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Being the world’s highest energy source importer - 53% of its energy production for a cost of €400 billion -<ref>[https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/53f2ea1d-8cf6-11e5-b8b7-01aa75ed71a1], ''Ten priorities for Europe'', European Commission, https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/53f2ea1d-8cf6-11e5-b8b7-01aa75ed71a1.</ref>, the European Commission has highlighted in its Ten priorities for Europe booklet published in 2015 the dependence of the Union on the fossil fuels which represent 88% of the generation of energy and heat in 2013. This booklet also highlights the little use of the renewable energies which, even if they increase, represent only 12% in 2013.
The use of the fossil fuels is not without consequences. Indeed, their use is responsible for the emissions of some air pollutants causing air pollution, climate change and the connected health problems. As the commission highlights, “Around 90 % of city dwellers in Europe are exposed to pollutants at concentrations higher than the air quality levels deemed harmful to health” . These air pollutants are known and defined and are among the:
[[Air pollutants.png|thumb| What are the main air pollutant - and where do they come from?<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/environment/pubs/pdf/factsheets/air/en.pdf], ''Cleaner air for all'', European Commission.</ref>]]
* Particulate matter (PM)
* Sulphure Dioxyde (SO2)
