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This is a production of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe.

This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of CAN Europe and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

PICTURES & VIDEOS:
DiMedia/ Storyblocks
HDVMaster/ Storyblocks
Bogdan Hoyaux/ European Commission
Elena Horn / Global Witness KiaraWorth/UNFCCC
REUTERS/Benoit
Tessier Thomas Gennara/Consumers Energy/ Climate Outreach www.climatenetwork.org/WorldWeWant/Cooperativa De Energie
Europe Beyond Coal
Callum Shaw/ Unsplash










Media
  • Andy Aitchinson
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How Russia's war in Ukraine is reshaping Europe's energy Reality

February 2023







Day 0: 24th February, 2022

On the 24th February, 2022 Russia began its invasion of Ukraine creating a humanitarian crisis that has left over 8 million refugees displaced across Europe and more internally.

After the absolute shock in the first days of the war, which was strongly condemned by civil society including CAN Europe, it became clear that the brunt was borne by millions of innocent civilians in Ukraine, while its repercussions were global.









From Ukraine to the world



A Energy fossil fuel crisis

The war in Ukraine exposed Europe and the globe’s dangerous chronic addiction to fossil fuels.

An addiction that not only jeopardises Europe’s energy security and pushes many Europeans in energy poverty, but also harms climate and our future, as more and more of us are affected by devastating catastrophes such as droughts, wildfires and floods.

















May 2022

The EU’s energy response to the war

The European Commission launched REPowerEU, a plan to replace Russian fossil gas through investing in renewable energy and increasing energy savings in different sectors across the 27 EU Member States. The EU's response was fast and managed to lower gas imports from Russia significantly.

Then, what is it that is hindering a real solution?













The solutions are here, where’s the political will?

Although a step in the right direction, the energy targets and proposals put forward in the EU’s response to the war do not go far enough. 'REPowerEU' also focused on diversifying fossil fuel supply, which should have been out of the picture, and allowing Member States to invest EU funds in fossil gas.

Science and equity principles confirms that the EU can reach its Paris Agreement goals and secure its energy supply with at least a 65% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2030 and a 100% sustainable, renewable energy supply by 2040 -

CAN Europe’s Paris Agreement Compatible Scenario shows.







Replacing fossil fuels with… fossil fuels?

In an outrageous panic shopping move, the EU and some states in the EU fell into false solutions by signing international agreements seeking to replace imports from Russia with other countries, sometimes further consolidating thereby authoritarian regimes and increasing the vulnerability of people in the Global South. In some cases, long-term contracts were signed, which locks the EU into buying fossil fuels despite public knowledge that they have no place in the near future.

This was a missed opportunity to put people before profit. by shifting the finances to support those most in need, instead of making fossil fuel industries to benefit from the crisis even further.















A fossil fuel winter pushing people to poverty

Already high energy prices skyrocketed during the past year, pushing millions of people in Europe into energy poverty. Although some measures were launched to shield people, these were not always targeted to ensure that support was received by those who needed it the most, including women-led households, which are disproportionately affected. In a nutshell, financial support was insufficient for those in need, while it was given to those who didn’t need it.

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Long lasting solutions for all and for the climate

In solidarity with Ukraine and in the face of overwhelming climate change evidence, people, civil society and businesses are calling for an accelerated fair and inclusive energy transition.

Many citizens and communities throughout Europe have already taken steps to secure their own energy supply through democratic, sustainable, local energy initiatives. Decentralisation gives everyone the chance to pitch in and contribute to a more sustainable world!



















Energy Communities: bringing power to the people

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Putting the energy where it’s needed

Money Talks!

Over €48 billion euro were wasted last year on Russian fossil gas, fueling the war in Ukraine and the climate crisis.

Meanwhile, the fossil fuel industry has managed to make record profits.

This is intolerable! We need to put all our money into solutions, rather than the energy materials of the past. Instead of investing in fossil fuels, we need to install solar panels and heat pumps and renovate Europe’s inefficient building stock with a focus on the worst performing buildings, helping people to cope with the energy prices crisis as well as helping the climate.

Alarming subsidies for fossil fuels

Pledges fall short, and in 2019 fifteen EU Member States were spending more on fossil-fuel subsidies than renewable energy subsidies. Member States should rapidly phase out of fossil fuels subsidies, in a socially just manner. In addition, the EU needs to swiftly end the handout of free pollution permits under the Emissions Trading System and fully enforce the polluter pays principle.

Taxpayers' money is going to dirty energies which are the main driver of climate change, through tax breaks and subsidies. Private finance also needs to be redirected where it’s needed: the solutions to the climate crisis.

Higher Ambition for our Energy Transition

People know that energy savings and more renewables are key. In approaching the anniversary of the REPowerEU launch, EU Energy Ministers must be bold and commit to higher EU 2030 energy targets.

Higher energy efficiency and renewable energy targets for 2030 will begin to pave the way.

Higher ambition for our energy transition should not only repower the EU, but also repower the people.









CAN Europe stands with the people impacted by the war and asks respect for the International Humanitarian Law that protects civilians. CAN Europe calls on the EU to put in place policies that will bring about fossil fuels phase out as a fundamental contribution to address the root causes of climate change and injustice through a peaceful and a fair just transition for all.



This is a production of Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, Europe's leading NGO coalition fighting dangerous climate change. With over 170 member organisations active in 38 European countries, representing over 1,500 NGOs and more than 47 million citizens, CAN Europe promotes sustainable climate, energy and development policies throughout Europe.

Website: caneurope.org

Twitter: @CANEurope

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This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of CAN Europe and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.





Credits of images/videos/sound (in order of appearance)

  • DiMedia/ Storyblocks
  • HDVMaster/ Storyblocks
  • Bogdan Hoyaux/ European Commission
  • Elena Horn / Global Witness
  • KiaraWorth/UNFCCC
  • REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
  • Thomas Gennara/Consumers Energy/ Climate Outreach
  • www.climatenetwork.org/WorldWeWant/Cooperativa De Energie
  • Jessica Reeder / BlackRockSolar/ Climate Outreach
  • Europe Beyond Coal
  • Callum Shaw/ Unsplash