In the European Union (EU) and its Southern Neighbourhood, particularly in the Mediterranean region, energy security has emerged as a critical issue impacting every facet of daily life, from transportation and water and waste management to agriculture and industry as well as to healthcare and education. Both regions are significantly hampered by an overdependence on fossil fuels which not only contributes to global climate change but also places the regions at the mercy of the unpredictable global fossil fuel market, given their status as net importers of energy. Therefore, transitioning towards renewable energy sources is not just imperative for combating climate change and ensuring energy security; it also represents a strategic opportunity for the EU to strengthen its relationships with Southern Neighbourhood countries by collaborating on green energy initiatives. Neither the EU nor its Southern Neighbourhood can independently accomplish a green transition.
This webinar is motivated by the recent study, Strengthening EU-Southern Neighbourhood Relations: The Imperative of Equal Partnerships in the Green Energy Transition, published by EMEA and Bertelsmann Stiftung. The study highlights the importance of green partnerships and collaboration on green energy uptake as a strategic effort to achieve regional resilience, ensure future energy security, and safeguard the environment and provides 3 key recommendations to achieve this. Firstly, the authors argue for the strengthening of available financial tools such as NDICI, ESFD+, Global Gateway, and the Economic Investment Plan for the new Agenda for the Mediterranean, ensuring they are transparent and available to all stakeholders. Secondly, foster innovation and capacity building by launching initiatives within existing frameworks such as ERASMUS+ to bolster green skills and facilitate educational exchanges and knowledge transfer. And finally, ensure community engagement is at the heart of green policy by creating formal platforms for local participation in the planning and implementation of green projects.
The study advocates for an approach centred on equity, ensuring that the transition to renewable energy addresses both the EU’s environmental and energy security needs while catalyzing economic development and sustainability in the Southern Neighbourhood. The aim of this webinar is to delve deeper into each of the three policy recommendations with key stakeholders from across the region, considering opportunities and barriers to strengthening such partnerships across the Mediterranean.
The webinar is organised by the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA) in collaboration with Bertelsmann Stiftung, and will take place on Thursday 6th June 2024, 15:00-16:30 CET, on Zoom.
