Decarbonisation – Origins and Evolution of the Process on the European Level

Abstract

Decarbonisation of the european economy is one of the most important megatrends that will shape economic and social development in the coming years. This paper discusses the basic concepts of decarbonisation in terms of climate change, the history of this idea development and the legal basis introduced in the European Union, including key European documents and tools influencing the process, like ETS or CO2 emission allowances. Background on decarbonisation has been presented as a European roadmap to achieve a low-carbon economy in Europe. In the article the main assumptions of the EU strategy papers like Clean Energy for All Europeans or the European Green Deal are presented. Casus Silesia indicates the basic problematic issues that coal regions will have to tackle to due to the transition away from coal. For European societies, the new environmental policy of the European Commission means the intensification of activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and switching the economy to low- or zero-carbon energy sources and technologies. The decarbonisation of the economy is an ongoing process which has been gaining momentum in recent years. The coal transition is a huge challenge, particularly for Poland.