EU

Following the vote of UK citizens to leave the European Union, the group of ten of the leading environmental networks active at European level comment on the need to engage in a new reflection on the future direction of Europe. Now more than ever, it is crucial for the EU to show it is united, not paralysed, and remains willing and able to act for the benefit of its citizens and their natural environment.

Civil Society Europe brings together thirty European civil society networks around the European values of sustainability, equality, solidarity, democracy and inclusion.

We now await, from the European institutions, a reaction which puts these values at the centre of European policy and which starts a genuine civil dialogue between the institutions and civil society.

For our organisations, which bring together tens of millions of members, this is the only way to respond to the crises in society which have influenced the way in which citizens think about the European project.

Energy Cities, Counter Balance, CEE Bankwatch Network and Change Partnership see the ongoing revision of the European ETS as a crucial opportunity to support the EU in meeting its 2030 climate targets, deliver on the Paris agreement and accelerate the locally driven energy transition. We welcome the proposal to establish an ETS (Emission Trading System) Modernisation Fund for low-income Member States.

This analysis of the European Investment Bank's (EIB) energy lending shows that the bank has been effectively hindering Europe's energy transition. Most notably, during 2013-2015, EIB lending to renewables in Europe has dropped whereas its lending to fossil fuels has modestly but consistently increased. Moreover, while EU leaders have repeatedly emphasised the 'energy efficiency first' principle, the EIB has been lagging behind with only 3.6% of its lending across sectors going to energy conservation projects.

The so-called European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) should unlock additional investment of at least EUR 315 billion over a three year period (2015-2017). One of the projects benefiting from the financing concerns the design, construction, operation and maintenance of about 27km of a motorway around Bratislava. The project will come with high costs, will damage biodiversity and likely not solve local transport problems.

The so-called European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) should unlock additional investment of at least EUR 315 billion over a three year period (2015-2017). One of the projects benefiting from the EU financing is a program that aims to promote energy efficiency in the housing stock through the funding of certain regional/local initiatives supporting energy renovation of private residential buildings in France.