Timmermans: If we convince the Czech Republic of the Green Deal, then everyone
Update: 26/09/2022 17:10
Issued by: 26/09/2022, 11:56
Prague – The green economy brings more jobs, but it will be necessary to ensure a fair transformation. The Vice-President of the European Commission (EC) responsible for climate policy, Frans Timmermans, said this at today’s Green Deal summit in Prague. He added that if the benefits of the Green Deal can convince the Czechs, it can then convince everyone. Due to the event, protests were held today in front of the building in Mikulandská street where the summit was held. They were peaceful.
The so-called Green Deal for Europe envisages reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union by at least 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990. The European Commission wants to make Europe “the first climate-neutral continent” by 2050.
“The Green Deal is a change, but in general I believe we have set it right. Carbon neutrality is a plan that should have been launched many years ago and Europe is proof that you can grow economically without proportionally increasing carbon emissions,” Timmermans said.
He stated that better transformation was fraught with risks and if the right policies were not chosen, a small group of very rich and a large group of poor would emerge. According to her, however, the green economy offers more jobs, but they are different from traditional positions. “We have to make the transition fair. There are tendencies to say it will be unfair, so we have to explain and make decisions so that everyone is part of it in a positive way,” he said.
Timmerman mentioned the need to show the possibilities that the Green Deal brings for Europe. “If I convince the Czechs, I can do all of them,” said Timmermans.
As in the summer at the meeting of EU environment ministers in Prague, he appealed for unity against Russia. According to him, the agenda of Moscow and other politicians is to blame the Green Deal for high energy prices. Renewable sources will also help independence from Russian gas. And if, according to Timmermans, it is possible to convince the citizens that they will not freeze in the winter and can handle the following summers, then the transformation to a greener economy will be something that the Czech nation will also support.
He pointed out that the transition to renewable sources has become more urgent and accelerated due to the war in Ukraine and the impending energy shortage. He stated that this also shows the Czechs’ efforts to install photovoltaic panels or heat pumps. “You can see their rationality,” he said.
During Timmermans’ speech, three representatives of the Rainbow Movement stood under condition. Like other activists, they drew attention to the fact that the main partner of the conference is the global oil company Shell. “Greenwashing: Don’t be a part of it,” read one of the windows, among other things. Greenwashing means undermining the credible debate on addressing climate change. This refers to the dissemination of misleading information that is intended to improve the image of a company or organization and present it as environmentally responsible.
The organizer of the summit, Hospodářské noviny, ČTK said that it respects the right of everyone to express their opinion.
About 40 environmental activists from the organizations Re-set, the University for the Climate, the Rainbow Movement and others protested in front of the building in the afternoon because of Shell, but also the ČEZ company, other partners of the summit. They brought banners with the words “Climate Justice” or “You’re just blinded bastards”. They symbolically painted the surroundings with a green paint roller and chanted “Ugh, shame”. They also criticized the University of Applied Arts in Prague for providing its premises for the summit.
In Mikulandské morning and in the afternoon, several people also stood during the protest against the Green Deal for Europe initiated by the PES Movement, SPD Praha and Trikolora. Jiří Janeček told ČTK that the PES Movement is asking for a slower transition to renewable energy sources and support for coal due to the energy crisis.