The European Commission on Thursday urged national governments to repurpose up to €20 billion in existing EU funds to tackle the energy crisis.
The executive vice president for cohesion and reforms, Raffaele Fitto, told governments to use the Just Transition Fund (JTF) — a cash pot designed to soften the consequences of the climate transition on regions — to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
“They could help alleviate some of the current challenges, such as how to reduce dependence on fossil fuel and exposure to instability of energy markets, and create at the same time lasting impact for the longer term,” Fitto wrote in a letter to 27 ministers seen by POLITICO.
The letter comes amid mounting pressure from EU countries — led by Italy — on the commission to provide additional support to businesses and households facing higher energy bills resulting from the war in the Middle East.
