Title: Climate change mitigation: evidences from the European scenario

Authors: Idiano D'Adamo; Michela Miliacca; Domenico Schettini

Addresses: Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics, University of L' Aquila, Giovanni Gronchi 18, Zona Industriale Pile, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy ' Department of Enterprise Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata, del Politecnico 1, 00133 Roma, Italy ' Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics, University of L' Aquila, Giovanni Gronchi 18, Zona Industriale Pile, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy

Abstract: The European Union (EU) member states fight climate change through the greenhouse gas emissions reduction (mitigation measures) and prepare for the unavoidable effects which have already been triggered (adaptation measures). By 2050, the EU aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80%-95% compared with 1990 levels. New objectives up to 2030 provide for a 40% reduction of GHG emissions and an increase of 27% for renewables and energy efficiency. The aim of this work is twofold. Firstly, we present the inventory data of the greenhouse gas emissions, final energy consumption, share of renewable energy, ISO 14001, EMAS and ISO 50001 certifications in 2015 for the EU-28 member states. Then, we identify the current level achieved by the EU and by individual countries compared to the 2020 targets. Secondly, we find a correspondence between the increasing number of certified companies and the good results relating to the mitigation measures. The regulatory obligations and the growing awareness about climate change led companies to voluntarily adopting systems of environmental management and/or energy management, because they generate a series of benefits such as the improving of image return, revenues and levels of competitiveness.

Keywords: climate change; greenhouse gas emission; energy consumption; environmental management; energy management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMNE.2018.095079

International Journal of Management and Network Economics, 2018 Vol.4 No.2, pp.95 - 114

Received: 09 May 2017
Accepted: 16 May 2017
Published online: 01 Oct 2018 *

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