Climate Change & Energy

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Our Work

Energy use, including that of the transport sector, is the main contributor to EU carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. We support the development of policies for innovation and improvement in these sectors, striving for sustainable and appropriate solutions to the challenges facing society.

We work to ensure support is properly tailored to deliver the best climate and environmental outcomes from energy policies. We have experience in a wide range of energy policy issues; the examples below give a flavour of our work in this area.

Reducing energy use
According to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), approximately 80% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to the production and consumption of energy. The decarbonisation of the both the global and EU economies can only be reached with the reduction of energy use and the extensive deployment of renewable energy sources.
Energy use can be reduced through:

Increased energy efficiency, of buildings, appliance and resource use; and
Demand management, including better consumer information and awareness.

Renewable energy technologies and planning
Size matters when it comes to renewable energy technologies, as does the underlying planning process. An IEEP report for the RSPB, Positive planning for offshore wind, highlights the need for sensitive planning for renewable energy installations. Such installations are not a magic solution and care is needed to ensure they benefit rather than harm the environment.

Bioenergy and biofuels
Bioenergy in general, and biofuels in particular, have gained increasing momentum both politically and commercially over recent years. If it is to form a sustainable part of the energy mix of the future, the use of bioenergy must, like any fuel or technology, take account of potential environmental, social and economic side-effects. Currently our work focuses on:

The sustainability of bioenergy policy;
The development of sustainability criteria for biofuels; and
Land use issues.

Carbon capture and storage: public perceptions and appropriate siting of plants
IEEP’s recent work on carbon capture and storage (CCS) has focused on the non-technical barriers to CCS development. In large part this has centred on public perceptions and acceptance of CCS plants, including evaluation of the communication strategies used to inform stakeholders and the wider public of the advantages and risks of CCS, and effective ways to involve them in local decision-making. More on this initiative: www.communicationnearco2.eu

More about our work in this area...

Latest in Energy

Shifting away from conventional biofuels

The UK has ample potential to use wastes and residues for advanced biofuels and create jobs in this emerging industry – but safeguards are key to ensure this is done in an environmentally sustainable way.
The sustainability of advanced biofuels in the EU

Using wastes and residues for biofuels has many advantages. But ensuring sustainability and including safeguards in EU legislation are critical issues.
Alternative means of reducing CO2 emissions from UK road transport

Up to 2020 greater use of renewable electricity is the leading alternative to biofuels to reduce the carbon intensity of car and rail transport fuels. To realise this potential requires a mix of responses, including: increasing the decarbonisation of existing transport fuels; improving the energy efficiency of vehicles; and changing the way vehicles are used.
Addressing ILUC? The European Commission’s proposal on indirect land use change

The European Commission’s proposal on indirect land use change – what’s in it for mitigating emissions? Read IEEP’s latest Biofuel ExChange briefing.
Biofuels and Agricultural Commodity Prices: A Review of the Evidence Base

EU biofuel use will increase the global prices of agricultural commodities, most notably oilseeds and vegetable oils. This requires close attention by policy makers.
Mobilising Cereal Straw in the EU to Feed Advanced Biofuel Production

This IEEP report, commissioned by Novozymes, considers the existing barriers, environmental risks and opportunities and the potential agricultural policy stimuli needed in order to mobilise cereal straw for advanced biofuel production in the EU.
Responsible Bioelectricity – Renewables Obligation Consultation Response

The Renewables Obligation (RO) is the UK’s keynote policy for the support of renewable electricity; but currently it fails to reflect the diversity of bioenergy feedstocks. IEEP is calling on the UK government to amend the RO’s bands to allow elevated support – an ‘environmental bonus’ – for the most environmentally responsible bioenergy solutions.
Securing Biomass for Energy

A new IEEP report outlining how to develop a UK bioenergy sector that mitigates environmental risks and promotes win-win situations for renewables deployment and biodiversity.
The Interactions between European Policy Drivers for Increasing the Use of Biofuels in Transport

Ian Skinner and Bettina Kretschmer explain the complex interaction mechanisms between the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive and the Fuel Quality Directive.
The Land-Use Implications of EU Bioenergy Policy: Going Beyond ILUC

A new IEEP briefing discusses some of the modelling work that is undertaken in support of quantifying the land use change impact of biofuel use.
Bioenergy in the National Renewable Energy Action Plans: Issues and Uncertainties

Bogdan Atanasiu’s analysis of National Renewable Energy Action Plans reveals that more than half of the renewable energy which EU Member States expect to consume annually by 2020 will consist of bioenergy.
The Indirect Land Use Change Impact of the Use of Biofuels in the EU

A new IEEP report analyses the indirect land use change (ILUC) impact of the substantial additional biofuel usage that will be generated up to 2020 by the targets under the EU renewable energy Directive. The report has recently been updated to include all 27 NREAPs.
Implementing the Renewable Energy Directive – Sustainability Requirements for Biofuels, the Question of Highly Biodiverse Grasslands

The renewable energy Directive (2009/28/EC) contains targets promoting both renewable energy and renewable transport fuels.Delivering compliance with these targets will increase demand for both biofuels ...
Implementing the Renewable Energy Directive: Consultation Response

IEEP organised a dialogue around the delivery of the sustainability criteria set out in the Renewable Energy Directive ...
Working Paper 1: Interpreting Grassland Requirements set out within the Directive on Renewable Energy (Directive 2009/28/EC)

Commissioned by WWF European Policy Office from the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), this document aims to provide a basis for discussion, clarification and interpretation of the criteria ...
Mandatory Standards for Solid Biomass for Energy Increasingly Unlikely

IEEP Analysis Briefing: Energy
Positive Planning For Onshore Wind: Expanding Onshore Wind Energy Capacity While Conserving Nature

This report jointly issued by IEEP and RSPB sets out how onshore wind planning in the UK can be improved. This concludes that the rapid roll out of new wind energy capacity, now urgent if the UK is to ...
Promoting Proactive Planning for Onshore Wind – one step in delivering the UK’s renewable energy targets

IEEP and RSPB have launched a new report setting out how onshore wind planning in the UK can be improved. This concludes that the rapid roll out of new wind energy capacity, now urgent if the UK is to ...
Biofuels Provisions in the Renewable Energy Directive - A Summary

EU Policy Briefing note - 8 February 2008

Developing a sustainable future for biofuels

Disseminating knowledge and informing the debate around the future of biofuel policy in the EU.

Highlights

Biofuels and Agricultural Commodity Prices: A Review of the Evidence Base

EU biofuel use will increase the global prices of agricultural commodities, most notably oilseeds and vegetable oils. This requires close attention by policy makers.
The Indirect Land Use Change Impact of the Use of Biofuels in the EU

A new IEEP report analyses the indirect land use change (ILUC) impact of the substantial additional biofuel usage that will be generated up to 2020 by the targets under the EU renewable energy Directive. The report has recently been updated to include all 27 NREAPs.