布鲁盖尔-The-European-Union-energy-transition_--key-priorities-for-the-next-five-years_8页_299kb

报告摘要

ENERGY TRANSITION: KEY PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS

Authors

Simone Tagliapietra (Research Fellow, Bruegel)
Georg Zachmann (Senior Fellow, Bruegel)
Ottmar Edenhofer (Director and Chief Economist, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research)
Jean-Michel Glachant (Director, Florence School of Regulation)
Pedro Linares (Professor, Universidad Pontificia Comillas)
Andreas Loeschel (Professor, University of Muenster)

Core Content

The document outlines four key priorities for the European Union (EU) to foster a deep energy transition in the next five years, aiming to align with the Paris Agreement and ensure economic and industrial opportunities while maintaining energy competitiveness and security.

1. Decarbonise the Transport Sector

Main Points:

Transport is the only sector where greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the EU have increased since 1990, up by 20 percent.
Road transport is the main contributor, responsible for over 70% of total transport emissions.
A carbon-neutral economy by 2050 requires stronger policies than current ones, as transport emissions might exceed 1990 levels by 15% without them.

Key Measures:

Promote public transport and alternative mobility (walking, cycling) through economic incentives such as congestion charges and public investment.
Accelerate the substitution of the current private car fleet with low-emission vehicles.
Internalise external costs of transport emissions through fuel and registration taxes.
Ensure social acceptance by implementing targeted subsidies for low-income consumers and smart city initiatives like those in Copenhagen and Amsterdam.

2. Prepare the Electricity System for a Substantial Increase in Renewables

Main Points:

The EU is moving towards a more digitalised and decentralised electricity system.
Decentralisation allows for smaller generating units (e.g., onshore wind, solar) and localised consumption and storage.
Digitalisation is key to managing the integration of renewables and enhancing grid flexibility and market efficiency.

Key Measures:

Accelerate the convergence between decentralisation and digitalisation by transforming the distribution grid into an open platform.
Define a common distribution operation code and a data coding and sharing framework to prevent fragmentation and enhance transparency.
Establish a pan-EU framework for multi-level data exchange and power-flow operation, ensuring cooperation between transmission and distribution networks, microgrids, and smart buildings.
Reform the electricity market design to fully support a high-renewables system.

3. Strengthen the EU's Comparative Advantage in Low-Carbon Technologies

Main Points:

The EU has a strong comparative advantage in renewables, energy efficiency, and e-mobility.
Public funding is crucial in the early stages of the innovation cycle, especially for energy efficiency in buildings and carbon capture and storage.
R&D specialisation in low-carbon technologies is closely linked to export capabilities and industrial competitiveness.

Key Measures:

Target public R&D investment at early stages in areas where the EU has potential, such as renewables, energy efficiency, bioenergy, batteries, and e-gas.
Create a predictable market environment for low-carbon technologies to foster an industrial ecosystem.
Support learning-by-doing and market integration of renewables through clear and stable carbon pricing and flexible grid standards.

4. Foster Decarbonisation in Industry and Buildings

Main Points:

Industry is responsible for 25% of EU GHG emissions and is under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), but does not feel the full impact of carbon pricing due to free allowances and compensation mechanisms.
Buildings are considered difficult to decarbonise due to slow turnover and low energy efficiency in existing structures.

Key Measures:

Promote material recycling by extending ecodesign directives and producers' responsibility for end-of-life products.
Create lead markets for climate-friendly options by guaranteeing carbon prices, increasing green public procurement, and harmonising labelling.
In buildings, enhance energy efficiency through standards, targeted financing, and cooperation between central and municipal governments.

Main Challenges and Considerations

Distributional effects must be carefully managed to avoid social backlash.
Technological uncertainty is higher in sectors like aviation, maritime, and heavy transport, requiring a diverse portfolio of solutions such as biofuels, green gas, and synthetic fuels.
Infrastructure and regulatory changes take 10 years to implement, so early action is essential.
Global competition is intensifying (e.g., Chinese solar panels), making EU leadership in low-carbon technologies more important than ever.

Conclusion

The EU has a unique opportunity to lead the global energy transition by focusing on four key priorities: decarbonising transport, preparing the electricity system for renewables, strengthening its comparative advantage in low-carbon technologies, and fostering decarbonisation in industry and buildings. These priorities must be supported by clear policies, technological innovation, and socially acceptable measures to ensure the transition is economic, competitive, and sustainable.