{"id":57193,"date":"2022-12-02T16:11:40","date_gmt":"2022-12-02T15:11:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/?p=57193"},"modified":"2024-12-16T18:39:57","modified_gmt":"2024-12-16T17:39:57","slug":"global-energy-crisis-four-ways-europe-governments-must-respond","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/story\/57193\/global-energy-crisis-four-ways-europe-governments-must-respond\/","title":{"rendered":"Four ways Europe\u2019s governments must respond to the global energy crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s a volatile time for Europe. War. Historically high gas, oil, and electricity prices. High inflation. Looming recession. Climate crisis. Soon, winter will arrive, leaving people at risk of a choice between being able to afford to heat their homes or cook their meals.<\/p>\n\n

The first global energy crisis<\/a> calls for an unprecedented level of intervention from national governments and the EU, the world\u2019s third biggest emitter of climate-wrecking pollution<\/a>. Europe must reduce its consumption of gas, oil, and electricity fast. And it must be done in a way that ensures sustainability without exacerbating energy poverty. Households need fair reduction and fair redistribution to address the cost-of-living crisis. (HINT: Industry is the biggest user and must be made to save the most!).<\/p>\n\n

And governments must stop the expansion of fossil fuel extraction and infrastructure to tackle the climate crisis that\u2019s affecting everyone and disproportionately harming the most vulnerable countries and communities worldwide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

\"Energy
Dozens of climate and fuel poverty activists from Fuel Poverty Action and Greenpeace UK occupy a hall at the heart of the UK Parliament and read testimonies from people struggling with their bills from all over the UK.
\u00a9 Suzanne Plunkett \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

How decision makers handle this crisis will determine whether countries manage to meet commitments under the Paris climate agreement to keep global heating to 1.5\u00b0C, and therefore our future on this planet. The International Energy Agency<\/a> warned of \u201cthe fragility and unsustainability of our current energy system\u201d and asked \u201cwhether the crisis will be a setback for clean energy transitions or will catalyse faster action.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

Europe\u2019s response must NOT be to promote new oil and gas extraction and export infrastructure at home or abroad. That won\u2019t help anyone anywhere to tackle energy exclusion or cost of living crisis<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

\n

An EU-led 'dash for gas' in Africa is dangerous and threatens communities in both Africa and Europe.

The oil and gas industry is leading Africa down a path of environmental destruction, stranded assets, energy poverty and economic disaster.@eve_chantel<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/1aP1dZ3b1Y<\/a><\/p>— Greenpeace International (@Greenpeace) November 3, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>