EPP-CoR Rapporteurs today presented their proposals to ensure that European Green Deal measures take into account the different realities in cities and region such as energy poverty; to speed independence from Russian energy sources without weakening climate goals as well as to enhance the full potential of the forestry sector in climate change mitigation.
Towards a socially fair implementation of the Green Deal
Addressing the ENVE Commission, Csaba Borboly, CoR Rapporteur for the opinion on the social climate fund said "We are witnessing an extreme increase in the energy prices, which are also impacting transport and fossil fuel prices. This leaves a significant impact on vulnerable households, micro-enterprises and transport users, who spend a substantial part of their income on energy and transport and who, in certain regions, do not have access to alternative, affordable transport solutions. SMEs, small farmers and citizens experiencing such social difficulties should also be included as a target of the fund."
In his opinion Borboly, President of Harghita County Council, recommends that the fund should be governed via shared management, respecting the principles of partnership and multi-level governance. He stressed that meaningful engagement of LRAs in the design and implementation of the Social Climate Plans is crucial for the success of the Fund, because a significant part of the measures have to be implemented at local level and to ensure that territorial factors and differences are taken into account.
Rastislav Trnka, Chairman of Košice Self-Governing Region said that the European Green Deal needs to be adapted to current challenges and energy security challenges taking into account energy poverty of citizens. He remarked "There are regions in Europe where fire wood is used as a result of poverty not luxury." In this regard, Borboly's opinion refers to the Energy Tax Directive revision and recommends exemptions in the affected regions until the critical mass of support is accessible for households switching from firewood to RES and energy efficient non-fossil energy use.
Amending the Energy Efficiency Directive to meet the new 2030 climate targets
Presenting his opinion on the Energy Efficiency Directive Rafał Trzaskowski said "We are going through turbulent times. The context of the EU energy policy and our climate-related ambitions is changing swiftly, in front of our eyes. For some the need to speedily build our independence from Russian energy sources is an excuse to weaken our climate goals. I believe we should try even harder and reach them sooner than anticipated."
In his opinion, Trzaskowski who serves as the Mayor of Warsaw stresses that being at the forefront of the energy transition, local and regional authorities should receive direct financial support for implementing their green transition plans by the European Investment Bank or through new dedicated instruments.
Revision of LULUCF and Effort Sharing regulations
Åsa Ågren Wikström, Rapporteur of the CoR Opinion on Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestation (LULUCF) and the Effort Sharing regulations said "We need to see the full potential of the forestry sector in climate change mitigation and in the development of the local and regional bioeconomy. The carbon sequestration in the forest, product use and bioenergy from the forest can contribute to reducing climate impact as well as creating new jobs."
Wikström, who is member of Västerbotten County Council added "Climate change is a trans-boundary problem which cannot be solved by national or local action alone. All sectors of the economy need to contribute to emission reduction and at the same time balancing fairness and solidarity. The necessary transformation must be fact-based and engage LRAs."