Today they represent about 2.1% of its Gross Domestic Product and account for 3.5 million jobs.

Frost and Sullivan Green Energy experts are analysing all the key segments of this market, both in Europe and globally. There is no doubt that this area is expanding at an extraordinary rate and - based on their research - Frost and Sullivan analysts forecast that revenues are set to double, triple or increase even more over the next few years.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is surely one of the fastest-growing areas in the chemical industry and in the Green Energy sector. Last year in Europe we consumed 3.89 million tonnes of biodiesel, generating revenues of EUR2.93 billion. By 2013 the total EU biodiesel market is forecast to be 9.75 million tonnes in terms of unit shipments while revenues are forecast to be EUR7.46 billion, based on current biodiesel market prices. The average growth over the forecast period will be 14 percent.

Renewable Energy

New analysis from Frost and Sullivan European Renewable Energy Market - Investment Analysis and Growth Opportunities reveals that this market earned EUR8.89 billion in 2005 and estimates this to reach EUR14.54 billion in 2010. Even in China, the Government feels there is an urgent need to take action and is stepping up efforts to accelerate the development of clean energy. Frost and Sullivan research analysts reveal that the Chinese Renewable Energy Markets earned revenues of $6.9 billion in 2006, and that these are likely to reach $17.9 billion by 2013. Amongst the market segments, solar PV will be one of the fastest growing renewable energy sources in China until 2013, with its growth exceeding even that of wind power. The biomass power industry has great revenue potential, not only because of sufficient Government funding but also due to the adequate availability of feedstock fuels.

Green Buildings

Buildings are responsible for 40% of Europe's total carbon-dioxide emissions. Climate Change is the EU's top priority according to the European Commission and Member States are committed to cutting down on CO2 emissions to meet the Kyoto Protocol targets. Despite all their efforts, Member States keep on wasting a significant proportion of their energy due to inefficiency. Therefore, if the EU is to achieve its targets, reducing energy use in all buildings is essential. According to Frost and Sullivan, if more stringent standards are applied to new buildings and renovations, the EU will achieve a significant cut in greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, any efforts will be in vain if they are not accompanied by a change in consumer behaviour.

Hybrid vehicles

Reducing emissions below 140 g/km of CO2 will be possible mainly with the help of alternative fuels and hybrids (micro, mild and full). While original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are aware of this fact, further development or market acceptance of these alternative fuels and hybrids is restrained by the distribution network, availability and high implementation costs. According to Frost and Sullivan analysis of the Alternative Fuels and Hybrid Technologies, while advancements in engine technology have helped reduce emissions to an average of 160 g/km, hybrids, ethanol, biofuels, compressed natural gas (CNG), hydrogen and fuel cells are necessary to reduce them further. The main priority of OEMs today is to reduce emissions, which will require the help of local governments and fuel suppliers to promote alternative fuels and hybrids in a cost-effective manner.

Waste Management and Recycling

An estimated 1.3 billion tonnes of waste is generated annually in the EU and this still continues to rise. The overall volume of waste is growing at rates proportional to the economic growth rate of the EU25.

Amongst the various streams of waste generated, management of hazardous and municipal waste alone costs the EU an estimated EUR75 billion annually. This translates to the waste management and recycling industry earning huge revenues that are expected to increase enormously over the next few years. Frost and Sullivan finds that the European Waste Management and Recycling market earns total annual revenues of EUR100 billion.

As we have seen, the market is growing and investments are accelerating dramatically. To face this new challenge Frost and Sullivan is combining its expertise across four Business Units - Energy, Environment, Chemicals and Automotive - to offer the broadest and fullest coverage of the Green Energy Sector.

"It is clear that this is a period of truly booming growth in the Green Energy sector and this is an issue that is here to stay," says John Raspin, Frost and Sullivan Energy and Environment Practice Director.

"We are seeing double-digit growth in many segments of the market and companies of all shapes and sizes are positioning themselves to exploit the growth opportunities. Frost and Sullivan is uniquely positioned to have analyst teams working across the entire breadth of the Green Energy sector and we are extremely excited to be launching this new offering that pulls all of that expertise together into a single strategic platform."

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