Posted on May, 11 2018

This morning European Commission Vice-President Maros Šefčovič gave a speech at the State of the Union conference on the theme of climate, the Energy Union, and solidarity.

Reacting to the speech, Imke Lübbeke, head of climate and energy at WWF European Policy Office commented:

“Vice-President Šefčovič is right that more energy efficiency is a no-brainer, not only in terms of emissions reduction but also energy poverty and security. He is also correct that a just transition away from dirty coal to renewables is essential. This is why EU Member States must support the European Parliament’s 2030 energy target levels of 35% for efficiency and for renewables, and preferably go a good deal higher.

"The Vice-President also refers to the urgency of climate action. Yet at last week’s Bonn climate talks the sticky issue of finance slowed progress down. The EU must ramp up its climate finance commitments, increase its targets for 2030, and set a long-term target compatible with the Paris Agreement goal to keep temperature increase below 1.5°C. This will give a strong signal ahead of COP24 that it is taking climate action seriously and with a spirit of real solidarity, both at home and abroad.”

More information:
Imke Lübbeke | WWF European Policy Office | iluebbeke@wwf.eu | +32 2 743 88 18
Sarah Azau | WWF European Policy Office | sazau@wwf.eu | +32 473 573 137