Introduction

Europe is an energy dependent region. This dependency has increased in the last few years, reaching 53% in 2007. Within the EU, Denmark, is the only net exporting country of energy, therefore it is not dependent.

When analysing energy consumption according to the economic sectors, it is observed that the two main energy consumers are the Transportation sector (33%) and the manufacturing industry (28%).

Overall, the European Union has focused its efforts on coordinating the progress towards market liberalization, guaranteeing the energy supply, developing the interconnected energy infrastructures and reducing the pollution emissions, among other matters.

The EU objectives related to energy were incorporated into the «Europe 2020» smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth strategy adopted by the European Council in June, 2010. To be precise, the EU proposed to attain the following energy and climate change objectives by 2020:

• Reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by 20%.
• Increase the corresponding part of renewable energy by 20%.
• Improve energy efficiency by 20%.

As a result of the Paris Agreement that was signed in December, 2015, measures to reduce the GHG emissions through mitigation, adaptation and resilience in the regions affected by climate change were established. These measures have been implemented this year, 2020, which is when the Kyoto Protocol expires and henceforth.

The EU is already taking measures to obtain its objective to reduce emissions by at least 40% in 2030 with initiatives such as the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and its signatories, the local authorities, agree to take action to support the implementation of the European objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% for 2030 and adopt a common approach to promote climate change mitigation and adaptation.