Challenges for the implementation of EU climate policy in times of energy crisis on the example of renewable energy sources

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to address the question (to dispel doubts) of whether the energy crisis is a justification for postponing the EU climate targets. The answer to this question must be sought in the nature of climate change and the nature of climate protection policy and law. The thesis of this paper is that, in the growing energy crisis, the importance of EU climate protection law in mobilising Member States to take appropriately ambitious climate protection measures is growing. The worsening energy crisis requires more than ad hoc measures to support vulnerable consumers. Action must be stepped up that can have long-term effects, including increasing the resilience of the EU and Member States to the negative economic and social impacts that future energy crises may cause. At the same time, the energy crisis should provide a rationale for an appropriate choice of measures to implement climate protection actions, increase solidarity among Member States also in terms of bearing the burden of implementing actions to protect the common good (climate protection).