EU Doubling Down on Net-zero

…EU Doubling Down on Net-zero…

Initial communications indicate that the EU, and especially Germany, will double down on their efforts to achieve net-zero carbon by 2050, in-spite of Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine.

Here is a quotation from a February 22 article from Clean Energy Wire (CLEW), two days prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but immediately following Germany’s closing of Nord Stream 2: 

“The decision [to close NS2] intensified calls … to speed up the move to renewables to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuel imports.” 

On March 2, after the Russian invasion, Germany’s economy and climate minister Robert Habeck said:

“Fundamentally, independence and sovereignty in energy policy and climate-neutral energy production are the same thing.” 

He also said, in the short term, he wouldn’t rule out keeping coal-fired power plants in reserve or “perhaps even leave them running” as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile a think tank called for, 

“Increased subsidies and legal measures to completely switch the heating supply for the country’s buildings to renewable energy sources by 2035.”

Dr. Simone, president of the German Renewable Energies Federation (BEE), umbrella organization for 25 renewable energy associations, said: 

“The Platform for a climate-neutral electricity system anchored in the coalition agreement, should start work immediately in order to explore the possibilities of comprehensive domestic supply with renewable energies,”

And also from BEE, a call to increase hydrogen and Biogas:

“Germany currently has more than 9,500 biogas plants, which together produce about 10 billion cubic meters of gas with an energy content of about 100 terawatt hours (TWh) per year.” 

Hermann Ott, head of Germany’s ClientEarth’s office said: 

“Increasing gas infrastructure must be avoided at all costs to avert dangerous climate change impacts.”

And in the UK, the Guardian, a leftist paper, reported:

“Fossil fuel companies are trying to exploit this war for their gain.”

“Never ones to let a good crisis go to waste, the fossil fuel industry and their allies have taken to the airwaves over the last few days to try and use the Russian invasion of Ukraine as an excuse for greater oil and gas development.”

Change may be possible, but, aside from some rhetoric, there doesn’t seem to be real support for change.

For example, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced Germany would send aid to Ukraine, increase Germany’s military strength, and, if necessary, continue using coal and nuclear power. He also said Germany would build two LNG import terminals.

However, in addition, he said:

“The faster we make progress with the development of renewable energies, the better.”

“We are on the right track. We are an industrialized country aiming to become carbon-neutral by 2045!”

There should be no misunderstanding. The EU, and Germany in particular, still seem bent on eliminating fossil fuels.

These positions could change, but statements coming from Europe seem to demonstrate the imbedded determination in Europe, and especially Germany, to eliminate fossil fuels.

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