Trajectories for Energy Transition in EU-28 Countries over the Period 2000-2019: a Multidimensional Approach
Résumé
Environmental issues have become a major concern for policymakers faced with the threat of global warming. The European
Climate Energy Package is an ambitious plan which drives the trajectories of European countries in three directions:
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the share of renewable energy and improving energy efficiency. This article
is original in that it considers the three targets together using multidimensional data analysis methods, a methodology which
makes it possible to propose temporal and spatial typologies for the energy transition of European countries over the period
2000–2019. Results show evidence of a gradual transition over three sub-periods towards a more environmentally conscious
economy. Four distinct types of energy transition profiles are identified, highlighting the contrasting performances of EU
Members in terms of energy transition. In particular, some economically more advanced countries, namely Germany, Ireland,
Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, are lagging in achieving their targets. Finally, discriminant analyses suggest
that economic performance, trade performance, innovation system and policy mix design have been particularly effective
in promoting energy transition over the period 2000–2019, while only innovation system helps to explain the contrasting
results observed at country level over that time.