Energy and climate change all-important to new EU

(EurActiv, 28 Sep 2016) As the debate over priorities for EU reform post-Brexit ramps up, misguided attempts to avoid political tensions are undermining popular and necessary action on energy and climate change, writes Nick Mabey.

Nick Mabey is CEO of environmental organisation E3G (ranked in EurActory’s Top 40 and Top 3 for Decarbonising the Economy).

As Angela Merkel, Jean-Claude Juncker and François Hollande meet this week, they must tackle issues that make Europe relevant internationally and that reassure citizens – the fight against climate change is one.

The political debate on what the Brexit vote means for Europe has begun to consolidate and clarify. European leaders understand that the Brexit vote was not driven by UK exceptionalism but by issues of rising inequality, distrust of political elites and fears of immigration which exist across the EU.

The EU27 discussions must now move from analysis to solutions and not risk becoming side tracked into abstract discussions about whether this means “more” or “less” Europe. It is by addressing people’s insecurities that Europe can build the political space for continued cooperation and openness.

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EurActiv, 28 Sep 2016: Energy and climate change all-important to new EU