The energy transition, why ?
In a context of significant growth of energy demand and confronted to the necessity to tackle climate change, today, there is a critical need to control energy consumption and increase the use of renewable energies.
To this extent, the European Commission sets itself ambitious objectives for 2030: a 40% reduction in the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990; an increase of the share of renewable energy in the EU’s energy mix to 27%; and a 27% increase in energy efficiency. This follows the 3*20 programme for 2020, where 20% was targeted for these three indicators.
European citizens will play a critical role in the implementation of this policy and in the move towards sustainable development: they are, truly, at the heart of the transition.
As citizens, what can we do?
Whereas each of us is different, we all share common responsibilities when it comes to energy, climate change, or sustainable development. With regards to the impact of our behavior have on the environment, we need especially to:
- Change our consumption patterns on direct and indirect energy use. This can apply to our transportation habits, the goods and services we buy, the food we eat, our domestic lifestyle, etc.
- Influence our families & friends so they take the same action
- Influence companies to adopt sustainable production patterns
- Influence politicians to change public policies, taxation and regulation.
