Action Plan: New Energy for Europe June 2011

Transcription

1 Action Plan: New Energy for Europe June 2011 An initiative of

2 The Young Ideas for Europe Action Plan 2011 We, the Young Ideas for Europe participants, demand action to ensure the future of energy in Europe. In the aftermath of the nuclear catastrophe in Japan and given the increasing threats posed by climate change, Europe needs a new energy paradigm. As youngsters from across Europe, we are key stakeholders in the decisions on energy and climate protection: We will be the people directly affected in future by the decisions made today. This European Action Plan 2011 was drawn up through project weeks held across Europe. During the project weeks we spoke with experts and debated with politicians the ideas we had developed on energy supply, CO 2 reduction and energy consumption. We are delivering these ideas, the ideas of Europe s youngsters, to key decision-makers who have the ability to take on our proposals and to give us a voice in issues of European policy. A. Energy supply In the aftermath of the nuclear disaster in Japan, we need to take a resolute decision on how we want to transform the European energy sector towards greater sustainability. Power generation and supply are a key element of economic prosperity and quality of life, and play a central role in the fight against global climate change. When it comes to energy, we expect responsible decisions from all actors within the political system of the EU. Objectives 1. Nuclear power: A phase-out of nuclear power in Europe should start now and should be completed by 2050 at the latest. To reach this objective it is important to find (and do research into finding) energy sources that can adequately replace nuclear power as soon as possible. To bridge the time between today and the final phaseout of nuclear power we need to invest in safety measures for existing nuclear installations. 2. Renewable energy: The renewable energy supply should be considerably expanded. The energy mix in 2030 should be made up of at least 50% renewable energy sources; by 2040 up to 60% of the energy in the EU should come from renewable sources. Access to renewable energy sources should be open and, above all, made affordable for all EU citizens. 3. R&D: Research and development into new technologies especially renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and water power

3 should be promoted. Higher R&D investment will fully pay off later, since in the long run it will help the economy to grow and will increase Europe s energy independence. 4. Joint energy policy: A common energy policy for all EU countries should be established. We can only make a difference if we work together and create one, overarching energy plan for the European Union. This also includes endeavours towards the establishment of a pan-european electricity network. We suggest building transcontinental power lines to enable efficient energy transportation, as well as smart storage solutions. Measures 1. Inter-European consultation and cooperation on energy questions should be strengthened. 2. A gradual phase-out of nuclear power in Europe should start now. Meanwhile, the safety of nuclear power plants should be accurately checked and improved. 3. Genuine competition between the big energy producers should be promoted. This will lower prices so that everybody can afford to pay for energy. 4. The expansion of renewable energies (e.g. geothermal, hydroelectric, tidal) should be adjusted to the local conditions in different European countries in order to be most efficient: solar energy in sunny areas like Spain and Greece, wind power in coastal areas for instance etc. Accordingly, the distribution of energy should be carried out according to the specific weather conditions. 5. EU money should flow into research projects that deal with questions of energy supply, security, efficiency and technologies such as the implementation of alternative energy sources. It should also be made available for the development of a new generation of generators. One idea in this context is to develop a new sort of mini combined heat and power plant that is state-owned and rented to households through micro-loans. 6. The EU would do well to support the DESERTEC project. It should, however, be careful to weigh up all the pros and cons of the project, including security issues (e.g. of possible terrorist attacks). 7. An EU Eco-Fund should be set up and be financed through both an income tax on all working people, set at 0,35%, and through penalties and premiums for breaking or exceeding environmental regulations. Another possibility would be to establish a European Renewable Energy Fund (EREF), financed by national contributions from each Member State at a level of 1% of Gross Domestic Product. This fund would be used to invest in new technologies.

4 B. CO 2 Emissions Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and as such a critical cause of global warming. For this reason it is important to radically reduce CO 2 emissions as soon as possible. Promising ways in which to do this include reforms in economic and fiscal policy as well as investments in the mobility/public transport sector. We demand new environmental legislation so that the EU becomes a global role-model in terms of the reduction of CO 2 emissions. Objectives 1. Greenhouse gases: The amount of greenhouse gases emitted by the EU needs to decrease massively. Compared to 1990 levels, we need to reduce our CO 2 emissions by 40% before 2020 and 90% before Fossil fuels: Fossil fuels should be replaced by cleaner and renewable energy sources as soon as possible. 3. Economic and fiscal policy: The EU should use more consumption-based statistics and measures in the context of European economic and fiscal policy. 4. EU as a role model: The EU should inspire other countries with its environmental performance and protection, especially in terms of the reduction of CO 2 emissions. 5. Rewarding eco-friendly companies: Companies should receive incentives to produce environmentally friendly products. Further, the European politicians should enforce higher environmental standards for imports into the EU. 6. Reforming the mobility/public transport sector: Massive investments in the mobility/public transport sector are necessary in order to effectively decrease CO 2 emissions. Measures 1. Gradually close most of the coal-fired power plants and replace them step-by-step with renewable power sources. To store energy from renewable sources in a more efficient way, we need more investment to increase capacity for electrolysis and fuel cells. 2. More green spaces should be installed in and around cities. Within these spaces we want facilities for children and the planting of thousands of trees in order to reduce CO 2 levels. 3. The EU should promote more high-speed trains instead of highways and invest in researching hydrogen-based airplanes. There should also be higher taxes for cheap flights according to the principle the shorter the distance the higher the tax.

5 4. The modernisation and usage of public transport should be actively supported, including through measures such as lower taxes for ecofriendly transportation. Innovations and improvements in the public transport sector (hydrogen driven buses, public bikes for rent etc.) should also be supported. 5. We have to expand the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), both by extending it to include more sectors and by tightening the caps on industries, companies and individuals taking part in the system. 6. Renewable energy sources should be financed through carbon taxes and via savings through energy efficiency. Building passive houses and improving filter systems in industrial facilities are just two possible areas for action on this. 7. Instead of shipping food from other parts of the world, local resources in Europe should be taken into closer consideration. Europe as a whole should be more self-sufficient in terms of food production and supply. In addition, higher taxes should be introduced on those products that have been transported over long distances or where non-renewable energy sources have been used for their production. 8. European companies have to invent new types of electric cars or hybrid cars, and the EU should start building the appropriate infrastructure for them. 9. Investments to boost eco-friendly companies, including tax cuts, green awards and competitions, or grants for going green should be strengthened.

6 C. Energy Consumption In order to mitigate global warming and guarantee security of supply for Europe, we have to drastically reduce the consumption of fossil fuels within the next years. Improving the energy performance of buildings is a cost-effective way of fighting climate change and raising energy security, while also creating job opportunities. But this is not enough: We, the youngsters of Europe, demand a rethinking of our current lifestyle and consumer habits. For that reason we need greater investments in environmental education! Objectives 1. Energy use: Reduce energy consumption and improve energy efficiency in industries as well as in households. Every individual should contribute to the overall objective to reduce energy consumption by changing their daily habits. 2. Environmental education: Foster environmental education in European society and motivate people (especially the younger generation) to become aware of the importance of energy saving and how to do it! Measures 1. We need a high-publicity campaign (run by and throughout the EU) and a broad debate that strengthens the awareness of Europeans on issues of energy consumption. 2. We need to raise awareness for eco-friendly changes to our daily lifestyles and our home lives. Such changes include lowering the temperature of each person's household by one degree Celsius, buying smart, efficient household machines and using recycled products more often. An Energy Administrator should be introduced in households to help people monitor their energy use and to teach them how to reduce their energy consumption, e.g. by illustrating energy use with a traffic light coding system. 3. It is important that we learn how to think ahead. Therefore we need to change education paradigms. To raise awareness and encourage action on energy efficiency and other saving opportunities we call for more education in the field of energy. Measures include: a. Supporting school projects and using social networks to familiarise younger generations with ecological thinking and environmental protection. In order to encourage youngsters to become aware and active, energy issues should be integrated into school curricula not later than the 5 th grade. Even pre-school students should learn how to care for the environment, ideally by an own subject environment. Finally, we need an education system with a learning environment that promotes open-

7 mindedness and curiosity, especially for natural sciences, new technologies and questions of energy policy. b. Establishing environmental education also for workers and employees: Excursions and trainings in environmental thinking should be incorporated into day-to-day-business. 4. European consumers should be sensitised and empowered to buy environmentally friendly products. 5. Environmental taxes should be introduced or, where already present, increased so as to further action on environmental protection and energy efficiency. 6. Families should receive financial support subsidies or grants to install solar panels on their roofs. The EU should also financially support those households that renovate their houses to improve their energy efficiency (towards passive houses etc.). As we Europe s youngsters will be the people directly affected in future by the decisions made today, we ask Europe s decision-makers to take on these proposals and give us a voice in shaping our common future.

8 As adopted February-June 2011 by Young Ideas for Europe participating schools: Abtei Gymnasium Duisburg/Germany Spyken Upper Secondary School Lund/Sweden XLIX Liceum Ogólnoksztalc ceim Johanna Wolfganga Goethego Warsaw/Poland Oskar Lutsu Palamuse Gümnaasium Jõgevamaa/Estonia Europaschule Gymnasium Hamm Hamburg/Germany Gymnázium Jura Hronca Bratislava/Slovakia Kozgazdasagi Politechnikum Gimnazium es Szakkozepiskola Budapest/Hungary Ostschule - Europaschule Gera Gera/Germany Wilhelm-Focke-Oberschule Bremen/Germany Gymnázium Nad Alejí Prague/ Czech Republic Berufschulzentrum Stockach Stockach/Germany Albertus-Magnus-Schule Viernheim Viernheim/Germany The project: Young ideas for Europe is an initiative of the Robert Bosch Stiftung. For more information on Young Ideas for Europe please visit Contact: Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH Ms. Mona Hinz Programm Officer International Relations Western Europe, America, Turkey, Japan, India Heidehofstr. 31 D Stuttgart Telephone: Telefax mona.hinz@bosch-stiftung.de Young Ideas for Europe Ms. Franziska Seel Project Coordination IFOK GmbH Reinhardtstraße Berlin Telephone: Telefax info@youngideasforeurope.eu