The European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies : round table on the energy mix in Europe

In order to promote a responsible, socially inclusive and ethically sound implementation of the European Union energy policy, on 19 December 2011 the President of the European Commission requested the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE) to 'contribute to the debate on a sustainable energy mix in Europe by studying the ethical impact of research on different energy sources on human wellbeing'. The EGE accepted this request and decided to focus on the ethical aspects of the use of different energy sources in Europe, as foreseen in the EGE remit. The group decided to address the following issues: identify the ethical criteria on the manner in which decisions concerning research on sources of energy are to be taken on an informed basis and the implications arising from the use of energy in different areas; contextualise the ethical issues arising from energy use within the EU energy agenda, the mix of energy, consequences for the future, energy policy and regulation (including environmental considerations), the precautionary principle, public perception and intergenerational justice; propose an ethical framework to be used on a case by- case basis in relation to the different uses or production methods of energy.