UNIFHY

In the EU Member States and their regions, there are different paces on the way to achieve climate neutrality; some of them are setting more ambitious targets and dates to reach it, while others are lagging to meet the intermediate targets established. For those regions that are in a favourable position, it is important to continue advancing in the more complex aspects of the energy transition, such as the transition of the gas sector to the use of renewable and low-carbon gases.

Although the share of renewable energy is increasing rapidly at EU level, the carbon dioxide emissions worldwide are still increasing. This means that all countries must also increase their efforts to decarbonize the energy sector, and the main challenge is to reduce fossil fuels in the end-use sectors, particularly in industry and transport.

Additionally, there are other challenges that must be overcome to decarbonize the energy sector, such as security of energy supply, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic aspects. To ensure a secure and stable energy supply, it is not enough to deploy new renewable power (wind, solar) if it cannot be stored to be used when demanded.

The set of proposals included in the Fit for 55 package provides a coherent and balanced framework for reaching the EU’s climate objectives and it specifically includes shifting from gas to renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, and proposing a review of the EU gas market design. And in 2020, the European Commission proposed a hydrogen strategy for a climate-neutral Europe, aiming to accelerate the development of clean hydrogen as a cornerstone for a climate-neutral energy system.

UNIFHY will analyse policies and provide insights for policy-makers in 6 EU regions: Aalborg Municipality (DK) and the Southern Sweden region (SE) in the North; Moravian-Silesian Region (CZ) and Lubelskie Region (PL) in the East; the South East region of Ireland (IE) in the West; and Extremadura (ES) in the South.