More Europe
José Manuel Fernandes
Concerning the invasion of Ukraine: some brief observations.
António Rebelo de Sousa
Climate change: steady and gradual
José Manuel Fernandes
Portuguese MEP, Professor and Politician
Tackling climate change requires immediate and coordinated action on a global scale. This far-reaching action needs to be both gradual and realistic. The targets we have committed to, notably through the Paris agreement, must be met and we therefore need to prepare and engage citizens, institutions and business. The first condition for successful action is to speak the truth. Energy prices were already rising before the war started by Russia. In the EU, the ecological pact, the climate law and the respective goal of reducing carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050 bring price increases and challenges for which we must prepare. That is why I would insist on gradualism. There is no way we can all suddenly buy electric cars. And what about the price of electric cars? Are there charging stations for all the cars? Is there lithium for batteries? Are we against or for the extraction of lithium? And what will we do to the batteries at the end of their lifespan?
This transition presupposes the existence and availability of alternatives, for example for the replacement of raw materials. It calls for major investment in research and innovation, as well as the creation of funds to support more vulnerable citizens. There are jobs that are going to disappear, new ones that are going to appear, which requires moving towards increasing workers' skills.
In the EU, to support the most vulnerable families and small businesses through this transition, we propose the creation of a Social Fund for Climate Action, with funding from the European budget of €72 billion for 2025-2032. We have established common definitions across the EU for energy poverty and mobility poverty. Energy poverty refers to households unable to access essential energy services to allow them a decent standard of living. Mobility poverty refers to households that have high transport costs or limited access to affordable means of transport. It is not enough to say that no one can be left behind. We need tangible and effective action.
We must be aware that the worsening energy price increase due to the war cannot dampen ambition in the fight against climate change. Postponing it means exacerbating it and passing on a very hefty bill to future generations. But I stress that to succeed we must explain, speak the truth, involve and follow a path that is both resolute and gradual.
This transition presupposes the existence and availability of alternatives, for example for the replacement of raw materials. It calls for major investment in research and innovation, as well as the creation of funds to support more vulnerable citizens. There are jobs that are going to disappear, new ones that are going to appear, which requires moving towards increasing workers' skills.
In the EU, to support the most vulnerable families and small businesses through this transition, we propose the creation of a Social Fund for Climate Action, with funding from the European budget of €72 billion for 2025-2032. We have established common definitions across the EU for energy poverty and mobility poverty. Energy poverty refers to households unable to access essential energy services to allow them a decent standard of living. Mobility poverty refers to households that have high transport costs or limited access to affordable means of transport. It is not enough to say that no one can be left behind. We need tangible and effective action.
We must be aware that the worsening energy price increase due to the war cannot dampen ambition in the fight against climate change. Postponing it means exacerbating it and passing on a very hefty bill to future generations. But I stress that to succeed we must explain, speak the truth, involve and follow a path that is both resolute and gradual.
