Abstract
The European energy policy has a significant influence on the way in which environmental and energy policies are framed and implemented, not only in member states but globally. One of the important challenges of the European energy policy is climate change. Presently, the European Commission (EC) seeks to create an Energy Union, aimed at ensuring that Europe has secure, affordable and climate-friendly energy. In order to achieve this, some propose a compromise involving efficiency in use of fossil fuel and inclusion of different types of energy in the energy mix, while others are in favour of more transformative measures engendered by the Circular Economy (CE) and Cradle to Cradle (C2C) approaches to energy. Conventional and C2C/CE approaches to sustainability in general and energy in particular are not always compatible, as C2C/CE requires radical transformation rather than promoting compromise. This chapter will focus on various types of renewable energy in the context of the European sustainability challenges and explore the EU’s energy policy, providing recommendations for the long-term sustainability.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Governance and Security Issues of the European Union |
| Subtitle of host publication | Challenges Ahead |
| Editors | Jaap de Zwaan, Martijn Lak, Abiola Makinwa, Piet Willems |
| Place of Publication | The Hague |
| Publisher | T.M.C. Asser Press |
| Pages | 167-184 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9789462651449 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9789462651432 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 24 Nov 2016 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Circular economy (CE)
- Climate change
- Cradle to cradle (C2C)
- Energy union
- European union
- Renewable energy
- Solar energy
- Wind energy
