Grassl, M. (2016). How to achieve 40% CO2 reduction in the EU by 2030 : Analyzing the correlation of EU-ETS and the support for renewables in Austria and Germany [Master Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://doi.org/10.34726/hss.2016.40920
EU ETS 2005 to 2030; public support for renewables; 40 percent CO2 emission reduction EU; passenger transport EU
en
Abstract:
- . . . the idea of the future being different from the present is so repugnant to our conventional modes of thought and behavior that we, most of us, offer a great resistance to acting on it in practice.- John Maynard Keynes, 1937 Our current period is defined as Anthropocene, describing the major influence of humans on our planet. Increasing population and industrialization, based on fossil fuels, is consuming resources of the planet in the highest speed noticed in mankind. This threatens the base of life of all species on earth. An important improvement of existing and future coexistence with nature on this planet is the limitation of greenhouse gases emitted, if not achieved, will result in global warming of the atmosphere and cause devastation of big areas needed for living for a still growing population. In December 2015 an important agreement on COP21, Paris has been agreed to limit green-house gas emissions on a global level. Papua New Guinea has submitted already the binding INDC (Intended Nationally Determined Contribution) for 2030 to be 100% renewable energy reliant. Norway presented the vision to be 100% carbon neutral in 2030. At the moment of handing in this thesis 47% of the signatories have deposited their instruments of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession. Reaching 55% the treaty will be effective. The collection of the voluntary measures defined by all signatory parties of the Paris COP21 (INDCs) will not allow to achieve the needed CO2 limits to avoid overshooting the 2-degree Celsius goal and intensified global joint efforts are needed to reach the goal. EU has already defined binding limits for its member states up to 2030, to be achieved by using EU-ETS and effort sharing actions in non ETS emitted greenhouse gases. Starting from a description of the historic development of GHG emissions and renewable energy, this paper will analyze the effectivity of the current EU-ETS system as well as the valid REN support systems in Germany and Austria on achieving the defined goal of 40% CO2 reduction by 2030, compared to 1990. More than 10 years after EU-ETS has been started, an evaluation of its implementation as well as an evaluation of the existing measures to achieve the goals in 2030 will be performed. Having in mind the 40% reduction goal for 2030 as well as the decarbonization ambition for the second half of this century, this period will see the most radical change in energy production and consumption known in history.