Vice-President of the European Commission, Maroš Šefčovič, has taken charge of transitioning the union's economy towards clean technologies and renewable energy sources. The previous overseer of the EU's "Green Deal," Frans Timmermans, recently resigned to run for the position of Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
In an interview with "Euronews," Šefčovič stated that he will prioritize public and business interests in the fight against climate change.
"We are entering a new phase. Until now, much attention has been devoted to legislative work. Now, we will also be establishing the political foundation for the 'Green Deal.' This new phase will be equally, if not more challenging, as we embark on implementing the EU member states' agreement. We must ensure that the climate transition is socially just, which will contribute to our economy's maximum competitiveness."
Correspondent from Euronews, Grégoire Lori, asked Maroš Šefčovič, "Do you already have a strategy for engaging the industries in this work?"
"To achieve this, I would like to introduce a series of, I would say, structured roundtable discussions with representatives from industries most affected by the 'Green Deal.' They are under significant pressure from international competitors in light of climate changes. Our businesses should know that we are with them and advocating for their interests. We want them not only to remain but also to thrive in Europe. The EU was the first major economy to actively address the climate issue. We have outstanding companies implementing remarkable innovations. In my opinion, we need to closely collaborate with our citizens and industries to bring the 'Green Deal' to life. We need to demonstrate that this is our growth strategy."
"You mentioned that four years ago, the new European Commission realized the need for decisive action. Is this still the case today, or has fatigue regarding climate change set in?"
"Inaction at this stage would be the worst possible option. Just look at what happened this summer. There were more floods and forest fires. It's frightening to imagine what the next summer will look like if we don't take action. Therefore, I believe we need to act responsibly. We need to collaborate more actively and work diligently to achieve three comprehensive goals: being socially just, combating climate change, and making our economy competitive."
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