The PES Environment, Climate Change and Energy Network (ECEN) met to discuss urban climate adaptation policies and the EU’s plan to make Europe the first electrified continent. The participants exchanged on the need to develop ambitious policies for ensuring that cities and regions are better prepared and equipped to face extreme weather conditions. They also exchanged on proposal to strengthen electrification and address high energy prices.
The chair of the PES ECEN Javi Lopez stated:
“Europe and the world need to step up their climate agenda. The UN is ringing the alarm that the world is on track to overshoot the global warming target of 1.5 degree Celsius. This would have severe effects for all the world and for Europe especially as it is the fastest warming continent on the planet. Last summer heatwaves caused the death of more than 50 thousand Europeans. We must act now.
Today we discussed practical examples for making cities more liveable. We need more energy-efficient housing, we need more green spaces, we need better water management infrastructures. Extreme weather events, be those heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires, are taking a huge toll on society, health, public finances, and the economy. More action is needed to better prepare cities and regions and give them the tools to offer better living spaces and be prepared for extreme weather events. Targeted measures are needed to support the most vulnerable.
Additionally, we continued our discussion on energy affordability. The cost of living is a major concern for Europeans. Today the network discussed measures for making the goal of turning Europe into the first electrified continent a reality. Improving grid connections and infrastructure, green technologies, lowering electricity taxation and investing in renewables came up prominently. Electricity cannot be more expensive than gas. Housing needs to become energy efficient as a matter of priority. Energy poverty is a reality in Europe. Targeted social measures need to be embedded in our strategies and our actions for an electrified continent.“
The European Commission presented the Electrification Action Plan in July 2026. The PES welcomes Commission’s Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera’s and Commissioner for Housing and Energy Dan Jorgensen’s electrification target of 46% by 2040, which would mean savings of up to EUR260 billion on fossil fuel imports.
The EU’s Framework for Climate Resilience was presented in October 2026 with the aim to strengthen Europe’s ability to anticipate, prepare for, and manage climate risks. The Framework provides public authorities, businesses and communities with practical tools to help them address climate risks. The PES applauds Commission’s Executive Vice President Teresa Ribera’s call for a common global warming trajectory to assess risks and prepare for the future. The Commission will further strengthen Europe’s capacity to prepare for and respond to climate extremes with a European Heatwave Plan, a Climate Insurance Alliance, and a European Water initiative.
List of participants:
- Javi Lopez, ECEN Chair and MEP
- Franco Cima, Bologna City Councilor, PES Group in the CoR
- Wissal Selmi, PS Belgium Policy Adviser
- Jurica Šimurina, SDP Croatia Policy Adviser
- Jakob Blankenburg, MP of the Bundestag, SPD Germany
- Luís Graça, MP, PS Portugal
- Evrim Rizvanoglu, MP and Deputy Chairperson, YENI Türkiye
- Justus Schonlau, PES Group in the CoR Policy Adviser
- Marta Bonifert,CEE Gender Network
- Helene Sibileau, BPIE Senior Policy Advisor
- Seda Orhan, CAN Europe Head of Energy
- Thomas Lymes, Eurocities Policy Director
- Paul Wilczek, Eurelectric Head of Unit for Energy Policy, Climate & Sustainability
- Chloe Deffet, FEPS Policy Analyst on Climate and Environment
- Eva Schwab, FEANTSA Energy Poverty Policy Officer
- Stephan Thalhofer, FES Competence Centre for Climate and Social Justice Policy Adviser
- Eliza Barnea, FES Competence Centre for Climate and Social Justice Policy Adviser
- Thomas Gelin, Greenpeace EU
- Andrea Casamenti, SOLIDAR
- Lea Appulo, Wetlands International Europe, Global Europe Programme Manager
- Arnaud Van Dooren, WWF Senior Policy Officer
- Olga Rueda Molina, S&D APA to MEP Javi Lopez
- Eva Schimek, S&D APA to MEP Csaba Molnár
- Sara Boanini, S&D Trainee to MEP Pierfrancesco Maran
- Antoine Varoquie, S&D Group Political Advisor
- Corina Popa, S&D Group Political Advisor
- Louisa Bentley, S&D Group Assistant
- Yonnec Polet, PES Deputy Secretary General
- Constantin Kourkoulas, PES Head of EU Policy Unit
- Elli Chrysanthakopoulou, PES Policy Adviser on Environment and Climate Change
