Energy For Sustainable Development

Energy For Sustainable Development

How is the EU SDS “Sustainable Development Strategy” dealing with the “Climate Change” problems?

The issue of climate change in the world is widely recognized as one of the major challenges for mankind in the 21st century. This is not only because it may ultimately affect many areas of our environment, nature and human activity, but also because its mitigation may have far reaching.

By: Editor123

The issue of climate change in the world is widely recognized as one of the major challenges for mankind in the 21st century. This is not only because it may ultimately affect many areas of our environment, nature and human activity, but also because its mitigation may have far reaching consequences for almost all sectors of the economy where energy conversation takes place.

Climate change is happening and it can’t be stopped, but certain measures can be taken in order to slow it down. These measures must be at an acceptable level in order to significantly decrease the negative impacts. According to the newest EU SDS “Sustainable Development Strategy” calculations, the EU will save at least 20% of its present energy consumption. This is a savings equivalent to the combined energy consumption of Germany and Finland.

The main strategies the EU SDS will take and implement against climate change are as follows:

1.Seek commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions

2.Encourage innovation and include measures for adaptation

3.Develop future policy through the second phase of the European Climate Change Program

4.Work with stake holders to develop and exploit newly systematic cost-effective options covering: cars, aviation, technology development and adaptation

5.Consider extension to other greenhouse gases and sectors, such as aviation

6.Promote the use of renewable energies worldwide

7.Commission will propose an action plan on energy efficiency to reach the estimate 20% cost effective savings potential while working with Member States to realize that goal

The EU SDS is in a well placed position to assist developing countries achieve economic growth using the least polluting technologies possible. For example, the Clean Development Mechanism, under the Kyoto Protocol, enables the transfer of these technologies to developing countries. Although climate change is firmly positioned on political agenda and some initial targets have been agreed upon within a global framework, we are still far away from a mature political and practical policy, which requires timely and appropriate results to turn the tide.