While the ambitious objectives outlined in the EU’s Green Deal aim at making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, national implementation greatly varies depending on local geographies, history, culture, economics, and politics. As part of the ongoing efforts of the TEPSA Network to analyse pan-European climate action, TEPSA and the European Institute of Romania (EIR) co-organised the public debate “Climate Change and the Future of Europe” on June 14, starting at 13:30 CET (14:30 EET). This public debate took place online via Zoom.

This online dialogue followed the launch of the book “Climate change and the future of Europe: Views from the Capitals”. This book analyses Member States’ and EU neighbours’ national efforts to combat climate change. It subsequently draws on these factors to highlight local challenges, tensions, and opportunities on the road towards climate neutrality. The book chapter analysing Romania’s position on climate will be presented during the event. This contribution draws the attention towards contributing to ambitious European targets while facing deep-rooted sectoral flaws. Moreover, a series of views from Bucharest concerning the topic of climate change and the future of Europe are going to be presented by two experts in combatting disinformation and advancing sustainability.

SPEAKERS:

• Welcome Speech: Oana-Mihaela Mocanu, Director General, European Institute of Romania;
• Presentation of the local book chapter: Eliza Vaș & Mihai Sebe, co-authors of the Romanian chapter, TEPSA Book “Climate Change and the Future of Europe: Views from the Capitals”;
• Discussants:
  • Alina Bârgăoanu, Professor, National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, President of the Administrative Board, European Institute of Romania;
  • Ciprian Stănescu, President & CEO, Social Innovation Solutions;
• Moderator: Michael Kaeding, co-editor, TEPSA Book “Climate Change and the Future of Europe: Views from the Capitals”.

“Climate Change and the Future of Europe: Views from the Capitals” is edited by Michael Kaeding, Johannes Pollak and Paul Schmidt, and published by Springer. While the ambitious objectives outlined in the EU’s Green Deal aim at making Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, national implementation greatly varies depending on local geographies, history, culture, economics, and politics. This book analyses Member States’ and EU neighbours’ national efforts to combat climate change. It subsequently draws on these factors to highlight local challenges, tensions, and opportunities on the road towards climate neutrality. In the context of inter-country dependencies following Russia’s war against Ukraine, it addresses strategic questions regarding EU integration, the transformation of our economies, the reduction of energy dependencies, and public perception of the above. The book also makes concrete recommendations, in various policy areas, on how individual countries and the EU as a whole should deal with the climate crisis.