Clean energy has to go hand-in-hand with job creation

“Increasing the competitiveness and strengthening the weight of industry in the EU economy has to go hand-in-hand with our climate and energy objectives and should be further strengthened in the run-up to 2030,” said Krišjānis Kariņš MEP, the EPP Group's Spokesman in the European Parliament’s (EP) Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, in relation to the Commission statement on 'Clean Energy for All'.

“We also want to get the best deal for our consumers, which means that we need to remove barriers and market distortions in the electricity market to increase competition In Europe,” he added.

The technologies needed to enhance energy efficiency will provide for a lot of job creation and increases in the competitiveness of industry in the European Union - an aspect that is very important for the EPP Group.

“The Commission approach of putting energy efficiency first is the right one. Energy efficiency is the most cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the increased target of 30% increase in energy efficiency will help us to achieve our commitments under the Paris Climate agreement,” said Peter Liese MEP, EPP Group Spokesman in the EP’s Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.

He comments that it is better to spend the money on our innovative industry and SMEs than to send it to Putin or the oil sheikhs.

“And I welcome the balanced approach on Ecodesign. It is fully in line with the EPP Group priorities that the Commission doesn't regulate shower heads and toasters but that, on other devices, energy savings are possible without any loss of comfort for  consumers,” Peter Liese concluded.