Energy Union failing to address energy security and climate change

Following this morning's statement by the European Commission on the State of the Energy Union, GUE/NGL MEPs called for a more sustainable approach to energy policy.

Cypriot MEP, Neoklis Sylikiotis, commented: “Unfortunately the European Commission's report on the energy union shows what we suspected: the failure to connect energy networks and address CO2 emissions. It also shows that the attempt to reduce the Union's energy dependency doesn't seem to be working. We need to take appropriate measures to energy poverty to help the people who suffer from that, immediately.”

German MEP, Cornelia Ernst, explained: “The European Commission is bowing down to national interests. If it wasn't, we would be doing something about the continued use of coal and fracking. We need an energy union which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using renewables instead of fossil fuels in order to stop climate change. The Commission's narrow-minded approach is very far from that at the moment.”

Spanish MEP, Paloma López Bermejo, also added: “I share the Commission's concern for achieving the 20 per cent renewable energy target by 2020. However, in Spain for example, this is very difficult when we have a government that introduces retroactive cuts in financing renewables and taxes on solar energy; it works in the interests of the big energy company oligopolies. This is being ignored by the Commission. Metaphorically speaking, the Commission sees the surface of the water, but not the pirahnas below. We must create a different energy model based on energy savings and local generation from renewables, as well as better carbon technology.”

GUE/NGL Press Contact:

Nikki Sullings +32 22 83 27 60 / +32 483 03 55 75

Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20