development of CO2 emissions

Whilst Europe’s emissions of CO₂ will increase by almost 20% under the Reference Scenario, under the Energy Revolution Scenario they will decrease by 75% from 3,900 million tons in 2005 to 979 million tons in 2050. Annual per capita emissions will drop from 7.9 t to 2.0 t. In spite of the phasing out of nuclear energy and increasing demand, CO₂ emissions will decrease in the electricity sector.

In the long run efficiency gains and the increased use of renewable electricity and sustainable bio fuels in vehicles will even reduce CO₂ emissions in the transport sector. With a share of 11% of total CO₂ in 2050, the power sector will drop below transport as the largest source of emissions.