"We need a fair green pact, and the draft opinion I am presenting seeks to address two issues: the European Social Fund and the reorganization of the energy carrier tax system to protect vulnerable citizens, to prevent the loss of investors and jobs. Fiscal facilities should be balanced and related to consumption and areas where there is energy poverty." Csaba Borboly, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) rapporteur on 'Towards a socially fair implementation of the Green Deal' made these remarks during an #EPPLocalDialogue.
Borboly, who is President of Harghita County Council added "The draft opinion aims to find solutions to ensure a fair transition in relation to environmental objectives that have a specific dimension. Regarding the unitary taxation of energy carriers, we can see that it is increasingly becoming an actual issue and here we have to make proposals because the majority of the price paid by the population consists of taxes and fees." He remarked that the challenge is to balance energy taxes so that the burden does not fall on vulnerable groups and so that the quality of life is not affected.
Barna Tánczos, Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests stressed that the National Plans must take into account the regional differences and the European Social Fund must be combined with other funds for energy-efficient investments to reduce the map of energy poverty. "We do not want households and small companies to support the consequences of the high rise of energy prices and I support the launch of a separate EU programme to compensate such challenges. This would be an essential support for Romania for the following years.”
Sándor Bende, Member of Parliament, Chair of the Committee on Industries and Services said that investments must be related to the characteristics of the region and a specific action plan is needed to bring resources to those in need. In this regard he said "It is important to take in consideration the climate and weather conditions of certain regions, so that the support programme to be more related to the local conditions and the necessities from energy and heating prices’ point of view. Therefore, a certain percentage should be used in the calculation of support instruments.”
Dr. László Csák, expert appointed to support the drafting of the opinion said that policy success can be achieved if the resources of EU member states, of regions and of the population can be used in synergy. "Energy poverty can be avoided and it is a current necessity in several, less developed areas. This may be avoided by launching a proper, problem oriented EU programme to support households and micro-companies in such challenges. The CoR opinion focuses on such solutions and we request the European Commission to take into account as a separate investment financial instrument.”
Participants also spoke about the social effects of rising energy and electricity prices on vulnerable communities and what role can local and regional authorities play in implementing local policies.
The opinion on 'Towards a socially fair implementation of the Green Deal' will be debated in the CoR in March this year. More information on the report can be read here.