The European Commission’s Energy Roadmap 2050 (2011)

As the European Union has expanded in the early twenty-first century, so too have the challenges it faces in an increasingly global, technologically developed world. Europeans have long recognized that with the benefits of economic growth come environmental costs, including the effects of fossil-fuel pollutants on the atmosphere. While some parts of Europe have implemented programs to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, in recent years the European Union has taken the lead in devising a Europe-wide approach. This includes an “Energy Roadmap,” released in March 2011, with the goal of creating a more climate-friendly and energy-efficient economy over the next four decades by incorporating a broad spectrum of renewable resources into the European Union’s energy supplies and power grid. Before the roadmap was completed, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy invited EU citizens to contribute to its preparation by completing an online questionnaire related to future EU energy policies. Hundreds of people from across the Eurozone responded to the invitation. The questionnaire included a final comment section, which many respondents used to highlight their particular views on how to create and implement a low-carbon energy system in Europe. Below is an excerpt from the roadmap’s introduction along with a sampling of individual comments.

From European Commission, “Europe’s Key Challenges,” A Roadmap for Moving to a Competitive Low Carbon Economy in 2050 (Brussels, March 8, 2011). Available at http://ec.europa.eu/clima/documentation/roadmap/docs/com_2011_112_en.pdf and “Public Consultation on EU Energy Roadmap 2050” http://ec.europa.eu/energy/strategies/consultations/doc/20110307_roadmap_2050_contributions_citizens.pdf.

Energy Roadmap 2050 Introduction

The EU provides its Member States with a long-term framework for dealing with the issue of sustainability and the cross-border effects of phenomena that cannot be dealt with at the national level alone. Climate change has long been recognised as one such long-term shaping factor where coherent EU action is needed, both inside the EU and internationally.

The Commission recently proposed the Europe 2020 flagship initiative for a resource-efficient Europe and within this framework it is now putting forward a series of long-term policy plans in areas such as transport, energy, and climate change. This Communication sets out key elements that should shape the EU’s climate action helping the EU become a competitive low carbon economy by 2050. The approach is based on the view that innovative solutions are required to mobilise investments in energy, transport, industry, and information and communication technologies, and that more focus is needed on energy efficiency policies.

Public Consultation on Energy Roadmap 2050: Answers Submitted by Citizens via Online Questionnaire

Citizen from Austria

In my opinion the global nuclear renaissance is the only possibility to ensure wealth and technological advance in the world for the next 100 years without damaging the environment over a critical level. For sure this complex technology needs special attention, considering its dangers and problematic history. . . . [The] time has come to stop putting focus on national and political interests and assure global wealth and safety.

Citizen from Austria

Public acceptance will be the most important key driver for the future energy mix. To gain that we will need unbiased (as much as possible) transparency in benefits, costs, consequences, and risks. Political (both national and EU) intervention is counterproductive to achieve our aim.

Citizen from Belgium

I have [seen] how much attitudes/reactions of the public can influence progress. . . . [I]n the 80s, solar projects were supported with enthusiasm while nuclear plants were objected [to] by most people. If we observe that new technologies are best accepted when familiar, e.g., cell phones, GPS . . . even when their use may be damaging, efforts must be made in that direction for energy tech. People must realize how much nuclear plants and other “new” technologies are part of their daily lives. We cannot expect that a majority will visit information sites or conferences. So we must reach them where they are, that is, in shopping centers, music festivals . . . but mostly in front of their TV series and games.

Citizen from Belgium

Energy security is a very dangerous idea. Are we—like the US—going to start a war in a foreign country, claiming our energy security (our way of life) but in fact doing nothing else than defending the profit of a couple of capitalist players on the market?

Citizen from Estonia

Natural gas, as the cleanest of fossil fuels and as an abundant energy source within the EU’s geographic reach, should play a very important role in the Energy Roadmap 2050. Especially, when the Russian Federation is concerned, it would be fruitful to make an effort to de-politicize gas trade. Natural gas should not be treated as an enemy.

Citizen from France

Thank you for this consultation. Being able to give our opinion is new. Please go on creating links with the citizens.

Citizen from France

Education of the future energy users, which means clear, non-biased school programs about energy production, energy economy, climate change through greenhouse gases, necessary trade-offs for each energy production type and each energy consumption reduction measure. There is no energy consumption without an impact on the environment and, subsequently, human lifestyle. No ideological/unscientific parameters should influence this education of the young.

Citizen from France

Renewables and nuclear energy are the key. They must not be considered as enemies but as partners.

Citizen from Germany

Please stop this stupid discussion about climate change!!!!!!

Citizen from Germany

I wish, for the sake of our children, that the EU proposes in its roadmap an ambitious goal: 100% renewable energy in 2050. We still have almost 40 years—many things will happen in this time that we now cannot even imagine. Just think of 40 years ago—1970—who would have believed anyone telling them about the World Wide Web?!?

Citizen from Hungary

Improve the education of natural sciences and finance in secondary schools in order to develop ability to calculate with techniques, costs, and benefits on household level!

Citizen from Italy

NO NUKE, NO COAL, NO OIL. I JUST WANT ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLES.

Citizen from Luxembourg

Try to counter the irrational opposition to nuclear power. . . . Trendy green solutions are only a part of the equation but are seen by the public as the complete answer. . . . People need education.

Citizen from Netherlands

We need to evolve our economy, energy use, and way of life. We need to address these three themes, not just one/two of them. Communicating the need to take action is essential. The EU can take a leading role in transition.

Citizen from Portugal

All the green energy, green buildings, and green vehicles should be subsidized by a transparent EU energy fund. This fund should be created by penalties applied to nongreen technologies and choices all over Europe. Moving the big industries for other countries should be prohibited. Big European factories, some based in northern countries, are moved to China, to run away from climate obligations and labour costs. In the future, this practice will kill the European sustainability. European citizens should be educated to consume green products and green technologies from the European countries. This should be the way for a better 2050. Otherwise it doesn’t matter [about] not polluting in Europe, because other countries like China and India will pollute for us all. These countries should comply with European standards, if they want to sell their products in Europe. This would benefit the competition and environment!

Citizen from Portugal

Please act fast, and please be more practical. EU citizens don’t need any more bureaucratic reports or elaborate commissions, but an organization that works effectively country [by country] or region by region that could report to the European Commission. In legal terms, a stricter European environmental law, with much heavier fines for crimes against the environment.

Citizen from Romania

Fair, pragmatic, and nonpolitical treatment of nuclear energy, as part of the solution for 2050.

Citizen from Romania

Now is late. Don’t wait until it is too late.

Citizen from Sweden

It is very important that the process is transparent. . . . The objective should be to have a low-carbon energy fulfilling the three pillars: sustainability, security of supply, and competitiveness. There should not be a ban on nuclear energy. I believe that we will need all technologies we can develop since not all will be as successful as we hope today.

Citizen from Great Britain

People expect governments to manage energy supply. No one demanded electricity or gas in the beginning, it was governments that drove the spread of the networks. So [too] it will have to be with renewables.

Citizen from Norway

I believe that we must slow, or at least not encourage through subsidies, the development of nonrenewable energy sources. If we do, we cannot hope to approach a low-carbon society since it is the absolute amount of emissions that count. The, by far, easiest and surest way to reduce emissions is to gradually slow the rate of development of nonrenewables. This will result in higher energy prices which will make us more energy efficient, will make renewables profitable, and will also ensure that we retain some nonrenewable resources intact as a hedge against future uncertainty.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS