Climate commissioner speaks on energy innovation

Miguel Cañete, the newly appointed commissioner for climate change, has told the European Parliament that energy policies should be used to create jobs and innovation.

The Spanish commissioner spoke for the first time before the Parliament’s committee on environment, public health and food safety on 12 November. Cañete is working on the jobs, growth and investment package that the European Commission is preparing as part of its €300 billion investment plan. He said climate action and energy are integral to creating sustainable growth.

In his speech, he also welcomed the climate and energy policy framework, which sets a target of 27 per cent of energy from renewable sources and a greenhouse gas emission reduction target of at least 40 per cent by 2030. He added that the implementation needs to be done concretely and effectively to reap the economic benefits.