greater security from renewable energy

Goa (dpa) – Germany’s Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck used a meeting of G20 energy ministers in Goa to stress the importance of expanding renewable energy. According to the German delegation, Habeck, who is a member of the Green Party, said on Saturday that it was a matter of energy security. Habeck is also reported to have sharply criticised Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Russia is a member of the G20 group of leading industrial and emerging economies. India currently holds the G20 presidency. Russia was represented at the meeting by a head of department from its energy ministry. Russia’s Deputy Energy Minister is reported to have joined the meeting via video link.

Speaking at the G20 meeting, Habeck described how Europe in particular had experienced Russia’s use of energy as “weapon” last year, as gas supplies were restricted and shut off in order to cause gas shortages in Germany and Europe. According to Habeck, this had not succeeded. He stressed that renewables were about much more than just climate protection, but were also a question of energy and economic security.