Energy Policies in the European Union

by Welfens, Paul J. J.; Meyer, B.; Pfaffenberger, W.; Jasinski, P.; Jungmittag, A.

• ISBN13: 9783540416524
• ISBN10: 3540416528
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-05-01
• Publisher: Springer Verlag

Summary

Global warming is a serious threat to the stability of world climate and to economic prosperity in some regions. The book offers a theoretical analysis which focuses on double dividend issues. Moreover, the ecological tax reform in Germany and the options of modern energy policy are described and evaluated. The volume presents innovative model simulations and analyzes, in the context of the model, the benefits of a modified tax reform, based on a Schumpeterian approach. Finally, implications for the European Union and other countries are discussed.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary	1	(8)
Energy Policy as a Strategic Element of Economic Policy in Dynamic Open Economies	9	(4)
Phasing out Nuclear Energy and Core Elements of Sustainable Energy Strategy	13	(34)
The Role of Renewable Energies and Innovative Promotion Regimes	14	(7)
Alternative Time-Schedules for Closing Nuclear Power Plants	21	(12)
Energy Security and the External Dimension of Energy Supply	33	(4)
Phasing out Nuclear Energy	37	(1)
Issues of Reprocessing Nuclear Fuel and the Treatment and Storage of Nuclear Waste	38	(3)
Forms and Effects of an Ecological Tax Reform in the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden	41	(6)
Ecological Tax Reform: Theory, Modified Double Dividend and International Aspects	47	(32)
Basic Theory	47	(1)
Crucial Issues	48	(1)
Innovation-Augmented Tax Reform	49	(16)
The Traditional Approach: Reducing Labour Costs	53	(1)
The Schumpeterian Approach: Raising R&D Support	53	(4)
Empirical Links Between R&D, Output, Exports and Employment: Germany, France and Sweden	57	(8)
Reforms of the ESI in England and Wales - Lessons for Other European Countries	65	(14)
Pro-competitive Restructuring	65	(3)
Regulation for Competition	68	(2)
Privatisation	70	(2)
The Fossil Fuel Levy	72	(1)
Assessment: Market and Prices	73	(6)
The Policy Framework in Europe and Germany	79	(16)
EU Energy Policy and Germany's Ecological Tax Reform	79	(10)
Modelling an Innovation-Augmented Ecological Tax Reform	89	(2)
The Simulation Results	91	(3)
Some Caveats	94	(1)
Optimal Ecological Tax Reform: Options and Recommendations for an EU-Action Plan	95	(6)
Optimal Split of Tax Revenue	96	(1)
Towards Higher R&D Expenditures in the EU	97	(1)
Potential Complementary Measures	98	(1)
Recommendation of EU Action Plan	99	(1)
Facing Global Energy Efficiency Issues	99	(2)
Conclusions	101	(6)
Appendix	107	(24)
Bibliography	131	(10)
List of Tables	141	(2)
List of Figures	143