COP31: Europe must act faster on climate to cut bills and strengthen energy security
Renew Europe welcomes today’s adoption of the European Parliament’s COP31 resolution and calls on governments to stop delaying the action needed to tackle climate change and accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. Every year lost leaves households and businesses exposed to volatile energy prices and deepens the costs of climate damage.
Today’s UN Environment Programme report warns that current policies put the world on course for 2.8°C of warming. COP31 must deliver a credible response to that warning.
Ahead of the climate summit in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November, which will be attended by a delegation from Renew Europe, we urge the EU to lead with a clear message: accelerating investment in clean energy is essential to protecting citizens’ purchasing power, strengthening energy security and securing Europe’s competitiveness.
We call on the Commission to propose an ambitious EU electrification target, alongside ambitious targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency. This must be backed by faster investment in grids, storage and flexibility to bring clean electricity into transport, heating and industry.
Emma Ytterell MEP, Renew Europe’s shadow rapporteur on the resolution, said:
“Europeans are paying the price of fossil fuel dependence through their energy bills and our vulnerability to countries that use the supply of energy as a weapon. Investing in clean electricity, modern grids and energy efficiency means investing in our security and our citizens’ purchasing power.
An ambitious European electrification target would give businesses a clear direction and help drive investment in cleaner transport, heating and industry. At COP31, Europe must also push governments to deliver on their promises. We need practical action to phase out fossil fuels and support for the countries facing the worst effects of climate change.”
Emma YtterellRenew Europe MEP, Sweden, Centerpartiet
Renew Europe also pushed for the resolution to build on the first international conference on transitioning away from fossil fuels, held in Santa Marta earlier this year. This includes addressing investor-state dispute settlement provisions that allow companies to challenge climate policies and seek compensation for decisions to phase out fossil fuels.
Renew Europe calls for concrete progress at COP31 on reducing emissions, transitioning away from fossil fuels and providing climate finance for vulnerable countries. Europe must work with international partners to ensure that all major emitters contribute a fair share. Governments must leave Antalya with more than promises: they must show how they will accelerate delivery.