“Cheap electricity must be further developed, especially through more renewable energy”, the Greens deputy Joëlle Welfring declared in conversation with RTL, on Friday.
Holding climate policy responsible for high energy prices and other problems is, in the view of Green Party deputy Joëlle Welfring, not correct. She attributed the issue primarily to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the fact that Europe had previously been too dependent on cheap Russian gas.
If certain parts of the industry are struggling, she added, it is also because those affected have not adapted in time, citing the automotive industry as an example. The goal is to become even more independent. The former Minister of the Environment defended the progress made in the past 10 years, mentioning that 75 percent of the wind turbines in the country were installed during this period.
She also expressed regret that energy price caps will be reduced next year, as this will cause electricity prices to rise again, hindering the energy transition.
When asked about the new "mindset" that Prime Minister Luc Frieden called for from civil servants and environmental administrations, Welfring accused Frieden of presenting "alternative facts". She added that, through parliamentary questions, the Greens were able to "debunk" statements made by the Prime Minister. It was incorrect to claim that no photovoltaic systems or water reserves would be authorized in green zones.
Making more of an impact at COP
The result of COP29, which ended over the weekend, was not a setback, but also not progress, according to Joëlle Welfring. Unlike current Minister of the Environment Serge Wilmes, the former minister said she was "not satisfied". Even though the financial package for addressing the consequences of global warming has increased from 100 to 300 billion US dollars, it is now crucial to see how climate protection and the reduction of greenhouse gases are implemented on the ground. In terms of the Grand Duchy, she called on the government to provide more support to people, for example with an agency for renovations.
Asked whether she could have achieved more at COP than her successor, Welfring said it was "hard to say", but pointed out that when she was minister, Luxembourg participated in a coalition of countries that was "very proactive in climate protection". As a result, the country presented itself differently internationally, and with "the right people," one could also "make an impact".
Would she have been able to achieve more at COP than her successor? “Difficult to say”, Joelle Welfring replies. Nonetheless, she highlights that when she was minister, Luxembourg was part of a union of countries who were “very proactive in terms of climate protection.” In that manner, we represent ourselves differently to others, but with the “right people”, we can also “set an example”, she concludes.
Regarding Black Friday, the Green MP said: "One thing is when, I would say, a radio station stirs up consumption with advertisements. The other thing is, I believe, when you don’t make people feel guilty." It is important to offer alternatives to people’s choices. Similar to public transport, those alternatives must be "simple", "cheaper", and "logical".
