Climate Change & Energy

Our Work

Our work on mitigation mainly focuses on the energy, transport and land use sectors. Determining the effectiveness of climate change mitigation policies requires the ability to think across sectors – climate change does not respect geographical or policy borders. IEEP’s multidisciplinary nature and range of policy expertise ensures our analysis and recommendations are realistic, sustainable and do not conflict with other environmental objectives.

Reducing energy use
According to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), approximately 80% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to the production and consumption of energy. The decarbonisation of the both the global and EU economies can only be reached with the reduction of energy use and the extensive deployment of renewable energy sources.
Energy use can be reduced through:

  • Increased energy efficiency, of buildings, appliance and resource use; and
  • Demand management, including better consumer information and awareness.

 

Implementation of mitigation legislation in EU Member States
IEEP undertook a review, commissioned by the European Climate Foundation, of the prospects for implementation of the 2009 EU climate and energy or CARE package in the 27 EU Member States. The study looked at the likely timing and form of transposition, as well as the likely effectiveness of the policies and the ability of Member States to reach the goals outlined in the package, such as non-ETS (EU Emissions Trading System) measures and progress on renewable energy.

 

The EU Emissions Trading System
The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is a cornerstone of EU climate change mitigation policy. We have reviewed its implementation in Member States and identified best practice. IEEP co-authored a report Business Action on Climate Change - Where Next after Emissions Trading? evaluating the policies to help business take action on climate change, specifying recommendations for simplifying and strengthening the policy framework. We have analysed the issues arising in linking the EU ETS to other emissions trading schemes. For VROM (the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment) we addressed the key issues in the review of the EU ETS monitoring and reporting guidelines in preparation for the Commission review of the Directive in 2006.

 

Carbon capture and storage
‘Catching’ the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced by power plants and storing them deep underground has the potential to reduce the quantity of CO2 emitted in the production of energy-using fossil fuels. But carbon capture and storage (CCS) is still a very new technology, and its true effectiveness and safety are not yet proven. IEEP has a portfolio of past work examining the non-technical barriers to CCS development, and we are involved with work on the public acceptance of CCS. This includes evaluation of the strategies used to communicate the advantages and risks of CCS to stakeholders and the wider public, and effective ways to involve them in local decision-making.

 

More about our work in this area...

Latest in Mitigation

  • New report launch: Call for a new vision for responsible renewable energy with a clear European dimension

    Claude Turmes MEP hosted an event launching both IEEP’s report and a debate on the future of renewable energy in Europe. In the our report IEEP present how a resource efficient energy system might be delivered in a way that minimises impact on biodiversity and the wider environment.

  • New report: delivering low carbon transport fuels post 2020

    How should EU policy support the transition to low carbon transport fuels post 2020? A new IEEP led report argues that future policies should be differentiated to tailor support towards specific objectives and technologies that offer the greatest potential for a low carbon future.

  • New report is out: delivering low carbon transport fuels post 2020

    How should EU policy support the transition to low carbon transport fuels post 2020? A new IEEP led report argues that future policies should be differentiated to tailor support towards specific objectives and technologies that offer the greatest potential for a low carbon future.

  • Getting delivery right: the EU 2030 climate and energy targets and the challenge of governance

    The EU’s commitment to GHG reductions of “at least” 40% by 2030 are a useful contribution to international climate negotiations. But does the package of energy targets offered by the European Council at the same time put us on the right track to long-term decarbonisation goals? IEEP’s Martin Nesbit offers a personal perspective on what needs to be done, and how the governance arrangements need to be tightened.

  • The Manual: Chapter 3 - Climate change

    This is a chapter of IEEP’s Manual of European Environmental Policy. This chapter on EU climate change policy outlines the initial EU programme to stabilise CO2 emissions in the EU with explanations of the directives, decisions and legislation that were employed to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions.

  • Europe’s Climate and Energy Crossroads – IEEP seminars for MEPs on climate and energy issues

    IEEP has prepared two briefing documents on the climate and energy challenge in Central and Eastern European Member States, and in Southern European Member States. The briefings are background for a seminar we are organising for Members of the European Parliament, the first in a series on Europe’s Climate and Energy Crossroads.

  • Space for energy crops – An assessment on the potential contribution of Europe’s energy future

    The overall energy potential that can be produced from growing dedicated energy crops on ‘spare’ land in the EU is low. This new report explores the potential for the additional production of energy crops in Europe on land not already used for food production, forestry, or providing other important services, and assesses some of the challenges associated with increasing output.

  • Environmental policy and the UK’s review of the EU Balance of Competences

    The UK Government’s Balance of Competences review has now taken evidence on 25 subject areas, including the 6 with the most relevance for the Environment. We take stock of the IEEP’s contributions, and consider what a possible UK renegotiation might mean for the environment.

  • The sustainability of advanced biofuels in the EU

    Using wastes and residues for biofuels has many advantages. But ensuring sustainability and including safeguards in EU legislation are critical issues.

  • Alternative means of reducing CO2 emissions from UK road transport

    Up to 2020 greater use of renewable electricity is the leading alternative to biofuels to reduce the carbon intensity of car and rail transport fuels. To realise this potential requires a mix of responses, including: increasing the decarbonisation of existing transport fuels; improving the energy efficiency of vehicles; and changing the way vehicles are used.

  • Responsible Bioelectricity – Renewables Obligation Consultation Response

    The Renewables Obligation (RO) is the UK’s keynote policy for the support of renewable electricity; but currently it fails to reflect the diversity of bioenergy feedstocks. IEEP is calling on the UK government to amend the RO’s bands to allow elevated support – an ‘environmental bonus’ – for the most environmentally responsible bioenergy solutions.

Highlights

  • New report: delivering low carbon transport fuels post 2020

    How should EU policy support the transition to low carbon transport fuels post 2020? A new IEEP led report argues that future policies should be differentiated to tailor support towards specific objectives and technologies that offer the greatest potential for a low carbon future.