EU Energy Ministers meeting in Brussels today recognised “indigenous resources” – codename for nuclear, shale gas and coal – as one of the key drivers of European energy security. According to Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, it is high time for the Ministers to take their pick and clearly acknowledge that the EU’s energy dependency can only be tackled in a safe and sustainable manner through energy efficiency and renewables.
Today the Energy ministers’ Council held a policy debate on “Implementation of the Energy Security Strategy – Security of supply” and adopted conclusions on the “Implementation of the Energy Union: empowering consumers and attracting investments in the energy sector”.
Reacting to the conclusions of the meeting, Jean-François Fauconnier, Renewables policy coordinator at Climate Action Network Europe said:
“Treating hazardous and dirty nuclear, coal and shale gas as solutions to energy dependency is just papering over the cracks. The current energy security of supply concern, mainly due to the EU’s heavy dependence on natural gas from Russia, is first and foremost a heating issue. The EU leaders must clearly focus on reducing the demand for heating by investing in energy-efficiency – Europe’s first fuel. Billions of euros can also be saved by reducing imports of fuels thanks to increasing use of renewable energy”.
Contacts
Ania Drazkiewicz, CAN Europe Communications Coordinator, ania@caneurope.org, +32 494 525 738
Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is Europe’s largest coalition working on climate and energy issues. With over 120 member organisations in more than 30 European countries, CAN Europe works to prevent dangerous climate change and promote sustainable energy and environment policy in Europe. CAN Europe represents 44 million citizens who support the work of its members.
