From the start of the ukrainian war, the European Union is mired in a security crisis, but also an energy crisis due to its dependence on Russian gas, oil and coal, which threatens its stability. The price increase it is a factor of social tension, in the face of which some European countries have adopted emergency measures in the form of bonuses or tax reductions. The Government of Spain, on the other hand, wanted to wait for a global response that would come out of the European Council meeting this Thursday and Friday in Brussels. Something that has been interpreted as an unbearable delay by carriers and other sectors that accuse the unsustainability of rising energy prices. Everything also indicates that the president, Pedro Sanchezyou will not get the support you were looking for for your proposal, and you will have to lower your expectations with a solution limited to Spain and Portugal.
The European summit will debate this Friday what to do with the price of gas, on which the price of electricity depends. Joint purchases, increasing reserves or approving compensation and aid are considered. Where there is more controversy is in capping gas prices, with some countries in favor (Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy) and others against (Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Denmark). Be that as it may, the solutions will seek to reduce Russia’s energy dependency and reduce costs for final consumers, so that they continue consuming the same. While the reticence of the European Commission and some countries to certain measures continues to weigh on the will to don’t throw away the climate agenda of the Union, these days European leaders seem to be dodging the uncomfortable dilemma of the end of cheap energy. But this debate already existed before Putin invaded Ukraine, because there is an energy transformation pending and because abandoning fossil fuels for renewables has a cost. The pandemic caused the climate emergency to be relegated from the public agenda and now, with the war and inflation, there is a risk of making the same mistake.
Of course formulas must be found to help companies and families that they cannot face the unstoppable rise in the energy bill, but they must be punctual actions. At the same time, the ground must be prepared for a new consumption model more environmentally friendly. Tax incentives should not be aimed so much at going back to the days of cheap gasoline, but at facilitate an energy transition that it does not punish more those with fewer resources and less capacity to adapt.
The protest of the transporters has capitalized the attention of these last days. The pressure is such that the Minister of Transport was forced to bring forward the meeting with representatives of the sector to this Thursday. Faced with this crisis that has blocked the distribution chain, the demonstrations on the occasion of the global climate strike convened this Friday by Fridays for Future will probably go more unnoticed. Both the protest of the truck drivers and that of the environmentalists are linked to energy consumption, but the response in each case is different. Faced with the stoppage of transport and the increase in energy prices, immediate measures are sought, however, in the face of the climatic emergency, the calendar is more lax. Abandoning commitments to the environment, however, will end up being more expensive for everyone.