The written declaration, which advocates a post-fossil fuel, decentralised energy model based on renewable energy sources, provides a clear message that the current debate about the EU’s future energy regime should not be reserved for producers and suppliers only. ESBA welcomes the innovative strategy, which instead envisages the full participation of “demand side” actors. This will facilitate the provision of future energy solutions by EU SMEs, including energy supply and network maintenance, with significant economic, environmental and social benefits for Europe and beyond.

“We are entering a new and necessary period of experimentation and innovation to give the EU the best possible energy regime capable of combating global warming, while ensuring growth and competitiveness,” commented Fred Soudain, ESBA’s Senior Brussels Representative. “European Regions, Cities, SMEs and Civil Society Organisations can play a leading role in speeding-up the transfer from a carbon based, centralised energy regime to a carbon free, decentralised energy model,” he continued.

ESBA joined forces with the representatives of the Regions, Cities, and Civil Society Organisations to urge MEPs to sign the Written Declaration. 

Reflecting on the campaign’s success, Fred Soudain added: “Renewable energy sources, for example from the sun, wind and biomass, are ubiquitous and can potentially far exceed our needs. We now need political courage and entrepreneurship from across Europe to enter much more rapidly into an economically, environmentally and socially beneficial third industrial revolution.”

In order to further discuss the EU’s energy vision and the potential for SMEs to participate in it, ESBA’s 10thnnual Small Business Event on 7th June 2007 in Brussels will ask the question: “SMEs and the Future EU Energy Regime: Why should EU Leaders Think Small First?” A Save the Date Invitation and registration details for the high-level conference, which will brings together EU Leaders, Innovative Energy Thinkers and Small Businesses Entrepreneurs for the first time, is available here.

The European Small Business Alliance is a non-party political European group, which cares for small business entrepreneurs and the self-employed and represents them through targeted EU advocacy activities. ESBA also works towards the development of strong independent advocacy and benefits groups in European countries. Today, ESBA is one of the largest organisations based on voluntary membership in Europe. Through its direct membership, associate membership and cooperation agreements, ESBA represents almost one million small businesses and covers 35 European countries.