The story of the Sambhavna Clinic, a non-profit holistic health clinic in Bhopal, India, built to treat those injured by the Union Carbide toxic gas release in 1984. enlarge video
Contact: Anja Leetz +49 175 732 0657
Ministers debate but do not decide on Europe’s energy mix
Brussels — HCWH Europe, associated member of CAN Europe is glad to see Ministers’ recognition of the key role that renewable energies will play in the transition to a low-carbon and sustainable energy economy, but insist that industry needs to receive a clear message that the EU will continue to rely on renewable energies after 2020 in order to achieve its decarbonisation goals and at the same time boost economic growth.
"15,000 European hospitals have a high demand for heating and electricity and require a large amount of energy for water heating, ventilation, air conditioning and, in some cases, steam. They produce some 250 million CO2 tonnes per annum, a figure similar to the international aviation and maritime transport activities of the EU27 Member States . Therefore the health sector needs clear guidance and support to decarbonise their operations being able to switch to renewables, such as geothermal, solar and combined hear and power plants."
Director
HCWH Europe
On September 17th, EU Energy Ministers moved forward important and strategic discussions related to Europe’s clean and sustainable energy future.
But without clarity on long ‐ term targets for 2030 and beyond, this rosy future is not guaranteed.
“CAN ‐ Europe is very glad to see Ministers’ recognition of the key role that renewable energies will play in the transition to a low - carbon, sustainable energy future,” said Daniel Fraile, CAN Europe Senior Policy Officer.
“We now need to see ambitious targets put in place for 2030 and beyond.” Investors, grid operators and renewable industries need an explicit message that after 2020, the EU will continue to rely on renewable to achieve its decarbonisation goals and boost economic growth.
To reach 2030 targets, the EU should invest in researching the real potential of alternative sources of heating and cooling, such as geothermal, solar thermal and sustainable bioenergy.
“Europe’s continued investment into renewable will ensure that the jobs of the future are not sent overseas,” Fraile concluded. “We urge Ministers to propose ambitious binding 2030 targets for renewables, as part of a broader group of 2030 climate and energy targets, including strengthening currently weak 2020 targets.”
Health Care Without Harm is an international coalition of more than 500 organizations in 53 countries, working to transform the health care sector worldwide, without compromising patient safety or care, so that it is ecologically sustainable and no longer a source of harm to public health and the environment. Visit the HCWH website for more information.
