EC Representation in Romania: Green Deal not a poverty agenda, but opportunity for modernization, economic growth

  The Green Deal is not a poverty agenda, but brings opportunities for modernization, economic growth and innovation for all member states, including Romania, said, on Wednesday, at the Environmental & Sustainability Summit event, Ramona Chiriac, head of the European Commission Representation in Romania."The Green Deal agenda is one of the most complex, if not the most important and complex political priority of the European Commission in terms of funds. Our aim, as you know very well, is to put the EU economy on the right track to achieve a Zero carbon economy by 2050, thus reflecting our common commitment to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement by combating climate change and biodiversity loss. The Green Deal is not a poverty agenda, but brings opportunities for modernization, economic growth and innovation, as well as for the development of new skills, which we greatly need for a greener and more sustainable future. Despite the significant challenges we know all too well - the pandemic, Russia's illegal war against Ukraine, the ensuing energy crisis, supply chain issues and the unfair competition we are witnessing globally, Europe has maintained the course and fulfilled its ambition. At the EU level, renewable sources have made a significant leap forward, and Russia is no longer our key-supplier. Gas imports from Russia went from 45pct in 2021 to approximately 15pct until June this year," Chiriac emphasized.In the view of the official representative of the EC in Romania, REPowerEU is the solution for economic development in the energy sector, and the available funds for our country reach 1.4 billion euros."EU funding is available in Romania. We have the EU Recovery and Resilience Mechanism, the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, which is talked about every day. The total allocation for ecological transition projects is 12 billion euros, and 1.4 billions of euros are within REPowerEU, plus other significant funds from the Cohesion Policy, the Just Transition and the Modernization Fund," said Ramona Chiriac.She added that ongoing climate changes are faster than the ability of states to adapt and therefore decisive actions are needed.A new edition of the Environmental & Sustainability Summit event takes place on October 4 and 5 in Bucharest, on which occasion debates centered on climate change and solutions to reduce this phenomenon pop-up.