Eurovent calls for ambitious green recovery
BELGIUM: Eurovent, Europe’s HVAC and refrigeration manufacturers’ association, has called for a COVID-19 recovery package that supports the European Green Deal.
The Brussels-based organisation says that the next EU budget presents a unique opportunity to reboot the European economy and set it on the track to carbon-neutrality. It calls for an ambitious EU green recovery package that focuses on renovating the EU’s building stock, modernising the energy system, and investing in digitalisation and the circular economy.
The European Parliament has called for a recovery fund of €2trillion that would be directed to projects supporting the EU’s climate neutrality objectives, including new own resources for the EU budget. The European Commission is expected to present its recovery plan on 27 May.
In a statement, Eurovent says it recognises that the European Commission has set the global benchmark for green ambition with the European Green Deal, but urges that the current recession should not push its decarbonisation objectives down the list of priorities.
Recognising the transition to a carbon-neutral economy as the key to recovery, Eurovent says: “The time is now to invest in the clean energy transition, driving growth, creating jobs, and making European business more competitive in global markets.”
It calls on the EU leadership to match the scale and objectives of COVID-19 recovery package with the ambitions of the European Green Deal.
“Renovating our building stock, modernising our energy system, and investing in digitalisation and the circular economy is a win-win strategy that boosts the economy today and lies the groundwork for a competitive, responsible and resilient Single Market tomorrow.”
Eurovent president, Naci Sahin, stated: “Heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration businesses were not spared by the COVID-19 recession. An ambitious stimulus programme that rhymes with the notes of the European Green Deal will feed two birds with one scone [sic]: it helps the economy recover from the immediate crisis and unlocks our sector’s potential to enable the future-proofing of the economy in the long run.”
