for the CEP the 2020 target should be 29.3 Mtoe compared to the current target of
43 Mtoe. It has also been shown that energy consumption is generally lower after
2006, both at EU level and at the level of most Member States. According to the
analysis, as well as to the European Commission Communication (2015c), it was
demonstrated that EU’s maximum energy consumption as a whole was reached in
2006; therefore, it should be considered as a basis for reporting energy savings.
However, the same point cannot be highlighted in the case of Member States. For
example, in the case of Romania, the maximum was reached in 1990, and, therefore,
it should be considered as a basis for reporting.
In 2014, the EU has exceeded its target of reducing final energy consumption, but
some Member States have failed to do so. In addition, under current and historical
conditions, there is a possibility that at least four countries will not meet them by
2020, so their efforts will have to be multiplied. At the same time, the EU has not
reached its target of reducing primary energy consumption, but it is expected to
reach it by 2020 without further efforts. However, in this case there is also the
possibility of non-compliance in attainment of the targets by at least three Member
States. It was also found that the projections of Capros et al. (2016), which support
the need for a 0.2%/year reduction in CFE and 0.8% per year for CEP, are only good
to meet the 2020 final energy target, while the 2020 target for primary energy
consumption can be achieved with a decrease of 0.4%/year, considering the
reporting year in 2014. Although, overall, at the EU level, the 2020 energy savings
targets can be met if historical and current conditions are maintained, there are states
Member States that will not do so if actions to combat energy consumption increase
do not intensify.
The EU and individual Member States should reconsider the targets for reducing
energy consumption with the implementation of measures to promote the importance of energy efficiency and energy conservation among the population, focusing
on civic involvement at the individual and organization. Also, a measure to stimulate
energy efficiency may be to eliminate green electricity taxation over a period of time
or, like the Swedish measure, to eliminate electricity taxation over a 5-year period for
those companies that implement an energy management system and are subject to
audit energy strategy, following which energy efficiency measures suggested by
these assessments are adopted (European Commission 2015b). Another recommendation is to improve the situation of the external balance of services and goods, as
well as to finance the health system which, according to the analysis of the third
chapter, stimulates the reduction of energy consumption.
Secondly, EU interim targets for 2010 and 2015 on the share of renewable
energies in total gross final consumption of energy have been reached and overcome
without problems. However, meeting the 2020 and 2030 targets at both EU and
Member State level is questioned. From projections based on historical developments after 2005, ceteris paribus, 7 countries out of 28 will face difficulties in
meeting the 2020 target, requiring new solutions to drive renewable energy implementation and reconsider the effectiveness of policies and instruments used in the
field. Finally, it was found that the European Union has adopted energy policies to
reduce GHG emissions and to promote more energy-efficient green energy use over
9 Creating Sustainable Energy for Future Generations
155
43 Mtoe. It has also been shown that energy consumption is generally lower after
2006, both at EU level and at the level of most Member States. According to the
analysis, as well as to the European Commission Communication (2015c), it was
demonstrated that EU’s maximum energy consumption as a whole was reached in
2006; therefore, it should be considered as a basis for reporting energy savings.
However, the same point cannot be highlighted in the case of Member States. For
example, in the case of Romania, the maximum was reached in 1990, and, therefore,
it should be considered as a basis for reporting.
In 2014, the EU has exceeded its target of reducing final energy consumption, but
some Member States have failed to do so. In addition, under current and historical
conditions, there is a possibility that at least four countries will not meet them by
2020, so their efforts will have to be multiplied. At the same time, the EU has not
reached its target of reducing primary energy consumption, but it is expected to
reach it by 2020 without further efforts. However, in this case there is also the
possibility of non-compliance in attainment of the targets by at least three Member
States. It was also found that the projections of Capros et al. (2016), which support
the need for a 0.2%/year reduction in CFE and 0.8% per year for CEP, are only good
to meet the 2020 final energy target, while the 2020 target for primary energy
consumption can be achieved with a decrease of 0.4%/year, considering the
reporting year in 2014. Although, overall, at the EU level, the 2020 energy savings
targets can be met if historical and current conditions are maintained, there are states
Member States that will not do so if actions to combat energy consumption increase
do not intensify.
The EU and individual Member States should reconsider the targets for reducing
energy consumption with the implementation of measures to promote the importance of energy efficiency and energy conservation among the population, focusing
on civic involvement at the individual and organization. Also, a measure to stimulate
energy efficiency may be to eliminate green electricity taxation over a period of time
or, like the Swedish measure, to eliminate electricity taxation over a 5-year period for
those companies that implement an energy management system and are subject to
audit energy strategy, following which energy efficiency measures suggested by
these assessments are adopted (European Commission 2015b). Another recommendation is to improve the situation of the external balance of services and goods, as
well as to finance the health system which, according to the analysis of the third
chapter, stimulates the reduction of energy consumption.
Secondly, EU interim targets for 2010 and 2015 on the share of renewable
energies in total gross final consumption of energy have been reached and overcome
without problems. However, meeting the 2020 and 2030 targets at both EU and
Member State level is questioned. From projections based on historical developments after 2005, ceteris paribus, 7 countries out of 28 will face difficulties in
meeting the 2020 target, requiring new solutions to drive renewable energy implementation and reconsider the effectiveness of policies and instruments used in the
field. Finally, it was found that the European Union has adopted energy policies to
reduce GHG emissions and to promote more energy-efficient green energy use over
9 Creating Sustainable Energy for Future Generations
155