At the initiative of Richard Adams the EESC has devised an ambitious plan to facilitate public participation in the energy policy field, in the form of a European Energy Dialogue. This plan is meant to enable all stakeholders to understand energy challenges and the related trade-offs, take individual action and contribute to energy policy choices whilst taking account of the bigger picture of pan-EU challenges and possible solutions.

The underlying realisation is that a robust EU energy policy, especially the transition to a low-carbon energy system, requires the understanding, support and active participation of European citizens, as much will depend on them and the choices ahead need to be endorsed by the people. It is therefore essential to involve people at different governance levels while encouraging a consistent common energy policy. The EESC supports the organisation of continuous interactions in the member states and in this spirit it contributed to the French national debate on the energy transition with a high-level conference co-organised with Notre Europe – Jacques Delors Institute. A joint declaration was then signed by EESC President Henri Malosse and Jacques Delors and forwarded to the EU institutions.

The EESC's position in favour of stronger citizen participation in energy issues is being increasingly acknowledged among policy-makers and stakeholders. The PSG EEC is currently working at implementing in cooperation with EU and national policy-makers and stakeholders the different forms that the EED could take.

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European Energy Dialogue