Changes

''Securing gas supply for good: given the controversy around Nord Stream 2 as well as Europe’s energy dependence on Russia, what stance should the EU take in order to ensure both a solidary and diversified supply of gas?''

In 2016, Europe imported 53.5% of its energy needs<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Energy_production_and_imports Eurostat: Energy Production Statistics 2016]</ref>. In the coming years Europe's energy dependency is expected to increase, also due to the decline of domestic gas production in Northwestern Europe<ref>[https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/20160712_Summary_Ref_scenario_MAIN_RESULTS%20%282%29-web.pdf European Commission: EU reference scenarios 2016]</ref>. Given that the reform of the EU’s [[Emission Trading System (ETS)]] will lead to a coal-to-gas switching in the electricity sector, natural gas will continue to play an important role in European energy demand. Today, EU countries face three options: cutting back on consumption, develop their shale gas resources or increasing imports. Renewable energies will show strong growth but, despite their centrality in switching to a green energy market, will still need to be complemented by gas<ref>[http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/analytics/?doc=124714 The Baltic Course analytics]</ref>. Therefore the EU is working to develop a new foreign policy which will further secure gas supply in the future.

==Background==