Details zur Publikation

Kategorie Textpublikation
Referenztyp Berichte
URL http://hdl.handle.net/10419/48674
Volltext Publikationsdokument
Titel (primär) Why should support schemes for renewable electricity complement the EU Emissions Trading Scheme?
Autor Lehmann, P.; Gawel, E.
Quelle UFZ Discussion Papers
Erscheinungsjahr 2011
Department OEKON
Band/Volume 5/2011
Seite bis 21
Sprache englisch
Keywords EU Emissions Trading System; market failure; path dependency; policy failure; policy mix; renewable energies; subsidies
Abstract

In virtually all EU Member States, the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is complemented by support schemes for electricity generation from renewable energy sources (RES-E). This policy mix has been subject to strong criticism. It is mainly argued that RES-E schemes contribute nothing to emissions reduction and undermine the cost-effectiveness of the EU ETS. Consequently, many scholars suggest the abolition of RES-E schemes. However, this conclusion rests on quite narrow and unrealistic assumptions about the design and performance of markets and policies. This article provides a systematic and comprehensive review and discussion of possible rationales for combining the EU ETS with RES-E support schemes. The first and most important reason may be restrictions to technology development and adoption. These may be attributed to the failure of markets as well as policies, and more generally to the path dependency in socio-technical systems. Under these conditions, RES-E schemes are required to reach sufficient levels of technology development. In addition, it is highlighted that in contrast to the EU ETS RES-E support schemes may provide benefits beyond mitigating climate change.

dauerhafte UFZ-Verlinkung https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=11307
Lehmann, P., Gawel, E. (2011):
Why should support schemes for renewable electricity complement the EU Emissions Trading Scheme?
UFZ Discussion Papers 5/2011
Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung - UFZ, Leipzig, 21 pp.