Skift joins business groups call to accelerate Europe's green transition to strengthen energy security
As the crisis in Ukraine worsens, Skift is joining leading sustainability business groups and urging the EU to ‘double down’ on delivering the energy transition laid out in the Green Deal as the best way to manage current and increasing risks from energy insecurity.
As the crisis in Ukraine worsens, Skift is joining leading sustainability business groups and urging the EU to ‘double down’ on delivering the energy transition laid out in the Green Deal as the best way to manage current and increasing risks from energy insecurity.
In an open letter, the business groups urge European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to view the Green Deal not only as the de facto growth strategy for the EU, but also at the heart of energy security.
The letter to President von der Leyen to call on the Commission to accelerate actions under the EU’s Green Deal, in the context of growing concerns over heightened energy insecurity due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The letter states: ‘For some time, people across the EU have been impacted with volatile fossil fuel prices that increase energy costs and add to inflation. Gas prices are five times higher than just a year ago and are set to remain high in the medium-term. We need to dramatically reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels by doubling down on the energy transition in the EU Green Deal.’
The letter comes just a week after the latest IPCC report indicated climate impacts are hitting harder and faster than predicted and the letter highlights that ‘by phasing out fossil fuels, we will not only increase energy security in Europe but limit catastrophic climate impacts on peoples’ lives, the natural world and the economy'. To accelerate actions under the European Green Deal and its flagship initiative of the Fit for 55 Package, the letter sets out four specific areas for Commission focus as it finalises delivery of its energy prices communication:
§ A rapid transition away from fossil fuels, investments in fossil fuels and fossil fuel subsidies
§ An acceleration of electrification across industry, transport, heat and buildings
§ A renewed focus on energy efficiency, the circular economy and the renovation wave
§ Support for EU citizens and the economy to cope with high energy prices and the energy transition
Ahead of the Informal European Council on 10 and 11 March, businesses shared a similar letter with President Macron.
