Sustainable biofuels have the potential to foster rural development and to replace fossil fuels. Although there are concerns about food security, impacts on small-scale farmers, more competition for water, local pollution and increased deforestation, this knowledge package concludes that various difficulties make it impossible to quantify the relationship between biofuel production and deforestation and to map it at the global...Read more

Renewable energy support schemes need to be well designed in order to bring forth the desired outcome, not only regarding the achievement of targets (effectiveness) but also regarding the achievement at lowest costs possible (cost-effectiveness). This knowledge package focuses on the cost-effectiveness of renewable energy support schemes within the EU and highlights design features indispensable in creating cost-effective renewable support.Read more

Policies to address climate change mitigation that have been deployed in parallel may interact with each other, with positive or negative effects for emission reductions and for cost-effectiveness. This Knowledge Package explains the economic theory behind such policy interactions and discusses why even with a carbon price (such as that generated by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme) the introduction of...Read more

There has been considerable progress until 2013 towards the EU’s 2020 climate objective of a 20% reduction. Both, the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) and non-ETS sectors have contributed to the development, especially renewable energy deployment. Part of the progress has to be attributed to the emissions reductions triggered by the economic crisis. Member States have also introduced climate policies that...Read more