Trajectories for energy transition in the countries of the European Union over the period 2000-2015: a multidimensional approach

Transition towards low-carbon energy sources is a dominant paradigm of public energy policies today. This article conducts an inventory of energy transition in the European Union over the period 2000-2015. Multidimensional data analysis methods are employed in order to develop temporal and spatial typologies of the energy transition with respect to the three targets defined by the European Climate Energy Package. Results show evidence of a gradual transition over three sub-periods towards a more environmentally conscious economy: reducing greenhouse gas emissions, developing renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency. Four profiles of energy transition are proposed. The evolutionary analyses of the 28 EU countries over the sub-periods shows strong stability in country trajectories, with a few exceptions. The interpretation of the energy transition classes is then enriched by reference to wide range of variables related to five themes, namely energy systems; environmental characteristics; economic performance; political characteristics; and demographic, climatic and geographic characteristics. These themes contribute to the identification of barriers as well as levers in the energy transition. Finally, our results highlight the backwardness of the great Western European countries in achieving the goals assigned to them.