BRUSSELS, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- The European Union kicks off its third annual Sustainable Energy Week as the regional energy sector receives renewed attention, the EU energy commissioner said.
A January row between Russia and Ukraine disrupted the flow of natural gas to European markets for weeks. The dispute put a diversification strategy for Europe at the top of the regional agenda.
European Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs writes on his Web site that energy diversity goes beyond expanding the regional natural gas pipeline network to embrace alternative energy strategies and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
"I strongly believe that this commitment by EU's cities to cut CO2 emissions and energy consumption is indicative of the consensus that is emerging at the local level to reduce pollution and improve efficiency," he writes.
The commissioner calls on Europe to pave the way to address the issues stemming from climate change, dependency and energy consumption.
"We have to be ready to make bold decisions today in order to achieve progress tomorrow," writes Piebalgs.
