Energy and Climate
State of play
Climate change is no longer a theory, it is a reality. It is no longer about "future generations" but it affects our current environment. Cruel paradox: the effects of global warming are threatening in priority the least polluting countries. Dramatic droughts and catastrophic floods follow one after the other, along with annual climate conferences. Greenhouse gas emissions have increased by two thirds since the Rio Conference in 1992.
Transition to a green economy represents the third industrial revolution, allowing the creation of millions of jobs in Europe and worldwide. Europe must therefore lead the way in imposing concrete measures.
- An ambitious renewable energy policy:
A return to fossil fuels is unthinkable, we must therefore focus our research and development policies on effective renewable energy production, while continuing research to properly exploit existing or future deposits.
- A strategy for self-sufficiency and energy security:
We propose a European energy community based on the following points: diversification of a common European energy mix and of supply sources, a mutual assistance mechanism in case of energy shortage.
- Put a price on carbon:
Companies should be encouraged to turn to other sources of energy but they can do so without having the certainty that all stakeholders share the effort. Putting a greenhouse gas emission is the strongest signal that companies expect in order to change to renewable energy sources.
- Establish a tax on financial transactions:
An innovative, sustainable and non-discriminating source of financing, it can enable the creation of a global investment fund for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Every day the EDP defends its ideas through various actions and asserts its positions. For example:
- In the European Parliament:
Ulrike Müller, EDP vice-president, and Catherine Chabaud defend our ideas in the Committee on Environment.
- In our Manifesto:
We have been defending these proposals for several years. They were already at the heart of our programme during the European Parliament's 2009 and 2014 election campaigns.