2 emissions to 80 % below 1990 levels. First, the article explains that decarbonisation within this framework does not only mean a transition towards renewable energy, but also changes in the use of ‘clean’ fossil fuels, in type and location. Secondly, it shows that the investment, infrastructures and treaties proposed to carry out this transformation will lead to the creation of bigger monopolies, and to the regionalization of the European energy space. Finally, we conclude by saying that if measures to offset the power of the monopolies are not applied, the outcome of these reforms will be the creation of energy baronies.

energy transition;  European Union;  low carbon;  energy monopolies;  energy policy;  affordable and clean energy;  responsible consumption and production; 

ODS

ODS ODS 7 ODS 12

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