C. I. Chuks-Ezike
Robert Gordon University, United Kingdom
Title: Policy drivers propelling the uptake of renewable energy target within the European Union barriers hindering its speedy adoption
Biography
Biography: C. I. Chuks-Ezike
Abstract
It is asserted that the European Union (EU) cannot achieve its energy objectives on its own. Energy constitutes a horizontal policy issue since the EU’s energy policy is a component of policy areas such as foreign policy, environmental/climate change and competition. Core energy matters such as climate change have a global viewpoint; hence the EU approach also has to be external. The issues of sustainability, security of supply and competitiveness are common a challenge that has plagued the EU member states over the years, hence have formed the foundation of a Common Energy Policy (CEP). This policy aims at achieving the targets reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, increasing energy efficiency and increasing the share of the renewable in the energy mix. This is because oil and gas exploration has been strongly linked to environmental problems such as climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. This thus means that the EU seeks an energy that is not only available, affordable, enhances competition instead of a monopoly and is also sustainable. The author of this work is of the view that these elements of a clean and available energy are only policy drivers for the adoption of Renewable Energy (RE). This is on the grounds that RE possesses all the qualities of cleanliness and availability described hence should be an alternative to conventional energy source. It is however notable that despite the policy drivers, most nations, whilst EU nations are yet to work uniformly and steadily towards achieving the renewable targets set.