Accelerating decarbonisation and action to address the energy crisis, this was the focus today as representatives of PES member parties, MEPs, trade unionists and NGOs met in the Environment, Climate Change and Energy Network (ECEN) of the Party of European Socialists (PES).

Taking stock of the outcomes of COP27 on Climate Change and COP15 on Biodiversity, the meeting urged the upcoming COP28 and COP16 to keep-up the momentum and increase action on climate mitigation and adaptation, and advance green financing, raising the importance of a proportionate Loss and Damage Fund.

MEP and Chair of the Network Javi Lopez stated:

“As a political family, we are pushing for a coordinated message to ensure that Europe leads COP28 and secures that the Paris agreement is not watered down. We have no time to lose, and we need to step up our efforts to keep temperatures from rising and to fulfil our financial commitments towards those in need. In parallel we have to keep the bar high when protecting and restoring our planet, COP16 on Biodiversity will have to keep up the momentum and see through the reinforcement and implementation of the historic COP15 deal.”

The meeting exchanged on the conclusions of the February European Council and the European Commission’s Communication on a Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net Zero Age. Socialists are pushing to speed up industrial decarbonisation and investment in green technologies through the swift implementation of the EU’s Green Deal Strategy.

Javi Lopez continued:

“To be able to manage in the current geopolitical environment we need to ensure that we strengthen our green industrial fabric but this should not be done at the expense of social inclusion and territorial cohesion. Europe needs an ambitious Green Industrial Strategy, for us this is about making Europe more resilient whilst strengthening the social model. Global pressure is intensifying, Europe needs to strengthen its green competitive advantages and focus on high social standards in the Green Deal Industry.”

The PES Presidency has adopted a declaration on ‘supporting green deal industries for quality European jobs.’

The meeting also addressed the current energy crisis. Participants took stock of the emergency measures taken by the EU to keep energy prices low and ensure the flow of energy supply. The need for structural reform of the EU’s electricity market, a long-term strategy and infrastructure to strengthen energy security, and the prioritisation of the most vulnerable were key conclusions from the discussion.

Javi Lopez added:

“It is clear that energy affordability and energy security is on everyone’s minds. We need reform of the EU’s electricity market, we need to invest in renewables, and we need to build a robust energy grid. Throughout these processes, we must ensure that we leave no one behind. Energy is a public good and a matter of strategic importance. We need a long-term strategy to respond to the energy crisis and we need it now. And that means undertaking reforms of the Energy market to ensure that the market does not artificially inflate prices beyond our control.”