EU's Energy Union will fail without cities and regions' help

(EurActiv, 24 Nov 2015) Unless it recognises and supports the role of cities and regions, the European Union’s Energy Union strategy is doomed to failure, campaigners have warned.

The Energy Union is the EU’s plan to fight climate change and bolster the bloc’s resilience against shortages. It was given political impetus by the Ukraine crisis, which highlighted the EU’s dependence on Russian gas.

It is also being driven by commitments to cut emissions, and boost renewables and energy efficiency, aimed at turning the bloc into a low carbon economy. But those targets will only be monitored and met, if the European Commission drafts legislation to create a governance framework.

Planned for next year, the framework should formally recognise the importance of cities and regions in reaching the goals, environmental think tank E3G said.

“A governance system that does not recognise or support local actors is unlikely to effectively achieve the Energy Union objectives,” a report by E3G said.

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EurActiv, 24 Nov 2015: EU's Energy Union will fail without cities and regions' help