Renewable energies

Renewable energy companies support their own future by investing over 10 times more of their revenue in R&D than their fossil fuel competitors.

... Clean alternatives to fossil fuels

Switching to renewable energies isn’t just the best choice. It’s our only option. Moving from fossil fuels to renewables will not only fight climate change, it will also reduce the EU’s dependence on imports of fossil fuels and boost much needed job creation in Europe’s economies.

It’s impossible to ignore the role of energy in our daily lives. We need it to power our homes, our hospitals, our schools, our shops, our transport, our PCs and everything that depends on them - to mention but a few. Reliable and affordable energy services are essential for our whole economy.

However, our use of fossil fuels - like oil, coal and gas – as a primary source of energy is environmentally unsustainable.

The good news is that renewable sources of energy, such as wind and solar power, hydro-electric power, tidal power, geothermal energy and biomass, are a viable alternative to fossil fuels. By switching to renewable energy, we can protect our natural environment, achieve energy independence, and help avoid the dangerous consequences of global warming.

Up to 2030

In 2008, the European Union adopted the Renewable Energy Directive which requires that by 2020, 20% of the EU’s final energy consumption is generated from renewable sources.

As a result, big investments have led to large-scale renewable energy generation, and huge price drops in technology costs. Sustainable production in Europe is a success story, which must be continued beyond 2020.

It is now time to discuss the necessary framework for the next decade up to 2030. If the EU is serious about decarbonising our economy by 95% by 2050, renewables need a clear signal from our policy leaders to secure investments in clean and safe technologies.

CONTACTS

Imke Luebbeke

Senior Policy Officer Renewable Energy

WWF European Policy Office

+32 2 743 88 18

Email Imke

DID YOU KNOW? Energy obtained from renewable sources is estimated to have accounted for 12.4 % of the EU’s overall energy consumption, but only to 2% at global level in 2010. 

More than a third of electricity in the EU is anticipated to come from renewables by 2020.

Interview with Jason Anderson (WWF) on advanced biofuels and indirect land use change in the EU 

Renewable energies and energy efficiency in YOUR neighbourhood

Have you installed a solar energy system, a geothermal heatpump, or other renewable systems yourself? Or have you insulated your building to make it more energy efficient? Add your example to the map to make it visible and inspire others to take action as well. Each example is important!