FRONT PAGE " "
In his pre-informal address to the European Parliament on 26 October, Tony Blair, President-in-Office of the European Council, articulated an opinion that would have been inconceivable only a few years ago, saying: “I believe it is time that we developed within Europe a common European energy policy”. Cooperation in energy policy has traditionally been inter-governmental and confined to the spheres of coal, steel and nuclear power. Blair’s timely observation is based on predictions that Europe is hurtling towards a very real energy crisis. A successful response would be significantly improved if the EU were to coordinate its policies in this area. Between 1970 and 2002 energy consumption by EU member states increased by 40%. Current projections predict that in order to satisfy EU’s growing energy demands, and due to a lack of natural resources, the EU will have to import up to 90% of its oil and gas needs within the next few years. This situation poses major existential questions for the whole of Europe in terms of what kind of energy supplies we need, whether traditional energy resources, renewables or indeed nuclear power. Evidently in all of this, issues of energy security and climate change will be paramount. This looming energy crisis may at the same time provide the EU with an opportunity to counter assertions relating to its competence and relevance to the citizen and to the 21st century. A common energy policy could possibly generate a new sense of community to the European project and constitute a concrete example of the EU’s unique ability to institute a cross-border initiative for the benefit of all. Furthermore it would be the first truly ‘EU-25’ project and would therefore encourage ownership by all member states, making it a truly ‘common’ policy from inception to implementation. Creating a common energy policy would also open the market to increased competition, further consolidate the internal market, while providing citizens with wider choice. Brokering a common EU energy policy would be a prudent step given the vulnerability of the EU’s energy supplies. In order to guarantee energy supplies, the collective bargaining power of 25 member states would be able to achieve substantially more in negotiations with third party actors than if member states act unilaterally or bilaterally. The pooling of existing EU energy resources would also allow for the careful, co-ordinated management of the EU’s remaining energy supplies, and allow for cross-border investment in infrastructure and transport networks. Whilst energy policy is a highly sensitive issue, Europe’s politicians must begin to address it. The Christian theology of creation identifies the need for humanity to take responsibility for the earth, to act as stewards for this generation and the next. As such, it calls for imaginative, creative and collective efforts. In this regard, Christian citizens need to recognize that this is one of the major fields of the future and that they are called upon to foster a creative public discourse on this issue in order to provide a basis for courageous stewardship and leadership on the part of politicians.
