Brussels, 27 July 2022 – Whereas Member States reached yesterday a political agreement on a voluntary reduction of natural gas demand by 15% this winter, and the European Commission has recently presented the REPowerEU Plan in response to the hardships and global energy market disruption caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the waste management sector is not (yet) at its full capacity of producing and saving energy.

The S&D Group in the European Parliament considers the Winter Preparedness Action Plan, presented today by the European Commission, as a timely and yet insufficient step towards solving a possible energy crisis, that might hit our continent long before the cold months, due to the current heat wave in Europe and the increased consumption of electricity for air-conditioning.

In light of the European Central Bank (ECB)’s interest rates hike expected tomorrow in order to fight record high inflation*, the S&Ds recall the need for a gradual and balanced approach. This is key to avoid mistakes of the past. The focus should always be on protecting the most vulnerable Europeans - those hit hardest by skyrocketing energy and food prices.

Biljana Borzan MEP, S&D vice-president for economic matters, said: