3.1 Overview of Carbon Emission and Development of Renewable Energy in the EU

3.1.1 Status Quo of Carbon Emissions

In March 2007，EU Commission committed that by 2020，the emission of greenhouse gas should be reduced by at least 20% compared with that in 1990（Figure 3-1）. In 2007，the emission of greenhouse gas in 27 EU countries（excluding land use，land use change and the forestry）was reduced by 9.3% compared with that in 1990（equivalent to 519 million tons of carbon dioxide emission）^[1]. From 2006 to 2007，the emission was reduced by 1.2%（equivalent to 59 million tons of carbon dioxide）（Figure 3-2）.

Figure 3-1 Greenhouse Gas Emission in 15 EU Countries and 27 EU Countries during 1990-2007

Figure 3-2 Greenhouse Gas Emission Changes in 27 EU Countries during 1990-2007

In 2007，the total emission of greenhouse gas in 15 EU countries（excluding land use）was 4.3% lower than that in 1990（equivalent to 1.81 million tons of carbon dioxide）. In 2007，the carbon emission was reduced by 1.6% compared with that in 2006（equivalent to 0.64 million tons of carbon dioxide）.

In terms of CO₂ emission structure，power and heating sector in 27 EU countries is the largest emission sector. The sectoral structure for CO₂ emission in 27 EU countries in 2006 is as shown in Figure 3-3.

Figure 3-3 Sectoral Distribution of C0₂ Emission in 27 EU Countries in 2006

According to Kyoto Protocol，EU agrees to reduce the greenhouse gas emission by 8% from 2008 to 2012 compared with that in the benchmark year. This can be realized by combination of current programs and domestic policies and measures，and carbon sink and Kyoto mechanism will be adopted. The emission（domestic）in 2007 was 5.0% lower than that in the benchmark year ^[2] or equivalent to