Abstract Western Europe is exceptionally dependent on imports for its energy supplies and accounts for about half the world's energy imports. Although the countries of the region have widely differing energy resources and a diversity of energy policies, they all share the fundamental policy objectives of reducing energy cost and, particularly, minimizing oil imports as well as diversifying sources. Although projections of future use are notoriously unreliable, there is a projected reliance upon imports in the year 2000 for over 50% of fossil fuel needs. Thus continued, firm programmes and policies are essential to meet this challenge.