How to Minimise the ‘Greenlash’

Summary:

Slowing down decarbonisation to appease the leaders of the backlash against green policies would do no favours to Europe. It would not offer respite on the cost-of-living front, because relying on fossil fuels is both expensive and risky, as the energy crunch of the past two years has shown. Similarly, slowing or freezing climate action at a time when both the United States and China are pouring important subsidies into green technology industries would not make Europe more competitive. Business as usual, be it walking back on approved energy and climate laws or hitting ‘pause’ on necessary future changes, is not an option. Policy-makers should focus on designing green policies that make decarbonisation affordable, and highlight its social benefits.

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ESO Records

European Commission: COM (2019) 640: Communication on the European Green Deal https://www.europeansources.info/record/communication-on-the-european-green-deal/

European Commission: COM (2021) 550 : ‘Fit for 55’: delivering the EU’s 2030 Climate Target on the way to climate neutrality https://www.europeansources.info/record/fit-for-55-delivering-the-eus-2030-climate-target-on-the-way-to-climate-neutrality/

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