Brussels, 11 June 2024
EREF’s recent General Assembly in Berlin re-elected President Martin Bursik and elected a new Board. The new Board counts eighteen renown experts from national member associations, dedicated to provide knowledge and guidance to EREF’s strategic development and the implementation of its actions.
With his outstanding international career in energy system transformation, climate change and sustainability, including several years as Czech Minister for the Environment and Vice-Prime Minister, Martin Bursik promotes ambitious climate and energy policies that must be continued under the incoming European Commission, and the full implementation of the European Green Deal that have been agreed under the soon ending mandate.
“The election results need a careful analysis across the Union. Apart from the dangers, that our democracy is facing increasingly, we have to realise that, among others, Europe’s citizens are concerned with questions such as access to secure and affordable energy, quality jobs in their respective regions and a renewed industrial competitiveness of Europe and its Member states. EREF will continue to show that the fast transformation to a renewable-based and efficient EU energy system offers the opportunity to address many of these concerns and turn fear into promising new creativity, especially of the young people. Renewable energies reduce costs for electricity, heat and transport for citizens and our industries, while strengthening local value chains and domestic labour markets and improving Europe’s resilience and sovereignty”, highlights Martin Bursik.
EREF Director Dörte Fouquet points out that especially independent, renewable-sourced producers of power, fuel and heat; renewable energy communities, and collective citizen initiatives play a crucial role in the transition to net-zero: “We need clear growth targets for renewables as well as promising investment and planning environments. We need clarity for the citizens on the pathways they can choose themselves, as citizen, as energy communities and as cooperatives. Renewables are the best approach to join forces, find new horizons and creating solidarity on all levels.”
“With our new and strong EREF Board we remain an established and trusted partner to EU institutions and look forward to continue our cooperation and support to the new European Commission and the new co-legislators in the European Parliament”, declares Martin Bursik.
Against this background, EREF is set to launch its recommendations for the new Commission’s work programme over a virtual press conference on Monday, 24 June, at 11h CET. Please mark your calendars; the invitation will be shared soon.
For more information, please contact
Prof. Dr. Dörte Fouquet
Director
doerte.fouquet@eref-europe.org
Dirk Hendricks
Secretary General
dirk.hendricks@eref-europe.org