The coal warehouse at the Moorburg power plant, in Hamburg (north), on August 25, 2022 (AFP / Florian CAZERES)
The UN on Monday called on the European Union to avoid turning to fossil fuels in the face of the energy crisis created by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, deploring this desire to “turn back” contrary to climate interests.
The Acting High Commissioner, Nada Al-Nashif, ended her opening speech at the 51st session of the Human Rights Council by briefly discussing the energy consequences of the war in Ukraine.
“As energy prices soar, threatening to hit the most vulnerable as winter approaches, some EU member states are turning to investments in infrastructure and fossil fuel supply “, she remarked.
“While this impulse is understandable, I urge the EU and its member states to consider the long-term consequences of building up fossil fuel infrastructure,” she continued.
Europe is hit hard by the rise in world energy prices, first fueled by the post-covid recovery, then by the war in Ukraine, which today raises fears of shortages with the gradual shutdown Russian gas deliveries. In 2021, around 45% of EU natural gas imports came from Russia.
Some countries, including Germany, have notably announced an increased use of coal.
Mrs Al-Nashif on the contrary called on the Europeans to speed up the development of energy efficiency projects and renewable energies.
“There is no room for turning back in the face of the current climate crisis,” she reminded them.
On July 28, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing the right of human beings to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. This vote followed the adoption in 2021 by the Human Rights Council of a resolution for the universal recognition of the human right to a healthy environment.
© 2022 AFP
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