10/04/2026 Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development
Saskia Kluit (Netherlands, SOC), PACE rapporteur on “Analysis and guidelines for a sustainable and socially fair energy transition”, made the following statement today:
“War in the Middle East is sending shock waves across the energy sector in Europe and worldwide. Large swathes of national economies and the population at large are exposed to escalating prices and a reduced supply of hydrocarbon fuels. Rising energy prices risk fuelling inflation that will hurt the most vulnerable people and economic sectors, as well as our shared prosperity. We should not underestimate the possible impact on agriculture, food production and food security. We must save the limited fossil fuel reserves we have in Europe for vital needs.
The case for moving to sustainable, local and clean energy solutions is clear. As rapporteur on a sustainable and socially fair energy transition, I wish to recall this Assembly’s plea to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable energy system in Europe based on local natural resources. We have abundant, clean and affordable renewable energy sources – wind, sun, biomass and hydropower – that can serve our prosperity and wellbeing, while cutting pollution and climate-harmful emissions. Let us reduce our dependency on imports by accelerating investment in sustainable energy solutions – made in Europe and for Europeans. This is urgent and should be our political priority.”