Environment Counts | Stable energy consumption and dropping GHG emissions in the EU since 1990
Author: Geoff Zeiss – Published At: 2011-11-09 22:19 – (823 Reads)
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While total energy consumption remained flat in the EU, coal consumption dropped dramatically by 41% between 1990 and 2009. The gap was filled by natural gas and renewables.
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Between 1990 and 2009 total energy consumption in the EU
remained almost constant, increasing by only 2% over almost two decades. Secondly, coal consumption dropped dramatically by 41% during the same period. The gap was filled natural gas, consumption of which increased by 41%, and renewables which increased by 116%.
remained almost constant, increasing by only 2% over almost two decades. Secondly, coal consumption dropped dramatically by 41% during the same period. The gap was filled natural gas, consumption of which increased by 41%, and renewables which increased by 116%.
To reduce carbon emissions, the EU committed to what it has labeled 20-20-20 by 2020.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 percent from 1990 levels by 2020
- Increase the share of renewable energy sources in energy consumption to 20 percent
- 20 percent increase in energy efficiency
The most recent GHG emissions data from the European Environment Agency suggest that the EU will meet the first of these objectives.
