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Optimal Timing of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Abatement in Europe

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  • Chryso Sotiriou

    (Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, 3603 Limassol, Cyprus)

  • Theodoros Zachariadis

    (Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Cyprus University of Technology, 3603 Limassol, Cyprus)

Abstract

Decarbonization by the mid-21st century requires strong commitment to greenhouse emission abatement measures, but national emission reduction pledges are made for the medium term. Achieving medium term targets without taking into account the long term can lead to a lock-in effect, binding countries in pathways that cannot lead to strong decarbonization. This paper sheds light in this issue by combining a theoretical approach with real-world engineering and cost data. We develop a constrained optimization model to examine least-cost greenhouse gas emission abatement pathways, taking into account (a) emission reduction objectives for two years: 2030 and 2050; and (b) the potential speed of implementation of each measure, which expresses technical and behavioural inertia in the deployment of a measure. We focus on European countries and economic sectors that are not subject to the EU Emissions Trading System. We derive relationships between 2030 abatement targets of varying ambition and the possibility for a country to achieve a strong 2050 target. We find that more ambitious EU-wide targets have to be set by 2030 so that Europe delivers deep decarbonization by 2050. Moreover, if air pollution costs are taken into account, strong decarbonization by 2050 has lower social costs than less ambitious policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Chryso Sotiriou & Theodoros Zachariadis, 2019. "Optimal Timing of Greenhouse Gas Emissions Abatement in Europe," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:10:p:1872-:d:231818
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ringel, Marc & Knodt, Michèle, 2018. "The Governance of the European Energy Union: Efficiency, effectiveness and acceptance of the Winter Package 2016," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 110990, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
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    4. Adrien Vogt-Schilb & St�phane Hallegatte & Christophe de Gouvello, 2015. "Marginal abatement cost curves and the quality of emission reductions: a case study on Brazil," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 15(6), pages 703-723, November.
    5. Adrien Vogt‐Schilb & Stephane Hallegatte, 2017. "Climate policies and nationally determined contributions: reconciling the needed ambition with the political economy," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 6(6), November.
    6. Sotiriou, Chryso & Michopoulos, Apostolos & Zachariadis, Theodoros, 2019. "On the cost-effectiveness of national economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions abatement measures," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 519-529.
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    2. Vassilis Stavrakas & Nikos Kleanthis & Alexandros Flamos, 2020. "An Ex-Post Assessment of RES-E Support in Greece by Investigating the Monetary Flows and the Causal Relationships in the Electricity Market," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-29, September.

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