US EPA

7160919 

Journal Article 

Is European Union Environmental Policy Efficient at Promoting a Post-Carbon Industry? The Case of Energy in the European Ceramic Tile Sector 

Gabaldon-Estevan, D; Mezquita, A; Ferrer, S; Monfort, E; , 

2014 

WUHAN UNIV TECHNOLOGY PRESS 

WUHAN 

104-113 

WOS:000360951700016 

The context of global warming and low carbon transition plans are threatening the future of high energy consuming industrial sectors in the European Union (EU). The need to respond to environmental challenges is demonstrated by support for international level energy policies and legal requirements, such as the Kyoto Protocol which the EU supports, and increased EU level environmental legislation and energy policies. The effect of those initiatives is gradually transforming industrial activity in the EU. However, since not all the countries involved in industrial activity have adopted these policies, their net effect needs to be assessed taking account of their side-effects such as delocalization of industrial activity, and the different legal environmental frameworks in the countries where companies choose to relocate.This paper analyzes EU energy policy and its real impact on a particular energy intensive industry, the European ceramic tile sector. To summarize the main results of our research we find that: (1) The majority of European ceramic tile companies are using the BAT for energy efficiency; (2) increasing concern in the EU over CO2 emissions may become problematic for the sector in the short term but also might provide some opportunities; (3) recent EU environmental legislation is focused mainly on energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and air quality control; (4) the EU Emission Trading System (ETS) has promoted research, investment, and other activities directed to the reduction of CO2 emissions, such as the adoption of the BAT for efficient energy use, although in the short term the sector is exposed at competition from countries with no or few requirements related to greenhouse gas emissions. In the mid-term there is a hope that this process will enforce the use of BAT, and therefore, increase the competitiveness of companies at mid-term in a hypocarbonic economy context; the transition process is deemed critical since it may threaten the survival of these firms; (5) due to the ceramic tile industry being an energy-intensive industry, policies affecting energy costs are very relevant for the survival of the European industry; (6) a systemic perspective predicts that the implementation of breakthrough technologies, including use of renewable sources of energy, is undoubtedly linked to institutional support for research activities and availability of funding. A more comprehensive research financing scheme which includes research support for the so-called traditional sectors is needed to help the ceramic tile and other industrial sectors within the EU, to continue to lead the transition to a hypocarbon economy. 

Yang, L; Kantola, J; de Hoyas, A; Kaminishi, K; Duysters, G; 

978-7-5629-4724-0 

11th International Conference on Innovation and Management (ICIM 2014) 

Vaasa, FINLAND