On 10 February the CoR Green Deal Working group met to discuss Fit for 55 package, the EU proposed legislation to reach 55% emission reduction by 2030 in line with the adopted EU Climate Law.
The CoR rapporteurs on the related dossiers and a number of members of the European Parliament tackled the main issues of the package and highlighted the need for the EU to do more to protect citizens from all-time high energy prices.
EA members stressed that local renewable energy production is necessary to help the EU achieve net-zero emissions and it is also a way to reduce the dependency on third countries for the import of fossil fuels and their high and volatile prices
József Kóbor, city councillor of Pecs, Hungary, underlined the need for taxonomy to drive investments in the clean form of energy and warned against the production of renewable energy which is contrary to principle environmental protection. He also reiterated the aspiration of his city to be part of the EU mission for 100 European climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030. He also highlighted the importance of the new EU Social Climate Fund to compensate citizens for high energy prices in road and building sectors and that this is managed with local and regional authorities.
Andries Gryffroy, member of the Flemish Parliament and CoR rapporteur on the Renewable Energy Directive said that "in order to guarantee a sustainable, fair and affordable transition for citizens and business, new legislation should be simple and flexible enough to take into account the specificities of each region while safeguarding the principle of technologic neutrality".
