European Commission Daily News – 2 April
The Juncker Plan supports renewable energy solutions in Slovenia
The Investment Plan for Europe – the Juncker Plan – is supporting a €6 million European Investment Bank (EIB) loan to energy services provider Resalta. The financing, backed by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the heart of the Juncker Plan, will help Resalta, a promising start-up, grow into a major provider of independent energy services and renewable energy solutions, contributing towards an energy efficient Europe. Resalta has already developed and implemented solutions saving 300GWH of electric energy and reducing CO2 emissions by 30,000 tons a year – equal to planting 3,400 ha of forest. Commissioner for Climate action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete said: “The Juncker Plan is helping us reach our EU-wide goals of clean energy use. Today, the Juncker Plan is supporting Resalta, a Slovenian start-up, to grow, innovate and develop renewable energy solutions. I congratulate Resalta for seizing this opportunity and I hope more innovative companies will follow suit.” A press release is available here. As of March 2019, the Juncker Plan has mobilised €390 billion of additional investments, including €941 million in Slovenia, and supported 929,000 enterprises across Europe. (For more information: Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229 56153; Sophie Dupin de Saint-Cyr – Tel.: +32 229 56169)
Global Report on Food Crises: acute hunger still affecting over 100 million people worldwide
A report presented today jointly by the European Union, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations and the UN World Food Programme finds that around 113 million people in 53 countries experienced acute food insecurity in 2018, compared to 124 million in 2017. Neven Mimica, Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, said: “Food insecurity remains a global challenge. That’s why, from 2014 to 2020, the EU will have provided nearly €9 billion for initiatives on food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture in over 60 countries. Today’s Global Report highlights the need for a strengthened cooperation between humanitarian, development and peace actors to reverse and prevent food crises. A stronger Global Network can help deliver change on the ground for the people who really need it.” Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, added: “[…] The EU continues to step up its humanitarian efforts. Over the last three years, the EU allocated the biggest humanitarian food and nutrition assistance budget ever, with nearly €2 billion overall. Food crises are becoming more acute and complex and we need innovative ways to tackle and prevent them from happening. […]” The report’s findings are a powerful call for strengthened cooperation to link together prevention, preparedness and response to address urgent humanitarian needs and root causes. Find out more about the key findings of the report in the joint press release. The launch of the report is followed by a press conference taking place at 12:00 and which will be broadcast on EbS. (For more information: Carlos Martin Ruiz De Gordejuela – Tel.: +32 229 65322; Christina Wunder – Tel.: +32 229 92256)
Read the European Commission – Daily News in full here
