Page 11 - EurOil Week 28 2021

EurOil ENERGY TRANSITION EurOil

EU citizens view climate change

as biggest problem: survey

EUROPE A new EU survey has found that European cit- minimum, according to the study, while off-
izens view climate change as the single most setting any remainder to ensure the EU is cli-
The overwhelming serious problem facing the world, the European mate neutral by 2050. Some 87% think higher
majority also want Commission reported on July 5. targets are needed for renewable energy capac-
emission reduction More than nine out of ten people surveyed, ity, and the same share believes it is important
targets to be higher. some 93%, believe that climate change is a that support is provided for improving energy
serious problem, whereas 78% view it as very efficiency.
serious. When asked to choose the single most “Despite the pandemic and the economic
serious problem facing the world, some 29% hardship Europeans are facing, support for cli-
chose either climate change (18%), deteriora- mate action remains high,” Vice-President for
tion of nature (7%) or health problems due to the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans,
pollution (4%). commented. “Europeans recognise the long-
The EU recently raised its goal for net green- term risks posed by the climate and biodiversity
house gas (GHG) reductions by 2030 to 55% crises, and expect industry, governments and the
versus a 1990 baseline level. It is in the process EU to take action.”
of overhauling various climate, energy and other The EC said the results of the survey should
policies to align them with this new ambition. serve as a “rallying call for politicians and
The EC will propose these legislative changes, businesses.”
collectively known as the Fit-for-55 package, “For the EC, they provide added motivation
later this month. to finalise the Fit-for-55 legislation that we’ll
In terms of policy, 90% of Europeans agree present later this month to make sure we reach
that GHG emissions should be reduced to a our climate targets,” the Commission said. ™

POLICY

Turkey intends to continue

exploring East Med

TURKEY TURKISH President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the new voyage as a “major escalation” and a
last week that the country intends to continue “direct threat to peace in the region”. Turkey in
Turkey’s actions have carrying out hydrocarbon exploration through- return accused Athens of fuelling tensions.
drawn the ire of the EU. out the Eastern Mediterranean despite tensions The Oruc Reis was sent to carry out work
with the European Union relating to sovereignty. south of the Greek island of Kastellorizo, close to
Speaking during a visit to the north-western Turkey’s coast. Ankara had withdrawn the vessel
province of Sakarya, Erdogan said Ankara had from contested waters in the eastern Mediterra-
received “signals of natural gas” in the Eastern nean a month earlier to “allow for diplomacy”
Med, adding: “Whatever our rights are, we will before an EU summit. At that summit, Cyprus
take those one way or another. And we will carry sought sanctions against Turkey, but the EU
out our oil exploration operations in the eastern opted to give Turkey another chance, until
Mediterranean, Cyprus, and all those seas.” December, to change its approach to the dispute.
Several days later, the country’s energy minis- In November, the vessel returned to port in
ter reported in its Official Gazette that state-owned Turkey and Ankara resumed direct talks with
Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) had applied for an Athens for the first time in five years. Two rounds
exploration for three areas in the Eastern Med. of talks have been held since January, but short-
Turkey drew the ire of the EU in October last term progress is unlikely.
year when it announced that it was sending a Erdogan’s comments follow a pledge by the
seismic research vessel back into eastern Med- EU to provide $4.13bn for Turkey to continue to
iterranean waters claimed by Greece. host Syrian refugees, an offer Ankara dismissed
The announcement of the plans of the vessel, as insufficient, calling for the bloc to increase
the Oruc Reis, prompted Greece to issue a furi- efforts to co-operate.
ous new demand for European Union sanctions He will make a visit to the Turkish Republic of
on Turkey. Greece’s foreign ministry described Northern Cyprus (TRNC) next week. ™

Week 28 15•July•2021 www. NEWSBASE .com P11