The Renew Europe group in the European Parliament has outlined a bold plan for European action to tackle the rising cost of energy triggered by Vladimir Putin’s despicable invasion of Ukraine and his weaponisation of global energy supplies. In this plan, Renew Europe calls for urgent measures to protect businesses and consumers, creating a European ‘energy shield’ to tackle energy poverty and safeguard the European economy.

With this plan, Renew Europe urges the European Council and European Commission to double down on the transition to renewable energy, to create new jobs and help to tackle the climate emergency that became so visible to millions of Europeans this summer. Advancing Europe’s strategic autonomy, ensuring food security and increasing the independence of supply chains, is also key priority for Renew Europe.

In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Renew Europe President Stéphane Séjourné issued a call for decisive and coordinated action, including:

• An emergency mechanism to redirect windfall energy profits to consumers and businesses;
• A price cap on gas imports from Russia;
• Solidarity guarantees for this winter, especially for households, the most vulnerable and those at risk of poverty;
• EU-wide information campaigns to reduce demand and improve energy efficiency;
• Massive investment in the green transition;
• Strategic autonomy, by reducing all dependencies that could otherwise be turned into geopolitical weapons against the EU;
• A more comprehensive framework to strengthen the raw materials value chain;
• A specific action plan on food security, with the aim to increase the resilience and sustainability of the food supply;
• Specific and legally binding European legislation on adaptation to climate change.

Renew Europe called for decisive steps to be agreed at last Friday’s meeting of Energy ministers, in full respect of the European Parliament’s role, for both immediate and longer-term actions.

Moreover, Séjourné commented:

“Renew Europe is acutely aware of the anxiety that millions of Europeans face due to rising prices fuelled by Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and a summer that showed the true consequences of the climate emergency. We want an energy shield at the European level to protect business and consumers, who cannot be left to pick up the bill for geopolitical events beyond their control.”

“Only a common European approach will deliver strategic autonomy, ensure solidarity and deliver the green transition we need to transform our economies. No option should be off the table. We must show that we are stronger together as Europeans by tackling energy prices, climate change and the cost-of-living crisis.”