In the framework of the new EU energy policy and the actions linked to it (see above), the European Commission has dedicated a specific Communication to research on the production of sustainable electrical energy from fossil fuels, so as to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide (Co2) generated by combustion. The main target of the Communication is coal, which together with gas represents half of European energy supplies and which according to the calculation of EU experts will double in importance by 2030. With regard to coal, Brussels is committed to funding research and development projects (a dozen in the near future) and providing incentives for the “development of cleaner technologies”, capable of reducing Co2 emissions (the final objective being the “production of electrical energy with emissions close to zero by 2020”), and “improving the capture and stockpiling of carbon dioxide”.
