Fires that affected Mediterranean countries, floods in the northern part of Europe, and extremely high temperatures recorded in recent months show that we need to do more in our fight against climate change, MEP Josianne Cutajar said.
"However this should not result in the creation of new social inequalities."
She delivered her intervention at the European Parliament's plenary in Strasbourg regarding the 'Fit for 55', an environmental package that is being pushed forward by the European Union.
The Maltese MEP reiterated that European social rights are very close to her heart and that the EU should not abandon its most vulnerable citizens, "who are already finding it difficult to get by with their electricity and water bills. Let us not widen the inequality between urban, rural and periphery areas of our Union: that is those areas whose connectivity is already a challenge" said Cutajar.
She said that the green transition will not be easy, "but we must ensure that it is fair. It is only with strong public consensus that we can succeed in this respect."
In comments following her intervention, Cutajar also referred to the statements by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen who welcomed Malta's recovery plan which is one of the strongest from an environmental point of view, dedicating more than 50% of the total allocation to measures that support climate objectives.