SOLIDAR joins 50 CSOs to call for renewables acceleration to be nature- and community-inclusive

On 9 October, the Council of the European Union formally adopted the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED). This mandates EU member states to significantly speed up permitting procedures for renewable energy projects. 50 civil society organisations and networks join their voices in a Manifesto to propose a comprehensive way to achieve this acceleration in harmony with ecosystems and local communities.

Europe is at a crossroads: smart implementation of the revised RED can accelerate the development and integration of renewables while minimising environmental impacts and fostering social innovation. Conversely, poor or inconsistent implementation risks slowing down the development of renewables, weakening both environmental protection and climate action. 

Governments have until July 2024 to implement most of these new EU rules and create the infrastructure and renewables generation potential that Europe urgently needs. Getting this right is crucial.

In a joint manifesto, civil society organisations from across Europe unite behind 5 demands:

1. An expansion of renewable energy based on sound environmental criteria.
2. Increased transparency and public participation to help improve planning and project approval.
3. Adequate staff capacity and appropriate digital tools to meet new accelerated permitting timelines.
4. Support for energy communities, a driver of fairness and equity in the energy transition.
5. Strategic policies and investments to ensure a resource-efficient energy transition.

Read the Manifesto here and its summary here!