Abstract
The paper performed comparative assessment of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission trends and climate change mitigation policies in the fuel combustion sector of selected EU member states with similar economic development levels and historical pasts, and implementing main EU energy and climate change mitigation policies, having achieved different success in GHG emission reduction. The impact of climate change mitigation policies on GHG emission reduction was assessed based on analysis of countries’ reports to UNFCCC by identifying the key areas of GHG emission reduction, their GHG emission reduction potential, and the driving forces behind them. The study revealed that climate change mitigation policies that have been implemented so far in Bulgaria are less efficient than in Lithuania, as Bulgaria places priorities not on energy efficiency improvement and penetration of renewable energy sources, but on switching from coal to natural gas. The policy implications for strengthening GHG emissions reduction efforts are provided based on analysis conducted.
Highlights
Climate change mitigation policy is the priority policy in the energy sector of European Union (EU) member states.Fossil fuel combustion is the single largest human influence on climate, accounting for about 80% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
The main achievements of GHG emission reduction linked to replacement of coal by natural gas and increase of efficiency of coal fired power plants which are not covered by policy instruments described in Section 3 showing their low effectiveness and low importance for climate change mitigation in fuel combustion sector of Bulgaria
The comparative assessment of climate change mitigation policies in Lithuania and Bulgaria was performed by applying indicators framework linking GHG emission profiles, climate change mitigation priority areas, and foreseen GHG emission reduction potential by these policies
Summary
Climate change mitigation policy is the priority policy in the energy sector of EU member states. There is very limited number of new studies dealing with climate change mitigation policies in fuel combustion sector on country level [8–13] Some of these studies provide comparative assessments of European Union member states in terms of sustainable growth, by applying such indicators as GHG emissions, final and renewable energy consumption as the main environmental factors [8] but do not target comparative climate change mitigation policies assessment in EU member states. There are no recent comprehensive studies dealing with comparative assessments of climate change mitigation policies in fuel combustion sector of countries having similar environmental regulations in place demonstrating quite different results in GHG emission reduction achievements.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
