With global demand for energy continuously on the rise due to population growth, urbanisation and modernisation, questions of using energy more efficiently have become increasingly relevant.

 

As a result, the EU has pledged that by 2020 primary energy consumption will be reduced by 20%. Moreover, the European Commission has set out concrete measures in its “Energy Efficiency Plan 2011” for saving more energy in households, businesses and public authorities.

 

Young people are becoming increasingly aware of the effects of overly-excessive, unsustainable energy consumption and the need to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

 

Through initiatives, such as “Push Europe”, more and more young people are calling on the EU to increase its emission reduction targets.

 

Such a move could benefit the European economy substantially, as indicated by the Potsdam Institute which estimates that a shift to a low carbon economy could ultimately lead to the creation of 6 million jobs.