Renewable energies

21 RENEWABLE ENERGIES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY!

The future of the world is dependent on the rapid expansion of decentralised and new renewable energy systems. While energy efficiency is the area with the most short-term potential, accelerating the build up of renewables is the world's long term insurance policy when the fossils will come to their end. The EU and above all countries like Danemark, Germany or Spain are leading the world in renewable energy technologies.

The costs of supporting faster market penetration of renewable energies are largely offset by the societal benefits they generate.

The EU's renewable energy industry has a turnover of €15bn and employs more than 250,000 people. It is one of the few industries in which Europe has a technological lead in the world

As renewables also contribute to reducing the Greenhouse Gases and air pollution, these benefits should also be accounted for. This shows that for society as a whole investing in renewables is of great benefit.

This does not even include the job opportunities created through renewables. The EU is the world leader in renewable energy technologies. Speeding up the development ofrenewables would help to keep Europe in a leadership role.

There are no real technological or resource limits constraigning the development of renewables!

Therefore the Greens urge on the European Commission and the Council to adopt and implement domestic policies and measures which will:

• Expand the EU share of renewable energies from 12% in 2010 to at least 25% by 2020
• Allow at least 50% of all energy research, nuclear research and development funds, within the 7th FP, for energy efficiency and renewable energies

However, targets alone have little value if they are not accompagnied by policies which achieve a level playing field in energy markets, elimiminate barriers and create an environment which attracts investment capital.
The EU must also remove these barriers!

In order to create a world-wide 100% renewable economy, all sources of new renewable energies need to be urgently supported and developed.
As such the Greens strongly promote the different renewable energies (wind, solar, biomass, hydro, geothermal, tidal and wave) which will not only save the climate but also create jobs.

Gradually building up a 100% renewable world is feasible and necessary!

The Shell 2050 scenario show almost 50% of renewable share. If big business thinks that it is possible, committed citizens and businesses can do better.

Renewable Energies : status report 2005 (pdf)

The European Forum for Renewable Energy Sources (EUFORES)

European Renewable Energy Council

Directive on Renewables (pdf)

The ‘Renewables 2004' Bonn conference