The role of the Renewables Directive in meeting Kyoto targets

There is a strong case for acting to mitigate the threat of climate change associated with the unrestrained increases in emissions of greenhouse gases. The Royal Society and The Royal Academy of Engineering therefore welcome efforts by the European Union to reduce emissions by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources but highlights a number of areas where EU energy policy could be improved. One of the main conclusions of the report is that the introduction of the correct economic instruments is the key factor in allowing the sustainable growth of renewable energy technologies. A framework of a carbon tax on all primary hydrocarbon fuels across all energy sectors is advocated.