The EU Legal Frameworks - The Sustainability of Renewable Energy in Europe - page 6

play a central role in the low-carbon-intensity economy; it could almost completely
eliminate CO 2 emissions by 2050 and replace fossil fuels in transport and heating.
It is estimated that the share of low-carbon technologies in the electricity mix will
increase from about 45 % in 2011 to 60 % in 2020 (due to the achievement of the
target for RES) and from 75 to 80 % in 2030 to nearly 100 % in 2050. The EU ETS
will play an essential role to market a wide range of technologies with low carbon
intensity, so that the energy sector can adjust their business strategies and invest-
ment to evolution of technologies and energy prices. For the EU ETS to fulfill this
function, it is necessary to reduce the maximum amount of emissions allowed under
the ETS, and that the price of permits could be predictable in the long run. RES play
a crucial role in low-carbon economy: investments in the networks are necessary
to ensure continuity of supply at any time. In fact, in order to have an electrical
system at low carbon intensity, it is essential to invest in smart grids, which allow
to manage electricity demand more effectively, to increase the share of RES, and to
achieve the electrification of transport. With regard to the transport sector, techno-
logical innovation can lead to an efficient and sustainable transport system through
the introduction of biofuels and the efficiency of the vehicles. The built environ-
ment offers the possibility to reduce emissions in the short term, primarily due to
improved energy efficiency in buildings. The analysis conducted by the European
Commission shows that in this area it would be possible to break down GHG emis-
sions by approximately 90 % by 2050, which represents an above-average contribu-
tion in the long term.
Concerning the industrial sector, its GHG emissions could be reduced by 83 % in
2050. The use of plants and industrial processes more efficiently in terms of energy
and resources, an increased recycling, and the use of technologies for the reduction
of non-CO 2 emissions could provide a decisive contribution in polluting emissions
reduction.
Even the agricultural sector will be able to cut its non-CO 2 emissions by between
42 and 49 % compared to 1990 levels by 2050, thanks to the efficient use of fertil-
izers, the biogasification and a better management of organic fertilizers, diversifica-
tion, and marketing of production at local level.
Different energy sources with low carbon emissions with associated systems and
supporting infrastructure, including smart grids, carbon capture and storage, ad-
vanced industrial processes, and the electrification of transport (including energy
storage technologies), are the pillars of energy policy for the period after 2020.

1.2 The 2020 Climate and Energy Package

In order to understand the 2030 framework for climate and energy policy, it is im-
portant to analyze and understand the 20-20-20 climate and energy package. In
early 2007, the EU proposed an integrated energy and climate change package to
cut emissions for the twenty-first century, based on a strong commitment in favor
of a low energy consumption economy, more competitive economy, and sustain-