Meeting in Split, Croatia, the MED9 group of Mediterranean EU member states has set out its development goals for the coming years. Alongside security and migration, the Split Declaration also addresses how to secure affordable energy supplies and respond to mounting climate and resource pressures. This year in particular, the region has felt the effects of climate change acutely.
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In their declaration, the heads of state and government describe the Mediterranean as a climate hotspot, increasingly exposed to extreme heat, drought, water scarcity, wildfires, flooding, desertification and growing pressure on terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems. With climate resilience more urgent than ever, they plan to accelerate the energy transition and cut CO₂ emissions across all sectors.
Vulnerability of fossil fuel supplies laid bare
The switch to renewable energy is also intended to safeguard affordable energy supply. Russia’s war against Ukraine, together with the conflict between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other, has clearly exposed the vulnerability of fossil fuel supplies, leading to shortages and price rises. “The European Union should also reduce its critical dependence on fossil fuel imports by expanding clean energy sources and electrification, diversifying energy sources and supply routes, promoting the development of domestic energy resources, strengthening energy infrastructure and improving resilience to supply and price shocks,” the MED9 leaders write in their declaration.
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A broader low-carbon mix
In concrete terms, they call for faster electrification, more low-carbon power generation, including nuclear and renewables, and more storage capacity. “The energy transition represents a structural approach to reducing energy dependencies and limiting the impact of domestic and international geopolitical crises on energy prices,” the Split Declaration states. The heads of state and government also highlight the Trans-Mediterranean Initiative for Clean Technologies (T-MED) under the Mediterranean Pact, which they want implemented in a way that benefits businesses and the renewable energy sector in the EU and its partner countries.
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Nine signatures, no deadlines
In doing so, the Mediterranean countries are reinforcing the European energy transition and acknowledging that dependence on fossil fuel imports has become a liability. The transition must now be delivered. The Split Declaration was signed by the heads of state and government of France, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Cyprus, together with Spain’s state secretary for the European Union. The declaration is available on the Croatian government’s website. (su)
