Fossil Fuel Supply Oligopolization and Climate Change Risk -How Europe Responds Politically and Technologically

摘要

In Europe, fossil fuel depletion is not generally regarded as an issue for the foreseeable future. Of real concern is an "invisible Oligopolization" of suppliers: almost 80% of the world's oil resources are concentrated in the Middle East, about 45% of natural gas resources are in the CIS. The number of major oil fields in the world is expected to decrease from today's 15 to only 5. What is, on the other hand, clearly visible is an ongoing switch in demand from coal, to oil, to natural gas. A continuous decarbonization process, and consequently a hydrogenation and dema-terialization process, is under way. Energy becomes lighter and lighter. The overall energy demand in Europe remains fairly stable or is even decreasing slightly, although the economy is strong. What is beneficial for the environment and the climate is often regarded as cumbersome with respect to jobs. As Europe's response to the Kyoto Agreement of 1997 to cut Europe's greenhouse gas emissions 8% by 2008/12, dissimilar national percentages have in the meantime been agreed by the European Union's member states. Accordingly, Germany's contribution is 21%, Britain's 12,5%, while France's is 0%. Others are even allowed to raise their greenhouse gas production (Spain, Portugal,...).