The Minister of Environment and Energy, Costas Skrekas, participated today in the meeting of the Council of Ministers of Environment of the EU. held in Brussels. Mr. Skrekas stressed that the Council is taking place at an extremely critical time, due to the large price increases in the cost of electricity and gas.
He reiterated that it is imperative to take initiatives at central level, by setting up a European mechanism to support vulnerable households and small and medium-sized enterprises from the effects of the international energy crisis. He said: “If the market forecasts are verified, European citizens will be asked to pay an additional € 350 billion in 2022 due to rising electricity and gas prices. In the face of this exceptional situation we can not remain indifferent. “create a central European mechanism to support vulnerable households and small and medium-sized enterprises in the face of these large increases in energy costs.”
In his speech at the Council, the Greek Minister told his counterparts that our country fully supports the Fit for 55 package, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. To achieve the climate targets, Greece has put into public consultation the first National Climate Law with specific measures, such as the ban on the registration of new vehicles with internal combustion engines and the ban on the use of heating oil burners from 2030.
Regarding the reduction of the carbon footprint of shipping, the Minister of Environment and Energy pointed out that it is a key priority for Greece. He added that € 250 million in funding has been secured to reduce ship emissions, corresponding to an investment of € 625 million, as part of a comprehensive plan to carbonize the Greek islands, which will be submitted to the European Commission and the European Commission in the near future. Investment Bank.
Regarding the inclusion of shipping in the system of greenhouse gas emission auctions (ETS), Mr. Skrekas underlined that Greece proposes the following:
– Pursuant to the “polluter pays” principle, coal costs should be borne by the charterer and not the ship-owning company.
– The allocation of emission allowances in shipping should be done in the Member States proportionally, taking into account the total emissions related to shipping.
– All revenues from greenhouse gas emission allowances to be returned to the shipping industry to finance carbonation actions. To support innovative solutions in the whole range of shipping activities, Greece supports the creation of a European Research Center for Alternative Marine Fuels and Technologies.
The Greek Minister also referred to the need to protect the competitiveness of European export industrial products that are part of the Carbon Border Adjust Mechanism.
Finally, regarding the inclusion of transport and buildings in the ETS, Mr. Skrekas stressed that care should be taken in order not to have unpredictable social consequences which can not be covered by the Social Climate Fund.
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Source From: Capital
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