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Energy
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The chemical industry is a large energy user accounting for 12% of total energy
demand in Europe. Accessing energy at competitive prices is vital to enable the
industry to remain competitive internationally and an important job provider.
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Natural gas, electricity, oil products and coal are the main energy sources. The
chemical industry uses them as fuels in its plants as well as for raw materials.
More than half of the energy used by the industry is transformed into a myriad
of everyday products. These generate energy savings which by far outweigh the
energy used to produce them – just think of insulating materials.
| Supporting a European Energy Policy |
Contrary to popular belief, it is mainly policies and the dominance of a few
energy suppliers that influence the price and availability of energy – rather
than limited resources. Rising oil, gas and electricity prices are threatening
economic growth and placing energy on the top of the European political agenda.
On 10 January 2007, the European Commission published its Energy Package with the aim of creating a more coherent energy policy for the 27 Member States. Cefic welcomed important proposals of the Package and called on the European Union to seize this opportunity to pursue a more effective global approach to climate change beyond 2012. Read Cefic's press release.
The European Council on 9 March 2007 backed Commission proposals on energy and climate change, agreeing on an action plan to put in place a European energy policy by year 2009. The Energy Action Plan sets a 20 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to 1990 levels (a 30 percent reduction if other industrialised and emerging nations join in) and a 20 percent share of renewable energy in total energy consumption by 2020. The European chemical industry can make an important contribution in meeting this ambitious challenge. Read Cefic's reaction.
Mr.Theo Walthie, Chairman of Cefic’s Energy Programme, is representing the chemical
industry in the High Level Group on Energy, Competitiveness and the Environment, which was
set up by the Commission in December 2005. The chemical industry sees this as a
unique opportunity to tackle the lack of coherence between EU policies on
energy, environment and competitiveness. Cefic is strongly calling for an
effective follow-up to the High Level Group’s recommendations.
Related documents:
Cefic contact:
Peter Botschek
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| Building blocks for climate change solutions |
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