On the Trail of European Climate Policy: Study Tour to Brussels
by Susanne Reiff, GIZ/EUKI
Climate action happens locally – for example in EUKI projects in the Romanian capital Bucharest, in Rijeka in Croatia or in the Greek city of Thermi. However, key climate policy decisions guiding local climate action are made at European level in Brussels. At the beginning of June, 20 participants from EUKI projects in 11 countries will therefore be travelling to the Belgian capital to obtain first-hand insights into European climate policy, gain a better understanding of the climate policy framework and current challenges and develop strategies for local action. They are taking part in the second EUKI study tour – a unique opportunity for focused dialogue.
The momentum driving climate action in politics, the economy and society has been slackening for some time. Policy areas such as security and competitiveness are gaining attention in light of the Russian war against Ukraine, trade conflicts and negative forecasts for the economy. How can the climate policy optimism that has flourished in the context of the European Green Deal be maintained? How can competitiveness and a green transformation go hand in hand? The study tour participants will discuss these and other topics, such as the European Union Emissions Trading System and the decarbonisation of the housing sector, with Members of the European Parliament, representatives of the European Commission and Brussels-based climate institutions.
Combating shrinking spaces for civil society
The study tour’s three-day programme addresses a trend observed throughout the European Union, and particularly in the Member States in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe: Civil society – a key target group of EUKI projects – is increasingly under pressure. For example, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), which organises the study tour on behalf of EUKI, recently reported that civil society organisations which promote democratic values are increasingly being targeted by Members of the European Parliament from the European People’s Party (EPP) and far-right groups. According to the EEB, their funding is being called into question and disinformation is being spread. During the study tour, the participants will discuss how they can defend these ‘shrinking spaces’. With input from experts such as Corina Murafa, a member of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group set up by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), they will identify viable strategies in response to this trend.
Committed to a just transition
The costs of climate change mitigation should not impact the weakest in society, who can rarely afford low-carbon heating systems or green transport. This is a guiding principle for many EUKI projects, so the first two days of the study will focus on discussing ways to mitigate social hardship caused by European carbon pricing through the Social Climate Fund (SCF). On the third and final day of the study tour, participants then dive into the decarbonisation of European energy supply, heating and industrial sectors. With input from industry experts from CAN Europe and the French think tank négaWatt, participants will consider whether technologies such as green hydrogen and carbon capture and storage have the potential to be delivered at scale and on time, and how the public can be actively involved in developing strategies to increase renewable energy use.
These are some of the questions which the study tour aims to address. After the tour on 5 June, some of the answers and insights gained will be published here.