Finland was the first country to introduce CO2 tax for fuels in 1990. The tax directs industry to use more renewable energy sources. During the past year, whole Europe has woken up and all EU countries support the increase of renewable energy sources one way or another.

> Gross consumption of biomass and waste in EU - 25 countries in 2002 (pdf-file)

Each country has different basis from which they increase renewable energy sources. Traditionally, Finland and Sweden emphasize bioenergy, Germany and Denmark believe in wind power and Austria uses a lot of hydropower.

The EU has set some joint goals for the use of renewable energy. By 2010, the share of renewable energy should be 12% of all energy consumed. Now it is 6%. Separate country-specific goals have been set for electricity production. Finnish goal is to produce 31.5% of all electricity with renewable energy in 2010. The country-specific goals vary a lot. The renewable energy electricity production directive RES-E defines Hungary’s goal at 3.6%, whereas Sweden aims for 60% in 2010. The total goal of RES-E is to base 22.1% of all electricity production in renewable energy sources by 2010.

> Use on biofuels and biogas in Europe 1999-2001 (pdf-file)