Policy Dialogue with Commissioner Kadri Simson: "How to ensure that Europe’s future energy independence is sustainable"

In the context of the European Year of Youth, Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy, opened the third European Youth Energy Day with a discussion with young individuals from across Member States. The speakers offered their perspectives on how best to meet Europe’s energy targets and what actions must be taken to ensure a sustainable energy future for the next generation.

Did you miss the live discussion? Don't worry, you can watch the recorded version online.

Speakers

• Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy, European Commission
• Tobias Holle,  Fridays for Future Germany
• Ksenija Anžinovska, Senior Inspector, Maritime Administration of Latvia
• Federica Gasbarro, Youth 4 Climate Italian Delegate
• Petar Georgiev, Head of Strategy & Partnerships, AMPECO
• Valentin Walter, Citizen Renewable energy, Project Leader, Énergie Partagée
• Max Tetteroo, Junior Analyst, Climate & Company
• Ioannis Poulopoulos, Master of Science and Technology Student, Ecole Polytechnique
• Miguel Mósca, Youth Leader
• Anna-Lilla Havasi, EU Policy Expert
• Julia Policheva, Senior director, Transport & Environment’s (T&E)
• Hitika Shah, PhD student, TU Dublin-Grangegorman campus, Ireland
• Silja Markkula, President, European Youth Forum
• Anja Fortuna, Vice-President, European Youth Forum

Take aways from the Dialogue

1. The energy transition within the current geopolitical context. To overcome this challenge, the European Green Deal  has the ambition to transform Europe into a resource-efficient and competitive economy, to reach climate neutrality by 2050 and  to ensure that no one is left behind. The energy transition addresses all aspects of the energy policy – from renovation to renewables, from transport to taxation – to ensure a secure, affordable and sustainable supply of energy. Reducing the electricity demand is also key to overcome the energy crisis. 
2. The sustainability of energy investments:  The energy sector has an enormous potential to drive the transition to climate-neutrality by diversying  actions and sources. Energy efficiency, renewables, renewable hydrogen, a well-interconnected and secure energy supply, storage and smart solutions will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing distribution and consumption which also means to engage consumers. The financial sector is a building block at the service of sustainability accross all economic sectors and policy areas.
3. Citizens’ engagement in the energy transition: Steering innovation on the ground by promoting energy communities, incentivising research and investing in education concerning relevant energy fields are key factors to achieve Europe’s energy neutrality,
4. Since 2020, the annual European Youth Energy Day (EYED) is part of the annual conference of DG Energy (European Sustainable Energy Week - EUSEW): It represents a good opportunity to bring young people’s voices to the forefront of the clean energy transition. With the EYY, the Dialogue with Commissioner Simson was an opportunity to debate and reply to young people's questions. She also acquired the views of the young people on the energy transition.  In 2023, EYED will be elaborated around a policy dialogue or activities with interactive elements between participants, onsite and online, and with more possibilities for young people to express their views in the context of energy policy making.