Published: Fri, 15 July 2022
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Seán Kelly MEP (Ireland South) has been awarded the 2022 Energy Solutions Award. Mr Kelly received the accolade in recognition of his work to support sustainable decarbonisation through policy work in the European Parliament. The Fine Gael MEP received the honour alongside a Finnish Green MEP, Ville Niinistö.
“I was delighted to receive this important award in recognition of my efforts to support sustainable decarbonisation through my policy work here in the European Parliament,” MEP Kelly said after the awards ceremony in the parliament this week.
Mr Kelly has been involved in a number of key policy areas as part of my role in the Industry, Research and Energy Committee in the Parliament, including the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Renewable Energy Directive.
“I am currently lead author for my group, the EPP, of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD). The EPBD is a cornerstone of the European Green Deal, and the EU’s Renovation Wave. In my role as Shadow Rapporteur, I am working to ensure that European buildings are prepared for a greener and more digital society”, he said.
“The EU plans to renovate up to 35 million buildings by 2030, which will create jobs and opportunities for young people across Europe. Retrofitting homes and businesses will be one of the most crucial steps to ensure that we meet our ambitious climate targets. If we are to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, it is vital that we focus on the energy efficiency of our building stock now.
“This award acknowledges all that has been achieved in the area of energy so far, but there is much still to be done. Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and the current uncertainty for consumers and price fluctuations on the European energy market have amplified calls for a sustainable energy transition to be achieved as soon as possible. I hope that the continued work of my colleagues and I in this critical policy area will put Europe on a sound footing for the achievement of our climate goals in the years to come,” Kelly concluded.
The award also includes a donation to Sustainable Energy for All – an international organisation works in partnership with the United Nations to support the transition to clean energy across the globe.
