INDUSTRY NEWS


or to reduce other taxes, like income tax, to promote job creation and growth. Therefore, the implementation of a carbon tax can work in conjunction with the principle of protecting citizens with lower revenues. In this context, carbon taxation also makes sense from an economic justice perspective.


Carbon dioxide fees do not reduce economic growth. They change the profi tability balance between different energy sources and carriers, creating new opportunities for investments in energy effi ciency and renewable energy, with less need for subsidies.


Sweden was one of the fi rst countries to introduce a carbon tax in 1991. During the 20- year period from 1991-2011, oil consumption in Sweden has continuously dropped and renewable energy use has gradually increased. In 2013, renewable energy sources accounted for 51% of all energy use. Most imported fossil oil has


been substituted with domestic biomass fuels and, according to Energy Agency statistics, bioenergy increased from 70 to 132 TWh during the period, an increase of 62 TWh (5.3 Mtoe, corresponding to $1,8 billion annually at the oil price $50 per barrel).


The current drop in oil prices sends market signals to millions of consumers to use more fossil oil, as it is cheap. This leads to higher CO2 emissions and counteracts all global efforts to mitigate climate change. The preparation of the decisive UN climate conference in Paris this year is an opportunity for UN bodies and international institutions including the European Commission to publicly call governments worldwide to take the fi ght against climate change seriously and use this historical window of opportunity to eliminate fossil subsidies where they exist, to introduce carbon taxes where they don’t exist and to increase any existing


carbon taxes.


Carbon dioxide fees have the potential to give many countries a better trade balance and energy security, and at the same time drastically reduce dependency on fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions to mitigate climate change.


In light of all these events, it is also important to keep in mind that renewables are a means for a stable, secure, affordable and democratic energy system for the European Union, which generates jobs and wealth as supported by a number of recent studies. Renewables also offer sustainable and cost-effi cient solutions for European industry and thus contribute to Europe’s competitiveness.


For this reason, the European Biomass Association has launched at the end of 2014 a new communication campaign entitled ‘Biomass Counts’ that seeks to balance the current debates on biomass by showcasing the reasons why


AEBIOM


sustainable biomass counts in the EU policy debate.


Biomass is essential when it comes to the EU’s energy security, affordability and sustainability priorities. Our objective is to deliver the clear message that biomass plays a unique role in a strong and competitive low carbon economy. Biomass is and will continue to be a vital component of our energy mix in the mid and long-term. The fi rst event organised under the framework of the ‘Biomass Counts’ campaign took place in Brussels on 16 March and was entitled ‘Biomass – an economic asset for people and business’. It was dedicated to the positive role of biomass in tackling energy poverty and strengthening EU economic competitiveness.


*Non-ETS sectors cover, among others, small heating installations, agriculture, transport (except for the airline business) and the construction industry.


Spring 2015 5 5


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20