Reduce CO2, promote new energies and increase efficiency: the European Union is backing the 20% solution.
The ‘20-20-20’ objective is binding for all EU states: 20% less CO2, 20% more renewable energies, 20% more energy efficiency by 2020. This is to prevent the earth from warming by over 2°C in this century. A tight schedule, but not an unrealistic one. Brussels has known it for a long time: climate policy is energy policy.
In order to reduce CO2 emissions, more environmentally friendly cars are to be produced and more biofuels are to be added to the mix. Wind power and solar systems are built to spread renewable energies. And finally, with new regulations for household devices, energy efficiency will rise by 20%.
And what does 20-20-20 cost? Less than 0.5% of the GDP of the EU, experts say. If their forecasts are right, we will save up to 100 billion euros. Furthermore, 20-20-20 stimulates socio-political improvements; energy generation becomes more consumer-friendly; and the supply, through the use of indigenous energy sources, more secure.
The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research instructs: everyone must contribute to climate protection. Setting thresholds for CO2 emission per head is an important tool for accomplishing this. Every citizen could boost the 20-20-20 obligation.
Fireplace/stove owners are climate protectors. Renewable fuel has a practically unlimited supply and heats completely CO2 neutral. During the lifetime of a tree, it takes CO2 from the environment, which was stored in the wood. When burnt in the stove, CO2 is re-released in exactly the same quantity. In this way, just as much CO2 ends up in the environment as when the tree rots naturally. A natural emission exchange is created.
The forestry industry in Germany ensures that this exchange remains in an equal balance and following each timber harvest replants the corresponding number of trees. So is environmentally-friendly heating also efficient heating? With SCHOTT ROBAX® yes. Because these glass-ceramic panels not only provide a wonderful view of the fire, but also increase the efficiency level compared to open fireplaces several times over. This is shown by a series of laboratory comparison tests. The windows withstand a thermal load of 560° and allow even higher temperatures in the combustion chamber. The result: better combustion, which means less particulate matter, maximum security and lots of atmosphere.
You profit from further advantages with specially coated glass ceramic: you gain additional, storage-capable energy and thanks to the higher temperatures ensure an even less polluting combustion, which also ensures a lower polluting effect of the window. The most innovative product for accomplishing all of this is called ROBAX® Energy Plus. It reflects up to 35% of the heat radiation back into the combustion chamber. This not only saves fuel but conserves the environment.
