Analysing European economic competitiveness through the prism of economic innovation

Renewable energy sources serve as an alternative to conventional energy sources, with the main advantages being their inexhaustible nature and the absence of or significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, the development of energy production utilising renewable sources remains controversial, primarily because of the high initial costs of RES investment projects and the carbon footprint during the production phase of RES facilities. However, these appear to be gradually offset by the many benefits that outweigh the initial RES facility maintenance costs. Unsurprisingly, European Union (EU) countries are at the forefront of the transition to a low-emission economy. This is evidenced by such things as the 22% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in the Member States, achieved despite a 58% increase in gross domestic product (GDP) between 1990 and 2017. Nonetheless, the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, water, etc., is much more expensive than burning fossil fuels. It must be stressed that the European Union’s success in this regard is influenced by the actions taken by all Member States to implement the European Green Deal and their individual targets. Furthermore, the transition to a zero-emission economy is also the result of the informed participation and involvement of all European Community residents. Therefore, there exists a need for education on renewable energy sources to facilitate the transition to a zero-emission economy in European Union countries. This education should primarily target young people, whose critical choices will shape this area in the future. It is the knowledge and awareness of young people that will largely determine whether it will be possible to limit greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This article aimed to determine how Polish and foreign students view the transition to a zero-emission economy. The article places a special emphasis on renewable energy sources as a key factor in shaping national security in terms of sustainable ecology and friendly social development. The aim of the study was achieved through a research process using theoretical and empirical research methods. To that end, the subject literature and current legislation on renewable energy sources were analysed. Moreover, a survey was conducted among Polish and foreign students living in Poland. The analysis of the research results made it possible to formulate recommendations on how to shape national security in terms of sustainable ecology and friendly social development.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perception of the Transition to a Zero-Emission Economy in the Opinion of Polish and Foreign Students: A Comparative Analysis

Kaczmarczyk,

Lis

2023

“…The preferences survey helped to fill the knowledge gap on the stimulus action model for future implementation of a zero-emission economy combined with environmental protection and climate change mitigation [29]. In the literature, there are many interdependent issues defining the relationship between climate change, environmental protection, economic development and the projection of changes in these areas resulting from European Union policies [30].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perception of the Transition to a Zero-Emission Economy in the Opinion of Polish Students

Kaczmarczyk¹,

Urych²

2022

Renewable energy sources are an alternative to traditional sources and are based on inexhaustible and environmentally friendly supply. Various controversies have been stirred up by the development of energy production from renewable sources, e.g., due to the high cost of these investments or carbon footprint at the production stage of renewable installations, or later in the disposal process. However, they seem to be gradually offset by the numerous benefits that outweigh the initial costs of their support. Therefore, it is not surprising that European Union (EU) countries are at the forefront of the transition to a low-emission economy. This is evidenced, e.g., by a 22% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in Member States, with gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 58% between 1990 and 2017. Nevertheless, the use of renewable energy sources such as sun, wind, water, etc. is much more expensive than burning fossil fuels. This argument of high investment costs can be decisive in decisions of both public debates and individual households. Therefore, education on renewable energy sources is needed to facilitate the process of transition to a zero-emission economy in the European Union countries. This education should, above all, be addressed to young people, who will be making these decisions in the future. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 will largely depend on the knowledge and awareness of young people. The aim of the paper is to diagnose the perception of the transition to a zero-carbon economy in the opinion of Polish schoolchildren. We put a particular emphasis on renewable energy sources as a key element shaping the security of the state in terms of sustainable ecology and friendly social development. We achieved the aim of the study through a research process with use of theoretical and empirical research methods. We analysed the literature on the subject and the current legal acts in the field of renewable energy sources. We also conducted a survey of high school students in Poland. The analysis of the research results allowed us to formulate recommendations on the possibility of shaping state security in the field of sustainable ecology and friendly social development.

“…The research formula was defined by the relationship between energy consumption, carbon reduction, and the desired form of environmental protection linked to economic development [17]. The study of preferences allowed filling the gap in the knowledge about the model of actions stimulating the implementation of economic competitiveness, innovations combined with environmental protection, and counteracting climate change [18]. The interpretation of knowledge in the literature compiles many interdependent issues determining the relationship between climate change, environmental protection, economic development, and the projection of changes in these areas resulting from the European Union's actions [19].…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward Low-Carbon European Union Society: Young Poles’ Perception of Climate Neutrality

Gryz¹,

Kaczmarczyk²

2021

(1) Introduction: The European Union is a global leader in the transition to a low-carbon economy. The community’s population has already reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 22%, while the gross domestic product (GDP) in its member states increased by 58% between 1990 and 2017. The Union has shown that economic growth is possible in the link between politics, nature, and the citizens’ eco-empathy. It has implications for both the European and global economy, infrastructure, food production, public health, and biodiversity, the formula for political stability. The hallmark of the European Union is the blending of politics, culture, and nature in its quest for climate neutrality. The community’s horizon is a zero-emission economy by 2050. (2) Theoretical framework: The cognitive assumptions of the article are the following theses: 1. The Union strives to accelerate the transition process to a regenerative growth model using technologies for obtaining and distributing energy for individual and collective needs; 2. The Union and the European citizens want to hand over more to planet Earth than they take away from it, thus making progress toward keeping resource consumption within planetary limits. 3. The Union aims to reduce its consumption footprint and double the rate of applying closed-loop materials in the next decade. Finally, it fits in with the organization’s policy projections. (3) Methodology and research results: Qualitative and quantitative research methods were used in the research process. The literature has been analyzed on the subject and the applicable legal acts, making it possible to classify, generalize, describe, and systematize the facts collected during the research. A survey was conducted on 1106 students, and in-depth interviews were conducted with three energy experts: Krzysztof Tomaszewski (the University of Warsaw, researcher and lecturer on energy security issues), Dariusz Pachniewski (inventor in energy sector, businessman in hydrogen energy sector), and Tomoho Umeda (President of Polish Chamber of Commerce). The research aimed to identify the environmental and energy awareness, knowledge of renewable energy sources, and opinions of young Poles on their use in two areas: home and work. (4) Discussion: The reinforced narrative of creating a low-carbon society, a green economy, was adapted and evaluated for innovative individual and collective approaches in the research conducted in this paper. In the quantitative and qualitative samples, the assumptions made were double-checked. The former verified the students’ views, while the latter, the experts’ views. The procedure established the directions of knowledge evolution and approach to technologies and innovations among students of technical faculties related to the energy sector. There were existing individual and collective mental constructs on energy transition and climate neutrality identified. (5) Conclusions: The surveys conducted among university students of energy-related majors and specialties and experts revealed important information. First, it concerned the way knowledge is communicated and how it is interpreted; second, informing and implementing the European Union’s climate policy; third, the creation of a low-carbon society; fourth, the perception of climate neutrality among young Poles, and finally, preferences in energy generation and use in homes and businesses.