“A Green Deal for European People. Challenges and Scenarios for a Sustainable Recovery”. This is the title of the Brussels VideoTalk held on 20 May, organised by I-Com in partnership with Enel. The event was opened with a short speech by I-Com President Stefano da Empoli, followed by an introduction by the Vice-President and Head of Energy Area Franco d’Amore. The main speaker, Raffaele Mauro Petriccione, Director General DG CLIMA of the European Commission, then took the floor, with comments from Simone Mori, Head of Europe and Euro-Mediterranean Affairs, Enel Group. There followed an open debate moderated by Mattia Ceracchi, I-Com Head of EU Affairs, before Mr Petriccione’s closing remarks.
Does the need to fight the recession clash with the ecological transition goal? If not, how can the path of the European Green Deal foster a sustainable economic recovery? What can the European institutions do to support the parts of the energy value chain most affected by the present crisis? Will the current health emergency and economic recovery discussion between EU institutions and Member States affect the European Green Deal timeline?
The VideoTalk was an opportunity to discuss the Commission’s actions on the Green Deal, focusing on the initiatives already adopted in the last months, the challenges posed by the current emergency and the measures to be taken up in the future to further boost the ambitious transition to a climate neutral Europe by 2050. Experts agree on the fact that the current crisis can turn into an opportunity. As was highlighted during the VideoTalk, the framework set by the Green Deal provides a solid basis to rebuild a new economic model that can accompany the transition to a fair and inclusive climate neutrality.
During the VideoTalk, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the EU climate policies was also debated. While the threat posed by the pandemic will possibly require, in the short term, a change in EU and MS priorities, in the long term, the challenge will undoubtedly remain that of tackling climate change. Here, the Commission’s commitment seen in the Green Deal flagship initiative remains of primary importance in completing the climate transition and achieving the net-zero emissions goal.
