In 2011, the European Commission launched three roadmaps to promote the discussion on the long-term framework of climate and energy policies in Europe: a) the 'Roadmap for Moving to a Competitive Low Carbon Economy in 2050 b) the 'Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area - Towards a Competitive and Resource Efficient Transport System and c) the 'Energy Roadmap 2050. The European Council reconfirmed in February 2011 that the objective of the European Union (EU) is to reduce Europe's greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by 80 to 95% below 1990 levels by 2050 as part of efforts by developed countries as a group to reduce their emissions by a similar degree. Although the EU is already committed to GHG emission reductions of at least 20 % below 1990 levels by 2020 as part of the Energy and Climate Package, longer-term policies are now required to ensure that the ambitious reduction target for 2050 is achieved. The European Commission has therefore published the communication entitled 'Roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050', providing guidance on how the EU can decarbonise its economy.