Issued by:
- The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
- Dan Jørgensen, European Commissioner for Energy and Housing
Today Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen and European Commissioner for Energy and Housing Dan Jørgensen discussed their deep concern over the conflict in the Middle East which continues to impact prices, energy supply chains and economic growth. Both reaffirmed the importance of open and rules-based trade and called for all countries to cooperate in ensuring global energy supply chains are kept open, for the benefit of the security and prosperity of all. To that end, they shared perspectives on the longer term importance of accelerating the global clean energy transition and electrification.
Acknowledging the critical importance of energy resilience for both Australia and the EU, they agree today's volatility underscores the importance of energy diversification. The most durable answer to this crisis and future shocks is the build-out of home-grown clean energy at costs that continue to decrease. Home-grown clean energy delivers jobs, investment, economic growth, energy security and reduces emissions.
In this context, the Commissioner and the Minister discussed electrification as one of the most powerful policies available to reduce exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets and improve energy security. To that end, they agreed to work together on a new global initiative on electrification, building on the momentum of the Global Energy Transitions Forum and representing a significant opportunity to rally international action around electrification as a climate, economic and energy security imperative. With Australia serving as President of Negotiations at COP31, and with the Pacific at the centre of Australia's COP31 priorities, both sides see the months ahead as a critical window to translate this ambition into practical global action and investment.
The two sides also discussed the important role that Australia plays in stable and transparent global energy markets by continuing to be a reliable supplier during the energy transition, in particular to the Indo-Pacific region and during the current conflict. In that spirit, the Commissioner and Minister also discussed recent Australian gas security policy developments and agreed the importance of rules-based trade.
