The use of fossil fuels across the European Union continues to decline due in part to increased consumption of renewable energy sources like wind, solar and biomass, according to a report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The report, which assesses progress on the use of renewable energy, found that clean energy technologies, where chemistry plays a major role, are an important driving force in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and in creating employment in Europe. Among other points, the report states that public funding in research and development of new renewable energy sources has increased between 2005 and 2013 but at a slower pace than before, posing a risk of missing the break-through technologies of tomorrow. The International Energy Agency has recommended the tripling of current public research and development spending on clean-energy innovation.
Source: http://www.eea.europa.eu/