The EU must be more competitive - and it must be done in a way that does not slow down the green transition. This is how EU Commissioner for Energy and Housing, Dan Jørgensen, describes the work programme that the EU Commission presented on Wednesday.
The work programme was immediately criticized by SF and the Unity List for not prioritizing climate and environment sufficiently high in relation to defense and competitiveness. But Dan Jørgensen rejects that interpretation.
- I think that is a very misunderstood criticism. If you think that competitiveness and environmental and climate considerations do not go hand in hand, you are wrong. On the contrary, what we need to do for the climate is also something that will bring down prices for our industry and for ordinary people when they need to heat their houses, says Dan Jørgensen to Ritzau.
Many are disappointed with ambitions
However, the work program has disappointed the red-green part of the EU Parliament. SF's member of the EU Parliament, Kira Marie Peter-Hansen, highlights the 2040 target of 90 percent. reduction in greenhouse gases as the only clear climate initiative in the work programme.
- I think it is a shame that the Commission only has one sustainability initiative, and that the few environmental measures within the ocean, water and chemistry are presented with an industry focus, rather than also remembering how we can ensure a balanced planet, says Kira Marie Peter-Hansen.
However, she calls it "positive" that the EU Commission focuses on competitiveness. But the balance is too skewed, says Kira Marie Peter-Hansen:
- I may well be worried that the Commission forgets that we are in the middle of a climate crisis, and that cheap, green energy is also part of the foundation of European business, she says.
The Red Green Party's member of the EU Parliament, Per Clausen, also criticizes the programme.
- It is disappointing and disturbing, but unfortunately not that surprising. Because it is completely in line with the right-wing wave we have seen, says Per Clausen.
More renewable energy and energy efficiency should reduce energy prices
A majority of the EU Commissioners in Ursula von der Leyen's second EU Commission come from the bourgeois side. Primarily from von der Leyen's own political group in the EU Parliament, the EPP group.
Question: What do you say to the criticism that there is a lack of concrete proposals in the work programme that can drive climate policy forward?
- One of the things in the work programme, for which I am responsible, is that this month we will present a proposal for how we can significantly reduce energy prices in Europe. This will be done by expanding renewable energy. And by achieving more energy efficiency. That is, by doing exactly the things that are at the core of combating climate change, says Dan Jørgensen.
The Danish EU Commissioner believes that the work programme will ultimately strengthen the EU's position in the climate fight.
- When we fulfil the work programme, we will be in a better place with more jobs. Where we can compete better with the USA and China. And where we are clearly the region in the world that is at the forefront of the green area, says Dan Jørgensen.
/ritzau/
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