UN Climate chief: Iran war a'simple lesson' in fossil fuel dependency
The U.N. Climate Secretary will inform EU policymakers that the disruption of energy markets caused by the Iran War is an "abject" lesson in the dangers?of?relying?on fossil fuels.
The European Union, despite being geographically distant from the Middle East crisis, has been affected by it through the soaring global energy prices. The European gas price has risen by 50% in the past two weeks. "Fossil?dependency is ripping national security and sovereignty away, and replacing them with subservience, rising costs, and Simon?Stiell will tell EU officials at a?Brussels event.
Stiell, in prepared remarks, will state that "Europe is more dependent on fossil fuel imports" than any other "major economy". He warned that reliance on fossils leaves consumers "at mercy of geopolitical events and price volatility".
More than 90% of the EU's oil and 80% its gas are imported. EU leaders have rushed to draft emergency measures in order to protect consumers from energy price spikes and to avoid a repeat of the 2022 European energy crisis when Russia cut gas deliveries and prices reached record highs.
The European Commission claims that, in the long term, its climate change strategy, which involves replacing fossil fuels by locally produced renewable and nuclear energy, will ensure the energy security of countries and free them from volatile fuel prices.
Italy and Hungary, among others, are calling on Brussels to "weaken" its climate policies to reduce short-term costs for industries.
Stiell warns that this would be "completely naive" and will argue that the switch to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power is cheaper, creates jobs in clean-technology industries and ensures supplies.
Stiell said that a "meek dependency?on fossil-fuel imports" would leave Europe forever in a state of crisis.
Renewables are turning the tables. The sun doesn't rely on shipping lanes that are narrow and vulnerable. (Reporting and editing by Elaine Hardcastle; Kate Abnett)
(source: Reuters)
