This Road Map, an integral part of the Strategic European Energy Review, sets out a longterm vision for renewable energy sources in the EU. It proposes that the EU establish a mandatory (legally binding) target of 20% for renewable energy's share of energy consumption in the EU by 2020, explains why it is necessary, and lays down a pathway for mainstreaming renewables into EU energy policies and markets. It further proposes a new legislative framework for the promotion and the use of renewable energy in the European Union. In doing so, it will provide the business community with the long term stability it needs to make rational investment decisions in the renewable energy sector so as to put the European Union on track towards a cleaner, more secure and more competitive energy future.
The relationship, on a global basis, between the amount of N fixed by chemical, biological or atmospheric processes entering the terrestrial biosphere, and the total emission of nitrous oxide (N2O), has been re-examined, using known global atmospheric removal rates and concentration 5 growth of N2O as a proxy for overall emissions. The relationship, in both the pre-industrial period and in recent times, after taking into account the large-scale changes in synthetic N fertiliser production and deforestation, is consistent, showing an overall conversion factor of 3–5%. This factor is covered only in part by the 1% of “direct” emissions from agricultural crop lands estimated by IPCC 10 (2006), or the “indirect” emissions cited therein. This means that the extra N2O entering the atmosphere as a result of using N to produce crops for biofuels will also be correspondingly greater than that estimated just on the basis of IPCC (2006). When the extra N2O emission from biofuel production is calculated in “CO2-equivalent” global warming terms, and compared with the quasi-cooling effect of “saving” emissions of 15 fossil fuel derived CO2, the outcome is that the production of commonly used biofuels, such as biodiesel from rapeseed and bioethanol from corn (maize), can contribute as much or more to global warming by N2O emissions than cooling by fossil fuel savings. Crops with less N demand, such as grasses and woody coppice species have more favourable climate impacts. This analysis only considers the conversion of biomass to 20 biofuel. It does not take into account the use of fossil fuel on the farms and for fertilizer and pesticide production, but it also neglects the production of useful co-products. Both factors partially compensate each other. This needs to be analyzed in a full life cycle assessment.
This publication is intended for those involved in analytical and policy work related to international energy issues. It provides detailed statistics on production, trade and consumption for each source of energy in the OECD in a common format (definitional and methodological) for all Member countries.
This report describes possible impacts of climate change and vulnerabilities of the environment, economy and society in Switzerland due to the emission of greenhouse gases that are to be expected up to the year 2050. The potential impacts on various areas are discussed, as well as measures and strategies to adapt to the expected changes. Because global emissions reduction can only mitigate the situation in the long run, the expected global warming to 2050 will take place largely independently from such efforts. If greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced considerably within the coming decades, the consequences of warming may turn out to be much more severe in the second half of the century than those presented in this report.
So far, in most European countries, the amount of energy required for heating is greater by far than the energy used for space cooling on a national basis– even in the service sector. But due to higher internal loads, the proliferation of fashionable glass facades, thermal insulation, and rising standards of comfort, the cooled floor area is steadily increasing. Events like the extraordinary hot summer of 2003 are accelerating this trend and steadily rising mean annual temperatures (1.3°C during the 20th century in Switzerland) are increasing the specific energy demand for space cooling. In this paper, we provide evidence regarding the increasing relevance of thermal discomfort in terms of overheating, due to both building retrofits and climate change. Further, possible changes in heating and cooling energy demand over the next 30 years are explored for two climate variants: mean annual temperatures remaining constant and a second case in which temperatures increase until 2035 by +1°C in winter and +2°C in summer. The possible impacts on the CO2 emissions in different European locations are evaluated considering the CO2 intensity of the heating fuels, the market penetration of electric heating, and the CO2 intensity of electricity production. For much of Europe, increases in cooling energy demand due to global warming will be outweighed by reductions in the need for heating energy. Depending on the generation mix in particular countries, the net effect on CO2 emissions may be an increase even where overall demand for delivered energy is reduced. Strategies and measures in the building sector to minimize possible negative impacts of climate change on energy demand for heating and cooling are discussed.
During the last few years various documents, publications and reports which reflect approaches, tools and activities that support the implementation of an ecological network across the Alps have been published. Some of this information had not been made available for a wide public until now. Others exist only as comprehensive independent publications. Therefore these activities and results have now been compiled and summarised by the Ecological Continuum Initiative in the report “Implementing a Pan-Alpine Ecological Network - A Compilation of Major Approaches, Tools and Activities”. Along with the report, a CD is provided containing all information that is digitally available.
Within the Continuum Project (pre-project July 2007-December 2008, see page 2), four aspects considering the planning and implementation of ecological networks in Alpine space have been deepened: The evaluation and assessment of existing approaches (Work package A ; WPA), the listing and description of existing measures (Work package B), first elements for communication on ecological networks and mobilisation of stakeholders in appropriate pilot regions (Wok package C) and preparing future projects on ecological networks (Work package D). See: http://www.alpineecological- network.org This report summarizes the results of Wok package A, aiming at an overview on existing approaches and an assessment in view of their application in Alpine space and in pilot regions.
The purpose of the Ecological Network Platform of the Alpine Convention is to create a transnational ecological network. The Platform provides a framework within which the Alpine countries can compare their experiences, work together to develop methodologies and measures, and coordinate their activities. Raising the profile of the ecological network through targeted PR activities is also a priority. In order to promote the creation of this network, we decided to select and support pilot regions which would implement and test measures designed to create geographical links. By designating pilot regions for the Alpine ecological network, we want to recognise the contribution of regions that have worked hard to establish ecological networks within the Alps and to ensure sustainable regional development. For example, the pilot region label can be used to endorse a protected area that has implemented ecological (networking) projects that extend beyond its own boundaries. The chosen pilot regions will benefit from ecological and socio-economic advantages, which should inspire other regions to make their own contribution to the ecological network. This report sets out: - the selection criteria for designating pilot regions for the Alpine ecological network - the selection and follow-up processes - the potential benefits of selection
The alpine arc spans eight countries and therefore consists of a variety of cultures and languages. Cross-border co-operation or i.e. the realization of multilingual events is sometimes difficult due to language barriers or misunderstandings. For this reason the Consortium of the Continuum Project prepared a glossary on the topic of ecological networks, which should function as a tool to facilitate communication throughout the Alps. Stakeholders, active involved people or translators could use it as a basis for their work when collaborating with foreign-language persons. The glossary includes relevant terms in English and their translations to the four main Alpine languages. A short explanation of the term in English should facilitate the understanding, but has in the most cases no scientific reference. The document is a work in progress and will be extended by time or if necessary. Other by the Consortium known glossaries, dictionaries or i.e. the LexALP Information System (http://lexalp.eurac.edu:8080/termbank/LexALP.po) which meets the need for clear and coherent terminology in supranational communication and cooperation within the Alps, will be checked regularly. If you have any suggestions (mistakes, terms to be added etc) regarding the glossary you are welcome to send them to [email protected].
The Alp-Water-Scarce consortium has the pleasure to invite you to the final conference of the project. In a series of keynote lectures and project-related presentations, an overview will be provided of the challenges of water scarcity in different regions of the Alps likely to be or already affected by climate change. The conference will be of particular interest to experts in the field of water management, scientists and other stakeholders concerned by this topic.
The Action Plan following the Ministers' Declaration of Alpbach rests on the joint commitments taken by the Alpine countries which fall under the Framework Convention on climate change and the Kyoto Protocol. This Action Plan is part of the ongoing discussions to reach a comprehensive and ambitious post-2012 agreement and takes into account the commitments made in this regard by the European Union. Its aim is to go beyond the general framework to offer concrete measures that are specific to the Alps by promoting, both in terms of mitigation and adaptation, themes and measures that could be the subject of regional co-operations in the frame of the Alpine Convention, and by taking into account actions that are already in place on a national, regional and local level. The Action Plan on Climate contributes to both the global effort aiming at reducing greenhouse effect following international commitments by the Contracting Parties and to the quality of life of Alpine populations for present and future generations.
Prepared by the plattform WISO (Large carnivores, wild ungulates and society) of the alpine convention, adopted by the 11th alpine conference, Brdo Slovenia, March 2011