Title: Renewable energies and sustainability: analysis of member states with feed-in tariff systems

Authors: María Teresa García-Álvarez; Isabel Novo-Corti; Diana Mihaela Pociovălişteanu

Addresses: GREFIN Research Group, Faculty of Economy and Business, Department of Economic Analysis and Business, University of Coruna, Campus Elvina, s/n, 15071 Coruna, Spain ' EDaSS Research Group, Faculty of Economy and Business, Department of Economic Analysis and Business, University of Coruna, Campus Elvina, s/n, 15071 Coruna, Spain ' Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, 'Constantin Brâncuşi' University of Targu-Jiu, Str. Eroilor, Nr. 30, Targu-Jiu, Gorj

Abstract: Sustainable development (SD) is a fundamental issue in the European Union. In this context, climate change and energy policy, which belong to environmental protection dimension, are key concepts. As energy produced from renewable energies (RES-E) does not involve the development of greenhouse gas emissions, they can contribute to limiting climate change and assuring energy supply security in member states. The objective of this work is to analyse the evolution of SD related to climate change and energy policy in EU. The use of feed-in tariff systems, as promotion policy of RES-E in member states, has entailed positive economic-social implications. Therefore, our analysis is centred on the case of those member states that have used such a policy. Results indicate that these member states have obtained important improvements on the indicators of SD related to climate change and energy policy.

Keywords: sustainability; sustainable development; renewable energy; climate change; EU energy policy; feed-in tariffs; European Union; energy security.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2015.076896

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2015 Vol.9 No.4, pp.376 - 389

Received: 16 Mar 2015
Accepted: 13 Oct 2015
Published online: 06 Jun 2016 *

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