Reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and the transition to a low carbon economy are without doubt the highest priorities of energy and environmental policies and strategies in many developed countries. Industry has an important impact on both sides, significantly contributing to the GDP, while emitting GHG, also significantly. Industry accounts for over 30% of the final energy consumed in the world and more than 40% of all GHG emissions (taking into account discharges in the use and conversion of fuels, process discharges and indirect discharges of electricity and district heating). Mitigation policy measures in general are dictated mainly by environmental and energy policies, energy supply requirements and business interests of various actors. In this research paper, the GHG emissions trends in Slovenian industry are presented, taking into account discharges in the use and conversion of fuels and process discharges. Furthermore, GHG mitigation policy targeting industrial sector is reviewed and discussed, to highlight the existing and proposed measures and industrial practices. The results of the research work show that GHG emissions in Slovenian industry sector are decreasing, mostly due to energy efficiency measures and process improvements that can mostly be attributed to the individual initiatives of energy intensive industries. The transition to a low-carbon economy is somewhat of a great development opportunity and challenge for the Slovenian industry, since it is necessary to reduce costs, while achieving the best environmental, economic and technological effects. Mitigation policy and corresponding GHG reduction measures should be implemented in a way to support the interdependent aspects of such transition.
COBISS.SI-ID: 32015143
A systematic approach to national energy and climate planning requires proper understanding of interactions among the main factors influencing development of energy sector and climate mitigation opportunities. Small energy systems like Slovenian are special by its universality and relative smallness, which on one side does not allow the same as to other, larger energy systems to achieve effects of economy of scale. The research work described in this paper presents a Slovenian experiences and lessons learned during the national energy and climate plan preparation. Due to the complexity of energy and climate planning, multi-disciplinary teams were established, involving energy and environmental experts, economists, grid operators and social science experts. Such cooperation was a necessary precondition for proper definition of measures for sustainable transition to low-carbon energy system. Continuous and systematic energy and climate planning at the national level has a potential to help decision makers to tackle energy and environmental challenges and close the gap between theory and practice. Additionally, this paper presents several proposed measures for energy efficiency improvements in industry, buildings and households along with necessary policy interventions for wider implementation of renewable energy sources.
COBISS.SI-ID: 33233959
The document provides a brief description of the models developed within the WP5 work package: Development of tools and models for a consistent assessment of the impact of reducing GHG emissions in Slovenian industry. The developed models were designed to enable the analysis of scenarios for reducing GHG emissions in industry by 2030 with a view up to 2050. They also allow the analysis of the effects of the EU ETS scheme, CO2 levies and other economic instruments on reducing GHG emissions, on achieving the environmental targets, competitiveness of the economy and other environmental, energy and macroeconomic objectives and effects. The developed models serve as a tool in support of environmental and energy policy planning to reduce GHG emissions.
COBISS.SI-ID: 33205031