End dependence on autocrats - make energy affordable - invest in solar, wind and hydro power
Energy prices/Accelerate EU
The European Commission today (Wednesday, 22 April) presented its communication “AccelerateEU – Energy Union” as an answer to tackle soaring energy prices caused by the US and Israeli war against Iran. The Greens/EFA welcome the initiative and calls on measures to protect citizens from skyrocketing fuel bills, by introducing, among other things, a windfall tax on oil and gas companies and a binding timetable for phasing out oil, gas and coal, in order to reduce dependence on unreliable fossil fuels and make energy affordable.
The Commission’s initiative comes ahead of the informal EU summit in Cyprus and the Greens/EFA Group’s political retreat in Zagreb, Croatia, on Thursday and Friday this week.
Terry Reintke MEP, President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, comments:
“The war against Iran makes dependence on oil and gas a security risk and a cost trap for millions of citizens in the EU who are struggling with skyrocketing energy bills, rising food prices, and stagnating real wages. This energy crisis shows that it is high time for the EU to move away from our costly dependence on oil and gas and put forward a genuine European anti-poverty strategy with binding targets and real funding.
“Sun, wind and water are our insurance against Putin, Trump and all those who use oil and gas as a strategic weapon. We welcome the fact that the European Commission is tackling spiralling energy prices and focusing particularly on those hardest hit by soaring costs, but it’s not enough.”
Bas Eickhout MEP, President of the Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament, comments:
“Doubling down on renewables is not just nice to have, it’s a necessity. Sun and wind power are our protection against price spikes and the whims of fossil autocrats.
"We need a ‘Trump tax’ to stop energy speculation and pass on windfall profits to those hardest hit by energy price rises. Millions of people are feeling the consequences of energy prices every day with the cost of living constantly rising. So a clear, binding timetable for phasing out oil, gas and coal is what we urgently need. It will reduce fossil fuel dependency and pave the way for massive investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency.”
Greens/EFA Group Retreat in Zagreb, Thursday/Friday (23–24 April):
At its closed-door meeting in Zagreb on Thursday and Friday (23–24 April), the Greens/EFA Group will engage with activists, non-governmental organisations and the Green mayors of Zagreb and Budapest, discussing, among other things, EU reform and responses to the cost-of-living and energy crises.
We are happy to arrange interviews in advance and on site.
