Energy and climate change mitigation (Work Package 4b)

Socio-economic development is also driven by the availability of energy, which is a crucial input and accounts for a significant share of several Mediterranean countries export revenues. The Mediterranean countries and in particular Algeria and Libya, are already among the EU’s energy suppliers, and in the foreseeable future, their role is expected to increase. The shift to a low-carbon economy can translate into losses in oil and gas revenues while at the same time promoting the development of renewable energy sources, such as solar energy. Moreover, demographic pressures and increased economic activity will translate into a rising demand for electricity thus creating challenges in terms of supply and climate warming mitigation. In order to give practical insights into the options available for policymakers, this work package will undertake four tasks:

  • a critical assessment of oil reserves, resources, and infrastructures taking into account the transit role of the region;
  • an assessment regarding the scope for enhancing the region’s contribution to the mitigation of global warming through the development of renewable energy sources and energy saving strategies and investments;
  • an exploration of several energy supply and demand scenarios and their respective socio-economic and environmental implications; and,
  • an exploration of different policy scenarios for closer cooperation between the EU and the Mediterranean countries in order to increase mutually beneficial energy exchanges and to embark the region on sustainable energy development paths.

The analysis undertaken in this work package will be closely related to demography and ageing (work package 3). Changes in demography will translate into changes in energy demand through both direct and indirect channels. For example, an increase in population will translate into an increase in the demand for energy and water, thus calling for different strategies to preserve both water resources and agricultural production while at the same time protecting local environments .

The work package 4b, is led by Dr. Manfred Hafner from FEEM.

Publications

A New Euro-Mediterranean Energy Roadmap for a Sustainable Energy Transition in the Region
Date of publication: Tuesday, 19 February, 2013
This paper addresses the urgent need for a sustainable energy transition in the southern and eastern Mediterranean region. It analyses the unsustainable burden of universal energy subsidies and calls for new development paths unlocking the huge...
Institution:
FEEM
The Relationship between Energy and Socio-Economic Development in the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean
Date of publication: Thursday, 7 February, 2013
This report aims to identify, explain and detail the links and interactions in Southern Mediterranean Countries (SMCs) between energy supply and demand and socio-economic development, as well as the potential role of energy supply and demand...
Institution:
CASE
Energy Efficiency: Trends and Perspectives in the Southern Mediterranean
Date of publication: Thursday, 13 December, 2012
This paper has two objectives. First, it attempts to establish the potential of policies on energy efficiency and energy demand-side management in the southern Mediterranean region. Second, by examining past trends in energy intensity and trends up...
Institution:
FEMISE
Prospects for Energy Supply and Demand in the Southern Mediterranean: Scenarios for 2010–30
Date of publication: Thursday, 13 December, 2012
The aim of this technical report is to quantify alternative energy demand and supply scenarios for ten southern and eastern Mediterranean countries up to 2030. The report presents the model-based results of four alternative scenarios that are...
Institution:
E3M Lab at ICCS/NTUA
Outlook for Oil and Gas in Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Countries
Date of publication: Friday, 9 November, 2012
The aim of this report is to elaborate the MEDPRO Energy Reference Scenario for oil and gas supply and demand up to 2030 for southern and eastern Mediterranean countries. The report gives an assessment of - oil and gas reserves by country; - oil...
Institution:
FEEM
Outlook for Electricity and Renewable Energy in Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Countries
Date of publication: Wednesday, 3 October, 2012
The aim of this report is to elaborate the MEDPRO Energy Reference Scenario for electricity demand and power generation (by energy source) in the southern and eastern part of the Mediterranean (MED-11 countries) up to 2030. The report assesses...
Institution:
FEEM
Carbon Market Opportunities in Southern Mediterranean Countries
Date of publication: Monday, 19 March, 2012
To date, Southern Mediterranean countries have hosted a limited number of projects under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). There are three challenges to the participation of middle income countries in future carbon markets: the limited size of...
Institution:
CEPS