Green Growth and EU MEP Zigmantas Balčytis 2012

EU 2020 Strategy Presented in 2010 by European Commission Primary goal to restore the economies of EU member states 20/20/20 formula

Green policy main targets Energy: renewable energy sources, solar, wind or wave power, bio fuels and many others. Transport: electric vehicles, bio fuel, trains.

Changing grounds Expensive oil and fossil fuels, strong price fluctuations. Ukraine-Russia gas crisis The issue of energy security

Lisbon Treaty Common EU energy policy Emphasizing renewable energy sources Smart infrastructure

How ecological objectives relates to economic ones? Transformation of: -Cities -Transport systems; -Buildings; -Energy infrastructure Leads to mega investment projects.

Progress made Denmark did well exporting wind energy turbines globally as well as made their home economy less dependent on the fossil fuels by consuming more of locally made renewable energy. Siemens example in Germany.

Obstacles In order to employ renewables in a scale of EU - wide, smart infrastructure of Connections is needed. It costs a lot and it is hard to make it happen because of competing interests of energy firms.

Obstacles 2 Huge differences in competitiveness of the different EU member states. Some made huge progress already, while the others have other urgent tasks. (e.g. the closure of nuclear reactor). Old VS. New

EU opportunity When you use resources more efficiently, you increase productivity, when you increase productivity, you reach higher levels of growth and economic wellbeing.

Thank You,