R16: ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE: Towards a truly interconnected and sustainable energy market

Despite this, however, the current energy markets in Europe are still very regionalized. In part, this is due to a lack of energy infrastructure connecting Member States. Improving the interconnectivity of the energy market has several benefits: improved security supply, increased efficiency and increased competitiveness. This aligns well with the energy strategy that EU has stated previously, which is based on the pillars of securing an expanding supply of energy from both domestic and foreign sources, developing a more competitive internal energy market, and encouraging and supporting environmental protection and development of clean and renewable energy sources. Additionally, the new energy market of the EU is expected to encourage diversification and flexibility to react to market conditions across the countries. It also provides a more powerful bargaining position for European energy companies when sourcing energy in global markets, since there is a larger range of options available with regard to supply routes and there is better access to customers.

However, there are still many contradictions within EU energy policies and fossil fuels phase out is being blocked by the Energy Charter Treaty. This allows energy corporations to put forward compensation claims to states if the former deem their investments and expected profits have been damaged by policy changes. This has led to climate friendly policies becoming a financial risk for all states as big fossil fuel companies are currently suing European states for fossil fuel phase outs and demand several billion euros.

It should be noted that this resolution focuses on energy independence, and does not directly address energy poverty, since a resolution about this was accepted during the 2020 General Assembly. Although there is not one common definition of energy poverty between Member States, it is generally described as a situation in which households are unable to access essential energy services. Since energy poverty is usually experienced or measured at the household level, it is not directly addressed in this resolution. However, stronger and better-connected energy infrastructure can go a long way in reducing energy poverty.The current situation does not only imply the EU is financing authoritarian regimes as well as the Russian war against Ukraine, but it is also allowing Energy Companies to attain huge profits at the expense of consumers. Energy prices are rising exponentially, while fossil fuel companies are making record profits. Governments spend millions of tax money on subsidizing them. At the same time, the increasing inflation makes basic needs a luxury, while wages are drastically losing value. At this moment, many people cannot pay for their basic needs, don’t know how to pay their energy bills and homelessness is on the rise.

The economic system is deeply rotten, providing more and more money for the richest companies that massively destroy our planet and human lives, while the majority of peoples‘ living situations become more precarious than ever and energy poverty spiking dramatically among countries. Although there is not one common definition of energy poverty between Member States, it is generally described as a situation in which households are unable to access essential energy services. This can only be tackled by a drastic revolution of our energy system. Only by phasing out fossil fuels by 2030 and massively increasing subsidies, jobs and resources in renewable energies, the earth overheating can be limited, while at the same time ensuring a democratization of the energy system and the European independence from authoritarian regimes that are a serious threat to human lives and human rights. Moreover, stronger and better-connected energy infrastructure can go a long way in reducing energy poverty.

It should be noted that this resolution focuses on energy independence, and does not directly address energy poverty, since a resolution about this was accepted during the 2020 General Assembly. Although there is not one common definition of energy poverty between Member States, it is generally described as a situation in which households are unable to access essential energy services. Since energy poverty is usually experienced or measured at the household level, it is not directly addressed in this resolution. However, stronger and better-connected energy infrastructure can go a long way in reducing energy poverty.

This can only be tackled by a drastic revolution of our energy system. We need comprehensive European-wide reform of our energy policy - one that intersectionally addresses both the energy transition and energy poverty - via sweeping phase-outs of fossil fuel by 2030, the stopping of subsidies, and comprehensive environmental taxes, complemented by pioneering action to revolutionise and connect the European energy grid, redirect subsidies and funding to renewable energies, limit and stabilise prices, and ensure all households have access to affordable energy. Unprecedented times call for unprecedented action, only in so doing can the earth overheating be limited, while at the same time ensuring a democratisation of the energy system - one that is coordinated, green, interconnected and based on solidarity; that is independent from authoritarian regimes that are a serious threat to human lives and human rights; and that ensures the right to energy is a right for all.

1. Develop a legislative and policy framework to create a more interconnected European energy market to assist and support the energy transition towards renewable sources, with the aim of further improving storage and transfer capacity and reducing costs and therefore prices in order to achieve energy independence, by:
   1. Granting the European Parliament, Commission and Council the legislative authority to regulate the energy market and energy infrastructure supranationally through EU legislation;
   2. Initiating the grounds for legislation to regulate the international European energy market and improve supranational connection between energy markets of Member States, for example by establishing an independent body to compile and assess the current bilateral energy trade agreements between Member States and third countries, and to assess the deficits and strengths in the energy infrastructure of each Member State;

1. Develop a legislative and policy framework to create a more interconnected European energy market to assist and support the energy transition towards renewable sources, with the aim of further improving storage and transfer capacity and reducing costs and therefore prices in order to achieve energy independence, by:
   1. Granting the European Parliament, Commission and Council the legislative authority to regulate the energy market and energy infrastructure supranationally through EU legislation;
   2. Initiating the grounds for legislation to regulate the international European energy market and improve supranational connection between energy markets of Member States, for example by establishing an independent body to compile and assess the current bilateral energy trade agreements between Member States and third countries, and to assess the deficits and strengths in the energy infrastructure of each Member State;

1. Develop a legislative and policy framework to create a more interconnected European energy market to assist and support the energy transition towards renewable sources, with the aim of further improving storage and transfer capacity and reducing costs and therefore prices in order to achieve energy independence, by:
   1. Granting the European Parliament, Commission and Council the legislative authority to regulate the energy market and energy infrastructure supranationally through EU legislation;
   2. Initiating the grounds for legislation to regulate the international European energy market and improve supranational connection between energy markets of Member States, for example by establishing an independent body to compile and assess the current bilateral energy trade agreements between Member States and third countries, and to assess the deficits and strengths in the energy infrastructure of each Member State;

1. Develop a legislative and policy framework to create a more interconnected European energy market to assist and support the energy transition towards renewable sources, with the aim of further improving storage and transfer capacity and reducing costs and therefore prices in order to achieve energy independence, by:
   1. Granting the European Parliament, Commission and Council the legislative authority to regulate the energy market and energy infrastructure supranationally through EU legislation;
   2. Initiating the grounds for legislation to regulate the international European energy market and improve supranational connection between energy markets of Member States, for example by establishing an independent body to compile and assess the current bilateral energy trade agreements between Member States and third countries, and to assess the deficits and strengths in the energy infrastructure of each Member State;

1. Develop a legislative and policy framework to create a more interconnected European energy market to assist and support the energy transition towards renewable sources, with the aim of further improving storage and transfer capacity and reducing costs and therefore prices in order to achieve energy independence, by:
   1. Granting the European Parliament, Commission and Council the legislative authority to regulate the energy market and energy infrastructure supranationally through EU legislation;
   2. Initiating the grounds for legislation to regulate the international European energy market and improve supranational connection between energy markets of Member States, for example by establishing an independent body to compile and assess the current bilateral energy trade agreements between Member States and third countries, and to assess the deficits and strengths in the energy infrastructure of each Member State;

1. Develop a legislative and policy framework to create a more interconnected European energy market to assist and support the energy transition towards renewable sources, with the aim of further improving storage and transfer capacity and reducing costs and therefore prices in order to achieve energy independence, by:
   1. Granting the European Parliament, Commission and Council the legislative authority to regulate the energy market and energy infrastructure supranationally through EU legislation;
   2. Initiating the grounds for legislation to regulate the international European energy market and improve supranational connection between energy markets of Member States, for example by establishing an independent body to compile and assess the current bilateral energy trade agreements between Member States and third countries, and to assess the deficits and strengths in the energy infrastructure of each Member State;

1. Develop a legislative and policy framework to create a more interconnected European energy market to assist and support the energy transition towards renewable sources, with the aim of further improving storage and transfer capacity and reducing costs and therefore prices in order to achieve energy independence, by:
   1. Granting the European Parliament, Commission and Council the legislative authority to regulate the energy market and energy infrastructure supranationally through EU legislation;
   2. Initiating the grounds for legislation to regulate the international European energy market and improve supranational connection between energy markets of Member States, for example by establishing an independent body to compile and assess the current bilateral energy trade agreements between Member States and third countries, and to assess the deficits and strengths in the energy infrastructure of each Member State;
   3. Enshrining the right to energy within the European Charter of Human Rights and in European energy law.

1. Develop a legislative and policy framework to create a more interconnected European energy market to assist and support the energy transition towards renewable sources, with the aim of further improving storage and transfer capacity and reducing costs and therefore prices in order to achieve energy independence, by:
   1. Granting the European Parliament, Commission and Council the legislative authority to regulate the energy market and energy infrastructure supranationally through EU legislation;
   2. Initiating the grounds for legislation to regulate the international European energy market and improve supranational connection between energy markets of Member States, for example by establishing an independent body to compile and assess the current bilateral energy trade agreements between Member States and third countries, and to assess the deficits and strengths in the energy infrastructure of each Member State;
   3. Pulling out of the Energy Charter Treaty as soon as possible and stopping its further expansion

1. Develop a legislative and policy framework to create a more interconnected European energy market to assist and support the energy transition towards renewable sources, with the aim of further improving storage and transfer capacity and reducing costs and therefore prices in order to achieve energy independence, by:
   1. Granting the European Parliament, Commission and Council the legislative authority to regulate the energy market and energy infrastructure supranationally through EU legislation;
   2. Initiating the grounds for legislation to regulate the international European energy market and improve supranational connection between energy markets of Member States, for example by establishing an independent body to compile and assess the current bilateral energy trade agreements between Member States and third countries, and to assess the deficits and strengths in the energy infrastructure of each Member State;

2. Based on this framework, to implement and develop an interconnected and improved energy infrastructure in Europe, as achieving this is an essential step to ensure a functional and efficient European energy market, as well as a necessity for more sustainable energy supply, by:
   1. Investing in and facilitating the building of more energy infrastructure in and between Member States with significant infrastructure deficits to enable improved storage and sharing of energy, such as but not limited to flexible power grids, better demand-response technology, electric vehicle charging, and energy storage;
   2. Investing in improving energy infrastructure where it already exists;
   3. Implementing the connection of energy infrastructure across Member States in order to facilitate the creation of a European energy network;
   4. Investing in and stimulating research on sustainable technologies such as, but not limited to, energy reduction, energy storage and energy production;
   5. Offering targeted assistance and investment support to ensure energy infrastructure has similar quality across Member States.

2. Based on this framework, to implement and develop an interconnected and improved energy infrastructure in Europe, as achieving this is an essential step to ensure a functional and efficient European energy market, as well as a necessity for more sustainable energy supply, by:
   1. Investing in and facilitating the building of more energy infrastructure in and between Member States with significant infrastructure deficits to enable improved storage and sharing of energy, such as but not limited to flexible power grids, better demand-response technology, electric vehicle charging, and energy storage;
   2. Investing in improving energy infrastructure where it already exists;
   3. Implementing the connection of energy infrastructure across Member States in order to facilitate the creation of a European energy network;
   4. Investing in and stimulating research on sustainable technologies such as, but not limited to, energy reduction, energy storage and energy production;
   5. Offering targeted assistance and investment support to ensure energy infrastructure has similar quality across Member States.

2. Based on this framework, to implement and develop an interconnected and improved energy infrastructure in Europe, as achieving this is an essential step to ensure a functional and efficient European energy market, as well as a necessity for more sustainable energy supply, by:
   1. Investing in and facilitating the building of more energy infrastructure in and between Member States with significant infrastructure deficits to enable improved storage and sharing of energy, such as but not limited to flexible power grids, better demand-response technology, electric vehicle charging, and energy storage;
   2. Investing in improving energy infrastructure where it already exists;
   3. Implementing the connection of energy infrastructure across Member States in order to facilitate the creation of a European energy network;
   4. Investing in and stimulating research on sustainable technologies such as, but not limited to, energy reduction, energy storage and energy production;
   5. Offering targeted assistance and investment support to ensure energy infrastructure has similar quality across Member States.

2. Based on this framework, to implement and develop an interconnected and improved energy infrastructure in Europe, as achieving this is an essential step to ensure a functional and efficient European energy market, as well as a necessity for more sustainable energy supply, by:
   1. Investing in and facilitating the building of more energy infrastructure in and between Member States with significant infrastructure deficits to enable improved storage and sharing of energy, such as but not limited to flexible power grids, better demand-response technology, electric vehicle charging, and energy storage;
   2. Investing in improving energy infrastructure where it already exists;
   3. Implementing the connection of energy infrastructure across Member States in order to facilitate the creation of a European energy network;
   4. Investing in and stimulating research on sustainable technologies such as, but not limited to, energy reduction, energy storage and energy production;
   5. Offering targeted assistance and investment support to ensure energy infrastructure has similar quality across Member States.

2. Based on this framework, to implement and develop an interconnected and improved energy infrastructure in Europe, as achieving this is an essential step to ensure a functional and efficient European energy market, as well as a necessity for more sustainable energy supply, by:
   1. Investing in and facilitating the building of more energy infrastructure in and between Member States with significant infrastructure deficits to enable improved storage and sharing of energy, such as but not limited to flexible power grids, better demand-response technology, electric vehicle charging, and energy storage;
   2. Investing in improving energy infrastructure where it already exists;
   3. Implementing the connection of energy infrastructure across Member States in order to facilitate the creation of a European energy network;
   4. Investing in and stimulating research on sustainable technologies such as, but not limited to, energy reduction, energy storage and energy production;
   5. Offering targeted assistance and investment support to ensure energy infrastructure has similar quality across Member States.

2. Based on this framework, to implement and develop an interconnected and improved energy infrastructure in Europe, as achieving this is an essential step to ensure a functional and efficient European energy market, as well as a necessity for more sustainable energy supply, by:
   1. Investing in and facilitating the building of more energy infrastructure in and between Member States with significant infrastructure deficits to enable improved storage and sharing of energy, such as but not limited to flexible power grids, better demand-response technology, electric vehicle charging, and energy storage;
   2. Investing in improving energy infrastructure where it already exists;
   3. Implementing the connection of energy infrastructure across Member States in order to facilitate the creation of a European energy network;
   4. Investing in and stimulating research on sustainable technologies such as, but not limited to, energy reduction, energy storage and energy production;
   5. Offering targeted assistance and investment support to ensure energy infrastructure has similar quality across Member States.

2. Based on this framework, to implement and develop an interconnected and improved energy infrastructure in Europe, as achieving this is an essential step to ensure a functional and efficient European energy market, as well as a necessity for more sustainable energy supply, by:
   1. Investing in and facilitating the building of more energy infrastructure in and between Member States with significant infrastructure deficits to enable improved storage and sharing of energy, such as but not limited to flexible power grids, better demand-response technology, electric vehicle charging, and energy storage;
   2. Investing in improving energy infrastructure where it already exists;
   3. Implementing the connection of energy infrastructure across Member States in order to facilitate the creation of a European energy network;
   4. Investing in and stimulating research on sustainable technologies such as, but not limited to, energy reduction, energy storage and energy production;
   5. Offering targeted assistance and investment support to ensure energy infrastructure has similar quality across Member States.

2. Based on this framework, to implement and develop an interconnected and improved energy infrastructure in Europe, as achieving this is an essential step to ensure a functional and efficient European energy market, as well as a necessity for more sustainable energy supply, by:
   1. Investing in and facilitating the building of more energy infrastructure in and between Member States with significant infrastructure deficits to enable improved storage and sharing of energy, such as but not limited to flexible power grids, better demand-response technology, electric vehicle charging, and energy storage;
   2. Investing in improving energy infrastructure where it already exists;
   3. Implementing the connection of energy infrastructure across Member States in order to facilitate the creation of a European energy network;
   4. Investing in and stimulating research on sustainable technologies such as, but not limited to, energy reduction, energy storage and energy production;
   5. Offering targeted assistance and investment support to ensure energy infrastructure has similar quality across Member States.

2. Based on this framework, to implement and develop an interconnected and improved energy infrastructure in Europe, as achieving this is an essential step to ensure a functional and efficient European energy market, as well as a necessity for more sustainable energy supply, by:
   1. Investing in and facilitating the building of more energy infrastructure in and between Member States with significant infrastructure deficits to enable improved storage and sharing of energy, such as but not limited to flexible power grids, better demand-response technology, electric vehicle charging, and energy storage;
   2. Investing in improving energy infrastructure where it already exists;
   3. Implementing the connection of energy infrastructure across Member States in order to facilitate the creation of a European energy network;
   4. Investing in and stimulating research on sustainable technologies such as, but not limited to, energy reduction, energy storage and energy production;
   5. Offering targeted assistance and investment support to ensure energy infrastructure has similar quality across Member States.

3. Based on this framework, to implement and develop a Europe-wide energy strategy for a transition to a green and just energy system policy that addresses energy poverty by:
   1. Developing just transition plans which rapidly phase out fossil fuel usage while minimising the socio-economic disruptions to workers and communities;
   2. Ensuring that all people, especially those with lower income, have access to energy by implementing effective measures that keep energy prices affordable as well as energy supply sufficient, such as a moratorium on energy bills until energy supply and inflation rates are stabilised, a cap on energy prices, and comprehensive storage and connection infrastructure as proposed above;
   3. Redirecting all fossil fuel subsidies into renewable energy projects on state as well as consumer-level, while ensuring that this is complemented by measures that guarantee access to energy, especially of low income households, such as those proposed in 3.2;
   4. Implementing Europe-wide taxes. Firstly, increased taxes specifically on fossil fuel companies as well as a windfall tax and caps on their profits. Secondly, more broadly, a carbon tax on corporations throughout Europe for their emissions within and outside Europe. The resulting funds should be directed to measures addressing energy poverty, energy infrastructure and the energy transition.

With regards to the violation of human rights by the governments of nations such as, but not limited to, the Russian Federation, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, FYEG calls on the EU and the governments of Member States to:

3. Henceforth ensure that any future energy trade agreement is contingent to a set of minimal standards including but not limited to respect of human rights and rule of law wherein:
   1. Nations that breach the most egregious violations of human rights will no longer be considered as viable options to import energy from, whereas
   2. Nations that fall short of meeting the minimal standards yet abiding by a commitment to improve their respect for, among others, human rights and rule of law will be considered, and
   3. The assessment of the fulfilment of said criteria will be conducted by an independent body.