GAP-JOURNAL 2012/13 - AFA

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Thus, energy security, the impact of energy use on the environment and fuel prices are
important issues atthe forefront of thepolitical agenda.
Policies for designing asustainable energy system forfuturegenerations
The design of asustainable energysystem iscrucial for the future of our economy, society
and the environment -the three pillars of sustainability (Moldan etal. 2012: 4). In
1987, the World Commission on Environment and Development defined sustainable
development asfollows: “Sustainable development isdevelopment that meets the needs
of the present without compromising the ability offuture generations to meet their own
needs.” (United Nations 1987: 41) Accordingly, industrialized countries and the UN
have been examining new policies and technology issues tomake their energy future
‘sustainable’ forfuture generations.
Recognizing the importance ofenergy for sustainable development, the United Nations
General Assembly has designated the year 2012 as the ‘International Year ofSustainable
Energy for All’ (United Nations 2013). The purpose of this initiative istoraise
awareness about the importance ofincreasing sustainable access toenergy, energy efficiency,
and renewable energy at the local, national, regional and international levels.
Today, 1.4 billion people still do not have access toelectricity, while 3billion rely on
traditional biomass and coal astheir main fuel sources. The Secretary-General has set
three ambitious objectives for the initiative, all tobeachieved by2030: (1) toensure
universal access to modern energy services; (2) to double the global rate ofimprovement
in energy efficiency; and (3) todouble the share of renewable energy inthe global
energy mix.(United Nations 2013)
At the European level, the European Council has stated its commitment to limit global
warming toless than 2°C above pre-industrial levels by reducing 80-95% of greenhouse
gas concentration inthe atmosphere by 2050 compared to 1990. Taking necessary
efforts from developing countries into account, this would allow atotal global reduction
of 50% in emissions by2050. (European Commission 2011b: 3) As an intermediate
goal, the EU has set legally binding targets until 2020 to combat climate change. These
targets which are known asthe ’20-20-20’ targets –set three key objectives for 2020:
(European Council 2009, pp. 1)
– A20% reduction inEUgreenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels;
– Raising the share of EU energy consumption produced from renewable resources
to20%;