Europe's energy transformation in the austerity trap

Europe's energy transformation in the austerity trap PDF Author: Béla Galgóczi
Publisher: ETUI
ISBN: 287452364X
Category : Energy conservation
Languages : en
Pages : 174

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Book Description
Our planetary limits demand a radical transition from the energy-intensive economic model based on the extraction of finite resources, which has been dominant since the first industrial revolution, to a model that is both sustainable and equitable. Unfortunately however, energy transformation in Europe has, after a promising start, fallen hostage to austerity and to the main philosophy underpinning the crisis management policies in which overall competitiveness is reduced to the much narrower concept of cost-competitiveness. Regulatory uncertainty, design failures built into incentive systems, and unjust distribution of the costs, have also contributed to the reversal of progress in energy transformation currently observable across Europe. In this book three country case studies highlight the different facets of these conflicts, while additional light is thrown on the situation by an account of the lack of progress in achieving energy efficiency. By way of conclusion, a mapping of the main conflicts and obstacles to progress will be of help in formulating policy recommendations. Ambitious climate and energy policy targets should be regarded not as a burden on the economy but rather as investment targets able to pave the way to higher employment and sustainable growth. It is high time for this perception to be recognised and implemented in the context of Europe’s new Investment Plan, thereby enabling clean energy investment to come to form its central pillar. A shift in this direction will require an overhaul of the regulatory and incentive systems to ensure that the need for just burden-sharing is adequately taken into account.

Europe's energy transformation in the austerity trap

Europe's energy transformation in the austerity trap PDF Author: Béla Galgóczi
Publisher: ETUI
ISBN: 287452364X
Category : Energy conservation
Languages : en
Pages : 174

Get Book

Book Description
Our planetary limits demand a radical transition from the energy-intensive economic model based on the extraction of finite resources, which has been dominant since the first industrial revolution, to a model that is both sustainable and equitable. Unfortunately however, energy transformation in Europe has, after a promising start, fallen hostage to austerity and to the main philosophy underpinning the crisis management policies in which overall competitiveness is reduced to the much narrower concept of cost-competitiveness. Regulatory uncertainty, design failures built into incentive systems, and unjust distribution of the costs, have also contributed to the reversal of progress in energy transformation currently observable across Europe. In this book three country case studies highlight the different facets of these conflicts, while additional light is thrown on the situation by an account of the lack of progress in achieving energy efficiency. By way of conclusion, a mapping of the main conflicts and obstacles to progress will be of help in formulating policy recommendations. Ambitious climate and energy policy targets should be regarded not as a burden on the economy but rather as investment targets able to pave the way to higher employment and sustainable growth. It is high time for this perception to be recognised and implemented in the context of Europe’s new Investment Plan, thereby enabling clean energy investment to come to form its central pillar. A shift in this direction will require an overhaul of the regulatory and incentive systems to ensure that the need for just burden-sharing is adequately taken into account.

Handbook of Energy Governance in Europe

Handbook of Energy Governance in Europe PDF Author: Michèle Knodt
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030432505
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 1333

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Book Description
This Handbook provides the most comprehensive account of energy governance in Europe, examining both energy governance at the European level and the development of energy policy in 30 European countries. Authored by leading scholars, the first part of the book offers a broad overview of the topics of energy research, including theories of energy transitions, strategies and norms of energy policy, governance instruments in the field, and challenges of energy governance. In the second part, it examines the internal and external dimensions of energy governance in the European Union. The third part presents in-depth country studies, which investigate national trajectories of energy policy, including an analysis of the policy instruments and coordination mechanisms for energy transitions. It closes with a comparative analysis of national energy governance. This book is a definitive resource for scholars in energy and climate research as well as decision makers in national governments and EU institutions.

Retrofitting for Optimal Energy Performance

Retrofitting for Optimal Energy Performance PDF Author: Tantau, Adrian
Publisher: IGI Global
ISBN: 1522591060
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 339

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Book Description
Retrofitting expresses, in a traditional approach, the process of improving something after it has been manufactured, constructed, or assembled. These systems integrate new technologies, new functions, and new services that increase the energy performance in existing private, public, and commercial buildings. Retrofitting for Optimal Energy Performance is a comprehensive reference source that examines environmentally conscious technologies and their applications in advancing retrofitting practices. Providing relevant theoretical frameworks and the latest empirical research findings in the area, it highlights an array of topics such as climate change, energy management, and optimization modeling, and is essential for academicians, students, researchers, engineers, architects, entrepreneurs, managers, policymakers, and building owners.

Towards Greater Energy Efficiency in Latin America and the Caribbean

Towards Greater Energy Efficiency in Latin America and the Caribbean PDF Author: Pauline Ravillard
Publisher: Inter-American Development Bank
ISBN:
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 68

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Book Description
Energy efficiency is the best tool to improve sustainability and affordability of energy services. However, there are considerable challenges when it comes to identifying opportunities and measurement. This monograph provides a comprehensive understanding of the trends and progress made in terms of energy intensity in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) compared to other world regions and nationally by looking at the aggregate, industrial and household levels. Additionally, it discusses the limitations of using such indicator to measure energy efficiency in LAC. In order to complement perspectives resulting from this indicator, it investigates the counterpart challenge of promoting energy efficiency: creating incentives. To address this challenge, the present document proposes a conceptual framework through which to analyze energy efficiency policies and regulation across the region. This framework consists of four steps: Law and regulation, Types of incentives, Targets and Governance and Support. The analysis carried out leads to policy recommendations at both the national and regional levels.

Research Anthology on Environmental and Societal Well-Being Considerations in Buildings and Architecture

Research Anthology on Environmental and Societal Well-Being Considerations in Buildings and Architecture PDF Author: Management Association, Information Resources
Publisher: IGI Global
ISBN: 1799890333
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 562

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Book Description
When it comes to architecture, there has been a focus on sustainable buildings and human well-being in the built environment. Buildings should not only be environmentally friendly and sustainable, but dually focused on human health, wellness, and experience. This includes considerations into the quality of buildings, ranging from ventilation to thermal comfort, along with environment considerations such as energy usage and material selection. Specific architectural choices and design for buildings can either contribute to or negatively impact both society and the environment, leading research in the field of architecture to be focused on environmental and societal well-being in accordance with the built environment. The Research Anthology on Environmental and Societal Well-Being Considerations in Buildings and Architecture focuses on how the built environment is being constructed to purposefully enhance societal well-being while also maintaining green standards for environmental sustainability. On one side, this book focuses on the specific building choices that can be made for the purpose of human well-being and the occupants who will utilize the building. On the other side, this book also focuses on environmental sustainability from the standpoint of green buildings and environmental concerns. Together, these topics allow this book to have a holistic view of modern architectural choices and design. This book is essential for architects, IT professionals, engineers, contractors, environmentalists, interior designers, civil planners, regional government officials, construction companies, policymakers, practitioners, researchers, academicians, and students interested in architecture and how it can promote environmental and societal well-being.

Democracy and Crisis

Democracy and Crisis PDF Author: B. Isakhan
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 1137326042
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 273

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Book Description
Recent years have seen constant reports on the failures of governance and the crisis of democracy. By examining cases like Global Financial Crisis, the Arab Revolutions and Wikileaks this volume highlights tensions between governance and democracy during times of crisis and examines the prospects of democratising governance in the 21st Century.

Energy Transformation

Energy Transformation PDF Author: Claude Turmes
Publisher: Biteback Publishing
ISBN: 1785902962
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 256

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Book Description
The European Union has powerful resources at its disposal to tackle global warming; together, the countries of the EU are global leaders in the use of renewables. Why, then, has there been such slow progress in actually enforcing energy policy changes? Energy Transformation reveals the bitter political battles fought inside EU institutions over the past fifteen years between the architects of energy transition - those who develop solutions against the grave impetus of global warming - and the saboteurs, who infiltrate the highest European levels of decision-making to slow down the system transformation. Claude Turmes, a prominent MEP on environmental issues, explores a field marked equally by progress and setbacks, from the enthusiasm of the early 2000s to the relapse of the post-2008 economic crisis, with each progressive proposal facing corporate lobbying and high-stakes pressure. It is vital - now more than ever - to understand what we, as industrialised nations, should do. This is a fight not only for the economy, but for democracy and the future of the planet. With the ever-accelerating impact of global warming causing irreversible damage, the time to act is now.

Trapped in the Middle?

Trapped in the Middle? PDF Author: José Antonio Alonso
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0198852770
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 369

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Book Description
Trapped in the Middle? investigates whether middle-income traps really exist and, in case they do, how these pitfalls are manifested, their causes, what economic policy measures are required to escape from them, and what international cooperation can do to support this process.

Varieties of Austerity

Varieties of Austerity PDF Author: Whiteside, Heather
Publisher: Policy Press
ISBN: 152921226X
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 260

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Book Description
Austerity is not always one-size-fits-all; it can be a flexible, class-based strategy taking several forms depending on the political-economic forces and institutional characteristics present. This important book identifies continuity and variety in crisis-driven austerity restructuring across Canada, Denmark, Ireland and Spain. In their analysis, the authors focus on several components of austerity, including fiscal and monetary policy, budget narratives, public sector reform, labor market flexibilization, and resistance. In so doing, they uncover how austerity can be categorized into different dynamic types, and expose the economic, social, and political implications of the varieties of austerity.

Taming the Big Green Elephant

Taming the Big Green Elephant PDF Author: Ariel Macaspac Hernández
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 365831821X
Category : Economic policy
Languages : en
Pages : 419

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Book Description
In this open access publication it is shown, that sustainable low carbon development is a transformative process that constitutes the shifting from the initially chosen or taken pathway to another pathway as goals have been re-visited and revised to enable the system to adapt to changes. However, shifting entails transition costs that are accrued through the effects of lock-ins that have framed decisions and collective actions. The uncertainty about these costs can be overwhelming or even disruptive. This book aims to provide a comprehensive and integrated analytical framework that promotes the understanding of transformation towards sustainability. The analysis of this book is built upon negotiative perspectives to help define, design, and facilitate collective actions in order to execute the principles of sustainability. Dr Dr Ariel Macaspac Hernandez is currently a researcher at the German Development Institute belonging to the research cluster knowledge cooperation and environmental governance. He was/is also a lecturer on negotiations, conflict and resource management, sustainability politics, environmental governance, climate change policies, development aid and sustainable energy systems in various universities in Germany, Philippines, Jamaica, Estonia, Spain and Mexico.