Climate, energy security and innovation; An assessment of EU energy policy objectives.

The threefold objective for EU energy policies is the mitigation of climate change, the security of energy supply, and the promotion of the competitiveness of the EU economy. Possible synergies and trade-offs between the three related policy goals are discussed in this study by evaluating existing mitigation scenarios, insights from the innovation literature, insights into the potentials of and market barriers to innovative low carbon energy technologies, information on EU policies and measures to date, as well as EU external relations in the energy field.

It is concluded firstly that the synergy between climate change mitigation, energy security and competitiveness suggested by the three-fold objective of EU energy policies is not straightforward. Secondly, current EU energy policies to stimulate (nearly) commercial and immature technologies are most likely insufficient to mitigate climate change and secure energy supply up to and beyond 2050.

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