Challenges for the Energy Sector in Europe

© Sustainability Consult

Challenges facing the future of Europe’s energy sector were discussed in Maastricht last week at the Second European Energy Conference.  European and international communities recognise the need to move towards a low carbon future, but despite high expectations and the efforts made by several stakeholders, there remain substantial concerns about costs and the public’s commitment. 

Sustainable Energy For All?

Cornelia Smet/EU press office

When UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon announced the creation of a high-level group to drum up support for the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative (SE4All), to provide “energy access, energy efficiency and greater use of renewable energy,” back in November 2011, I was impressed by the ambition displayed but also sceptical that concrete steps would be put in place soon enough to meet the target of supplying clean energy to a projected global population of 8.5 billion by 2030.