Analysis of options to move beyond 20% greenhouse gas emission reductions and assessing the risk of carbon leakage Page: 6
9 p. : col. ill.View a full description of this text.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
build-up their R&D and manufacturing capacity. Moreover, studies indicate that in particular
photovoltaics are relatively labour-intensive. For e.g. Renner (2008) finds an average
employment over life of 7 to 11 jobs per megawatt of average PV capacity compared to 1 to 3
jobs for other energy technologies8 While these offers opportunities for increasing green jobs
everywhere in the world, countries are competing to attract a high share of new investment
and green jobs in these growth sectors. Developing and maintaining knowledge and know-
how in such new lead markets internally is a precondition for continued export successes even
if product life cycles also apply for these markets9.
While the EU has taken a head start, it will need to step up efforts to retain its leadership. The
adoption of the Renewable Energy Directive with the mandatory 20% target, the provision of
a carbon price signal through the ETS, and the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan
(SET-Plan) show Europe's determination to do so. But since this decision, conditions have
changed, and so has competition. From the policy side, increased R&D support, the
development of smart grids, upgrading transmission systems, and overall attractive
investment conditions are essential pre-conditions to succeed in the coming decade.
An automotive sector in transition
While being an established industry for decades, the automotive sector is equally undergoing
rapid change. More than 2.2 million people are employed directly in the manufacture of motor
vehicles and components in Europe. In the future, its success will be determined by its ability
to lead technological developments towards fuel efficient and low carbon cars, while at the
same time providing affordable access to mobility for European citizens and companies in the
light of increasing risks of oil price hikes. Here as well, the EU has taken a regulatory head-
start in order to reduce CO2 emissions of new cars to 130g/km by 2015 and 95g/km by 2020.
In 2008, already 17% of all new cars sold in the EU emitted less than 120g/km, and for some
Member States the market share of such cars was already above 25%.
The first plug-in hybrids appear on the market and many producers announce such models for
the next years. Several countries in the EU, including Spain, Denmark, Portugal and France,
are taking initiatives to facilitate the introduction of electric vehicles on their market. A
gradual increase of hybrid and electric vehicles could have profound consequences for the
competitive situation of automotive producers and the related supply chain. This poses a
particular opportunity for Europe with its 500 million consumers, provided it can respond
more quickly than its competitors to the profound challenges in terms of standardisation,
provision of infrastructure, increased low-carbon electricity generation and the right
incentives for early deployment, as well as in R&D for key enabling technologies such as
batteries, where other regions in the world are leading.
Efficiency remains the first choice for saving energy and reducing C2 emissions.
While old incandescent light bulbs are being phased out, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions by 15 million tonnes by 2020, new technologies are emerging that are much more
efficient and environmentally sound than "conventional" energy saving lamps. A set of
efficiency requirements for a wide range of products have been adopted through the Eco-
8 Michael Renner. Green Jobs. Towards sustainable work in a low carbon world. January 20089 See also the Lead Market Initiative for Europe and related analyses,
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/innovation/policy/lead-market-initiative/
EN 6 EN
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This text can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Text.
European Commission. Analysis of options to move beyond 20% greenhouse gas emission reductions and assessing the risk of carbon leakage, text, 2010; Brussels, Belgium. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc29325/m1/7/: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .