The switch to renewable energies such as wind and solar energy in Europe not only benefits the fight against the climate crisis, but also the environment. According to the European Environment Agency EEA, the increasing use of renewable energy sources has between 2005 and 2018 also shown positive effects on air and water pollution. This was announced by the EU authorities in Copenhagen on Monday.

Several advantages through renewables According to the EEA, the increased use of photovoltaics, wind and biomass in electricity production in the EU has between 2005 and 2018 led to a significant reduction in greenhouse gases that are harmful to the climate. So that’s not the only advantage of switching from fossil to renewable energy sources: The growth in renewable energies since 2005 has also had an impact on the environment in several ways burdensome pressure reduced, for example with regard to the formation of fine dust or eutrophication (excessive nutrient enrichment) and acidification of waters.

The EU-wide share of renewable energies in the overall electricity mix was 2019 according to EEA information less than half a percentage point below the binding target of 20 percent per year 2020. According to this, coal no longer provides most of the electricity in the European Union. Nevertheless, more electricity is still being produced with the help of fossil fuels than with renewable sources. The energy sector is responsible for almost a quarter of all EU greenhouse gases and remains an important source of acidification, eutrophication and the formation of ground-level ozone.

Share of renewables would have to rise sharply The EU must free its electricity sector from oil, gas and coal faster if it wants to achieve its climate targets, wrote the EEA. Should the EU countries fully implement their climate and energy plans for 2030, the current EU targets for the year for climate and renewables could be exceeded. In order to achieve climate neutrality 2050, however, the renewable energy would have to be much more limited to a share of over 80 percent to be expanded.

(tiw)