In an opinion adopted in January 2022, the EESC welcomes the European Commission's objective of clarifying and updating the existing EU framework and of structuring European taxation in a way that favours sustainable non-fossil energy.

The EESC is concerned, however, at the possible negative socio-economic impact of some of the measures found in the European Commission's Proposal for a Directive.

"We call for a more flexible attitude on admissible biofuels and their taxation" says rapporteur Stefan Back.

The Committee also recommends using the concept of "energy poverty", rather than "vulnerable households", calls for environmental taxes to be returned to the people most heavily affected, and believes in adjusting the EU pricing system to reflect the price of all forms of energy.

"The EESC also regrets that proper measures to avoid mobility poverty are not included in the proposal" adds co-rapporteur Philippe Charry. (tk)