{"id":439497,"date":"2026-04-14T09:06:32","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T16:06:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=439497"},"modified":"2026-04-22T15:05:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T22:05:35","slug":"von-der-leyen-uses-iran-war-energy-shock-to-double-down-on-eu-decarbonization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatescience.press\/?p=439497","title":{"rendered":"Von der Leyen Uses Iran War Energy Shock to Double Down on EU Decarbonization"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In a press conference following an emergency European Commission meeting, the EU President directly linked the ongoing Iran conflict (which has disrupted oil and gas flows via the Strait of Hormuz) to Europe\u2019s energy costs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

She highlighted a \u20ac22 billion ($25.7 billion) surge in the bloc\u2019s fossil fuel import bills in just 44 days and used the moment to reaffirm the EU\u2019s long-term decarbonization push.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She stated: \u201cWe are paying a very high price for our global dependency on fossil fuels, and the grim reality for our continent is fossil fuel energy will remain the most expensive option in the years to come. Therefore, our strategy to decarbonize has not only been confirmed in the last years, but is growing in importance day by day.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are paying a very high price for our global dependency on fossil fuels, and the grim reality for our continent is fossil fuel energy will remain the most expensive option in the years to come. Therefore, our strategy to decarbonize has not only been confirmed in the last years, but is growing in importance day by day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also pushed for member states to coordinate on energy prices, lower taxes on electricity (to favor it over fossils), accelerate an “electrification strategy,” and use tools like the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to support the shift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also announced:<\/p>\n\n\n\n