Energy, Employment and the Environment: Towards an Integrated Approach

Prior to the negotiation of the Kyoto Protocol, the European Union agreed that its aggregate emissions of CO2 should be reduced by 15% by 2010 compared with 1990 levels. This article argues that this objective demands a radical change in approach since the existing energy policies of the member states are predicted to lead to a 15% increase in CO2 emissions by 2010 rather than to a 15% reduction. They are also predicted to lead to an increase in imports of fossil fuels. With the existing and projected measures of energy supply and demand as a reference point, this paper proposes an alternative strategy that could generate more jobs while also reducing CO2 emissions and imports of fossil fuels. However, it is suggested that for demographic reasons the opportunity to implement such strategy may not last. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.