Brussels, 24 July 2020 – Following the approval earlier this week of the Recovery Package by the European Council, the Solar Heating and Cooling industry launched today its pledge, committing to a green recovery and launching a call-for-action by policy makers in Europe.
The European solar thermal industry got together in a common pledge to state its commitment to a ‘Green Recovery’. “We want to demonstrate that the European solar thermal industry is ready to do its part in bringing about an economic recovery in line with the continent’s energy and climate targets,” said Pedro Dias, Secretary General of Solar Heat Europe.
“Our sector has been contributing to a sustainable green transition over the past decades. We therefore welcome this strong commitment from the EU leaders“, Dias added, referring to the agreement reached earlier this week at an historic European Council, were the Recovery Package was approved.
In the industry’s pledge, the signatories, a group of over 150 private and public entities from more than 20 European countries commit to:
– Promote a multi-technology approach to heating and cooling
– Introduce in the market new solutions for decentralised, secured, decarbonised heat supply and thermal energy storage
– Increase the positive exporting balance of our sector
– Step up research and development activities
– Support the objectives of a sustainable, resource-efficient, and circular economy
“Delivering on these promises will require some commitment and support from the public sector”, states Costas Travasaros, President of Solar Heat Europe. “As such, we are also presenting a call-for-action, urging governments to implement several essential measures, such as phasing out fossil fuels and provide consumers with soft loans so they will opt for efficient, renewable solutions.”
“The next 10 years will be crucial to transform and decarbonise the heating market, because we will need zero-carbon residential, commercial and industrial heating systems by 2030, since all new systems installed afterwards will most likely still be running in 2050.”, stated Travasaros. “We need swift action and to consider solar heating and cooling in Europe’s recovery plan”, Travasaros added, referring to the National Recovery Plans, that shall be submitted to the European Commission next October. “We are willing to contribute to this discussion in all European countries, with ideas, proposals and a strong commitment from our sector.”, Costas Travasaros concluded.
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