Baku, 14 November 2024 – Chiara Martinelli, CAN Europe Director, participated today in a key Energy and Climate roundtable in Baku during COP29, where Energy Community Ministers and EU representatives gathered to discuss accelerating climate action and aligning national policies with EU energy and climate objectives. The meeting focused on setting ambitious 2030 targets and developing strategies for a climate-neutral Europe by 2050.
As a leading coalition of over 200 national NGOs dedicated to combating dangerous climate change, CAN Europe’s participation was crucial in ensuring that civil society perspectives were effectively integrated into the ongoing discussions. The roundtable provided an opportunity to review the progress made by Energy Community Contracting Parties, including their commitments to the Energy Community Decarbonisation Roadmap, National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), greenhouse gas inventories, and low-emission strategies. The meeting also centred on how these efforts align with the global targets set at COP28 and COP29, particularly the goals to triple renewable energy capacity and double global energy efficiency improvements.
Chiara Martinelli, CAN Europe Director, emphasised the need for urgent action and financial support for the Western Balkans: “While the EU must provide global leadership by stepping up action to phase out fossil fuels by 2040 and supporting developing countries to respond to the climate emergency, it needs to act specifically responsibly towards its close neighbouring countries aiming to become part of the Union,” said Martinelli. “The Western Balkan countries have committed to playing their part in achieving a carbon-neutral Europe, and the governments need to work harder to set up the enabling national framework, starting with the obligations deriving from their agreed 2030 climate and energy targets. However, as we heard during the national statements and today’s Energy Community roundtable, serious ambition can only become reality if the financial support by developed countries is provided. The Western Balkan countries must not stay at cross-roads; they need dedicated funding for the planned investments and a socially just energy transition.
CAN Europe’s participation highlighted the importance of civil society in advocating for a just and inclusive energy transition. The discussions underscored that immediate and bold actions are necessary to accelerate renewable energy deployment and improve energy efficiency in line with global climate goals, ensuring that no country is left behind.
