The European trade union confederation (ETUC) is all in favour of the creation of an effective European energy community, but the rights and interests of workers in the impacted sectors have to be woven into the plan from the outset.
According to the European commission, the EU buys 53 per cent of its energy from outside the bloc at an annual cost of around €400bn, making it the largest energy importer in the world.
Progress towards the sustainable green economy crucial to Europe's future is being undermined by this dependence on imported energy.
That is why we support measures to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy – not only to improve energy security but also to protect our environment and create the new jobs that the EU desperately needs.
The commission's energy union package envisages "an integrated, continent-wide energy system where energy flows freely across borders", creating a sustainable, low-carbon and climate-friendly economy.
This is an ambitious and much-needed proposal which can bring huge benefits. But beside the winners, there will also be losers. The transition will raise massive challenges for many sectors and regions that are heavily dependent on coal and gas power, and for those countries with energy-intensive industries.
"The lack of access to affordable energy, so-called 'energy poverty' is a leading driver of social inequality. The development of an energy union must address these challenges. Workers must be able to benefit from new job opportunities, and have alternatives when jobs are lost"
The lack of access to affordable energy, so-called 'energy poverty' is a leading driver of social inequality. The development of an energy union must address these challenges. Workers must be able to benefit from new job opportunities, and have alternatives when jobs are lost.
That is why we are insisting on what we call a 'just transition', giving priority to social dialogue, worker participation, quality employment, the right to education, social protection and workers' rights.
This must be a key pillar of Europe's energy policy, taken on board at EU and national level from the start of the planning process, not an optional extra.
A just transition means focusing on quality employment, on updating education programmes, and retraining and up-skilling affected workers. It is also crucial that the just transition principle should be a pillar of the international agreement on climate change, due to be reached in Paris in December.
The commission has pledged to involve trade unions and employers in the energy transition through social dialogue at European level. That is welcome, but the social partners do not have the resources to guarantee a just transition.
That will entail major investment. The commission's new €315bn investment plan identifies energy infrastructure as one of its priorities, but infrastructure is only one aspect of the energy union.
And while recognising the need for 'social measures', the commission gives no details of what these should be or how they should be funded.
"We are calling for a new European energy model that promotes social justice, good jobs and prosperity, while safeguarding the planet. This is an absolute priority for the European trade union movement"
While welcoming the investment plan, we are sceptical about whether its emphasis on private funding is going to deliver the money. Ultimately, we believe that a much more ambitious programme of private and public investment is needed, as set out in our 'New path for Europe' campaign.
A stable regulatory framework that ensures continuity of investment is also necessary. For example, according to recent estimates, for each €1m of public investment in energy efficiency measures, up to 170 jobs can be created in Europe, while total employment in renewable energies and supplying activities could reach more than two million by 2030.
In short, we are calling for a new European energy model that promotes social justice, good jobs and prosperity, while safeguarding the planet. This is an absolute priority for the European trade union movement.