Four years after it was presented, the European Green Deal has failed to lead EU countries towards innovation and economic transformation, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS, ECR) said on Tuesday (26 September).
Only the Green Deal’s ambitions in terms of environmental protection and sustainability have been met so far, Fiala added.
“It has so far failed to move us significantly forward in terms of innovation and in transforming the European economy. And I think that is the limit that we have to think beyond because if we fail to deliver on this, many people will continue to reject the concept,“ Fiala said at the Green Deal Summit, a conference organised by Czech media house Economia, media partner of Euractiv.cz.
The Green Deal is also likely to be an important issue in the upcoming European elections in 2024, Fiala added.
According to the Czech prime minister, implementing the Green Deal is a reality, and efforts should be made to ensure its ambitions are met to maximise opportunities.
Czechia is one of the EU countries that keeps EU climate targets in check.
The country argues that climate policy must consider the needs of European industry and that detailed impact studies must back up any more ambitions of EU targets.
“The poetic words that we like to some extent and that for several centuries have referred to Europe as ‘the old continent’ could take on a new meaning, not so positive, in the context of the global economy. And I think this is also a challenge for us to respond appropriately,” Fiala warned.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also attended the Green Deal Summit. According to her, the Czech industry has great potential due to its long tradition.
Czechia is currently one of the most industrialised countries in Europe, with the sector accounting for almost 30% of the country’s GDP.
(Aneta Zachová | Euractiv.cz)
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