Sara Aagesen is now officially third vice president of the Government and Minister of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge. The until now Secretary of State for Energy takes over from Teresa Ribera and establishes herself as “one of the greatest experts in energy transition” in Spain, as defined by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, in his speech this morning. “I believe in working from science, I believe in technical knowledge and I believe in public service for citizens,” Aagesen declared from the ministry that he will lead starting this Monday.
The new minister has promised her position at the Zarzuela Palace, in a solemn ceremony that marks the beginning of a new stage in the Government, after the departure of Teresa Ribera to Brussels. He accompanied his appointment, already published in the Official State Gazette, with a speech in which he outlined the priorities of his mandate: raising awareness among society and economic actors of the dangers that Spain faces in the face of the climate crisis and of the value of science, adapt the territory to the new reality and improve protection systems as a public service, and “continue working to stop fueling” this climate emergency.
Aagesen has defended the most optimistic side of ecology and has offered himself as the new engine with which to promote a period of progress in the protection of the environment and biodiversity. It aims, he assured, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, achieve climate neutrality, and continue supporting the energy transition that, he affirms, “is working in this country.” “We must adapt our society and our economy to the impacts of the climate emergency,” he warned.
“A ministry is much more than a declaration of intentions,” he expressed after thanking the President of the Executive for his trust and the work of his predecessor in charge of the portfolio. “It is guaranteeing environmental results, social results and economic results.”
The new vice president has emphasized the urgency of acting in the face of the climate crisis. “Perhaps it is time to remember that Spain is a particularly vulnerable country within Europe,” he warned. “We must respect scientific entities because they protect us. That science that knows what we have to face and how to address it. We must adapt to this new reality, protecting the now and also the future.”
The minister has also defended the Spanish leadership position in the ecological transition, and has described the Spanish economy as a “reference” in the matter. “We are the first European country in protected natural area: 18 million terrestrial hectares and 13 million marine hectares with protection figures. We treasure such unique resources as emblematic ecosystems, forests, wetlands, coasts,” he detailed. The figures, he insisted, reflect the progress achieved in recent years: a 50% reduction in polluting emissions thanks to the closure of coal plants, the rise of renewable energies – photovoltaic and wind – and a 1,000% growth in the energy self-consumption. “A transition that has been made fair and inclusive, not like leitmotif alone, but much more so as not to leave anyone behind.”
“It is possible to grow, reinforce social justice, reduce gas emissions and reindustrialize our country”
“With all humility, but also with a lot of conviction, I believe that the energy transition agenda is an agenda of opportunity. We have all the pieces: the sun, the wind, the companies, the talent. We have a convinced society, we have policies, we have unions, civil society, NGOs. It has to be a successful result,” he insisted. “It is possible to grow, reinforce social justice, reduce gas emissions and reindustrialize our country.”
Aagesen was appointed Secretary of State for Energy in 2020. She has accompanied Teresa Ribera, until today the head of the ministry, for much of her career. For her he has only dedicated praise and words of gratitude. “I am privileged, privileged to be able to work with all of you,” she expressed to the staff of the Ministry of Ecological Transition to vindicate the successes achieved during the mandate of her predecessor.
“He has courage, leadership, courage (…) He has led the greatest transformation of the country and has achieved unattainable milestones,” he stated. “My dear Teresa, thank you. Thank you for the opportunity you gave me a long time ago, thank you for having been able to work with you all these years. “I will never, never, never be able to forget your support, your trust and what you have transmitted to me.”
Source: www.eldiario.es
