The role of renewable energy sources within the framework of the Kyoto Protocol: the case of Greece

Abstract

The exploitation of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) forms an integral part of the effort to reduce the negative impacts from the use of fossil fuels and to confront the risks associated with climate change. The Kyoto Protocol (KP) sets legally binding commitments for developed countries with respect to their greenhouse gases emissions and, in that, represents the first step of a systematic effort for stabilization of greenhouse gases concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. Taking into account that CO2, originating almost exclusively from energy processes, is the most important greenhouse gas, the further development of RES forms an essential measure for the reduction of emissions. This paper examines whether the current development and planned actions in the field of the RES, even when straightforwardly associated with very ambitious targets for the present decade (e.g., the draft European Directive on the promotion of electricity from renewable energy sources in the internal electricity market), are sufficient in order to achieve the commitments according to the KP or more effort is needed in the direction of RES exploitation, combined with complementary actions such as energy conservation.