Citizens must be at the heart of national energy policies, according to the European Economic and Social Committee.
Committee president Luca Jahier said there is a need to establish a permanent citizens’ dialogue including meaningful participation in decision-making processes and a social pact between governments, authorities, social partners and civil society.
This would bring the EU closer to its citizens by “involving them directly in policy-making processes and in putting into practice the transition to a climate-neutral Europe”, Jahier said at the conclusion of the EESC June plenary.
European Commission vice-president responsible for the energy union Maros Sefcovic said: “The energy union cannot be built in Brussels, but back in the member states.
“The transition must be done comprehensively – making sure that no region, sector or social group is left behind. It must be a socially fair transition owned by all actors.”
The EESC is a consultative body of the EU composed of ‘social partners’, such as employers, employees and representatives of various other interests.