Phasing out fossil fuel power is essential

Activists helping out with the much-needed phase-out. Flickr.com / Tim Wagner cc-by

The EU should seize the opportunity to replace ageing and end-of-life coal-fired plants with renewable energy sources.

Significant changes will be needed in the member states’ energy-generating mix if the European Union is to meet its goal to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80–95 per cent by 2050, according to a recent European Environment Agency (EEA) report. While the European Union has made progress in improving energy efficiency and using renewable energy sources, a well-planned transition away from carbon-intensive power generation is needed.

The report “Transforming the EU power sector: avoiding a carbon lock-in” stresses the need for the EU to become more forward-looking when it comes to investing in cleaner energy sources. It calls on the EU to seize the opportunity to decarbonise the energy generating sector, replacing ageing and end-of-life coal-fired plants with renewable energy sources where possible between now and 2030.

It gives a detailed analysis of the energy generating sector, looking specifically at the technical lifetimes of existing fossil fuel capacity, showing that similar lifetimes in the future would be inc ompatible with the EU’s climate goals and highlighting that meeting these goals can only be realised if fossil fuel capacity decreases progressively within this decade.

The report calls for an integrated and coherent tracking of progress towards EU climate and energy targets. It also suggests that an increased alignment of energy, climate and environmental policies can maximise benefits and speed up the transition to a secure, sustainable and competitive EU power sector.

“Europe is now generating four times more wind power and 70 times more solar power as in 2005. This is good news, but a clear, forward-looking investment strategy is also necessary across the fossil fuel power sector to meet our long-term challenge to cut CO₂ emissions. Europe is committed to decarbonise its economy so we cannot afford to tie up our investments in emission-intensive technologies. Investing in renewables and energy efficiency provides the best return on our money,” said Hans Bruyninckx, EEA Executive Director.

Source: EEA News, 7 Oct 2016

The report: http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/transforming-the-eu-power-sector/

In this issue

IMO confirms 2020 date

Implementing the global rule to restrict the sulphur content in marine fuel oil to 0.5 per cent will cut shipping SO2 emissions by nearly 80 per cent and prevent more than 100,000 annual premature deaths.

Editorial: Global sulphur cap in 2020

It is now finally settled that the global cap of 0.5 per cent for the sulphur content of the fuel oil used by ships will apply from 1 January 2020.

End derogations for polluting coal plants

Effective regulation of air pollutant emissions from coal-fired power plants could prevent 20,000 premature deaths every year.

A Europe powered only with renewable energy

This vision was launched in 1992 from within the world-leading power equipment company ABB.

Small is beautiful

“Small is beautiful” was the catchphrase of the alternative energy movement of the 1970s.

Initiative to boost soil carbon

In Paris an initiative called “4 per 1000” was signed by 25 countries, with the aim to protect and increase carbon stocks in soil and to develop accounting and safeguard criteria.

Multiple actions needed to reduce food emissions

Reducing consumption of meat, dairy and eggs by three quarters in the EU will lead to reductions of 44 per cent in greenhouse gas emissions from the food sector, but other efforts are also needed to reach a 2-degree target.

Climate target for agriculture

A new study proposes that the agricultural sector needs to reduce emissions by 1 billion tonnes of CO₂e per year by 2030 to contribute to the 2°C target.

Air pollution costs trillions

Premature deaths due to air pollution cause annual global costs of about US$225 billion in lost work days, and more than US$5 trillion in welfare losses, according to a new study.

Germany’s slow decarbonisation

Germany must still eliminate 145 Mt of annual greenhouse gas emissions to achieve its 2020 climate target, 16 per cent below current levels.

Proposed gas strategy is a gamble with the climate

The EU, Norway and Russia are all promoting fossil gas as a long-term clean and sustainable energy solution. “There’s no such thing as clean gas”, says Friends of the Earth Europe.

Phasing out fossil fuel power is essential

The EU should seize the opportunity to replace ageing and end-of-life coal-fired plants with renewable energy sources.

Unique oppurtunity for Ukraine

The changed geopolitical situation in Ukraine has led to an energy crisis, and the country is now at a crossroads: sticking with coal and nuclear power or investing in renewables?

Greening transport with more electric vehicles

A large scale roll-out of electric cars on EU roads would result in significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and lower levels of certain air pollutants.

New diesel cars still emit up to 15 times too much NOx

Over four in five Euro 5 diesel cars produce more than three times their laboratory limit value for NOx when driven on the road, and two-thirds of Euro 6 diesel cars still emit more than three times their limit.

European emission trends updated

Overall air pollutant emissions keep on slowly shrinking – sulphur emissions show the biggest reductions, while there is much less improvement for ammonia and particulate matter.

Industry does not need CCS

Swedish steel group SSAB, the country’s top CO₂ emitter, foregoes CCS. It opts to replace coal with hydrogen. The cement industry and refineries also show low-CO₂ potential soon, and without CCS.

NOAA: Reefs are boiled to death

The soaring temperature of the oceans is the “greatest hidden challenge of our generation”and global coral bleaching continues for a third year due to global warming.

Main menu

Phasing out fossil fuel power is essential

In this issue

IMO confirms 2020 date

Editorial: Global sulphur cap in 2020

End derogations for polluting coal plants

A Europe powered only with renewable energy

Small is beautiful

Initiative to boost soil carbon

Multiple actions needed to reduce food emissions

Climate target for agriculture

Air pollution costs trillions

Germany’s slow decarbonisation

Proposed gas strategy is a gamble with the climate

Phasing out fossil fuel power is essential

Unique oppurtunity for Ukraine

Greening transport with more electric vehicles

New diesel cars still emit up to 15 times too much NOx

European emission trends updated

Industry does not need CCS

NOAA: Reefs are boiled to death

Publications

SINK OR SOURCE? Northern Forests at a crossroads

The role of northern forests in limiting warming to 1.5°C

Protecting Northern Forests crucial for biodiversity, the climate and indigenous rights

The 100 largest industry emitters in EU-27

Road to Nowhere

Bioenergy CCS – too little, too expensive, and not net negative

Direct air carbon capture and storage - A waste of time and energy

Carbon emissions from the cement industry can be reduced without CCS

What we do

Air pollution

Climate Change

Policy initiatives

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