Europe to become climate neutral
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Environment Committee supports the European Commission’s plan/ Dispute over 2030 targets
The European Union is to become climate neutral. A large majority of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee supported this vision, which the European Commission presented last November. By 2050, forests or modern technologies that extract CO2 from the atmosphere will offset all remaining greenhouse gases emitted in Europe.
The environmental policy spokesperson of the largest political Group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats) Dr Peter Liese supported the decision: “The European Commission has shown that the ambitious vision is possible without harming the economy or jobs. We can even generate additional jobs and economic growth. It is now important that the Council of the heads of state and government also adopt the plan at its summit on the future of Europe in Sibiu, Romania, in May”.
Europe's Vision: Climate neutral by 2050
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Commission shows that climate protection and job security are not mutually exclusive / positive effects for economy expected / now we have to increase pressure on other countries and regions of the world
“Whoever has visions should go to the doctor”, said former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt (SPD). "But I think it is good if the European Union has visions and the advantage of this vision is that the European Commission not only sets out a goal, but also very specifically sets out how this goal can be achieved without losing jobs and even with additional growth." This was explained by the environmental policy spokesperson of the largest political Group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats) Dr Peter Liese on the presentation of the European Commission's strategy for a climate-neutral Europe in 2050. "The extremely dry and hot summer, as well as the scientists' report, show that we must act. At the same time, however, it is important to bring also people on board who work in coal and energy-intensive industry. Only if we reconcile economic growth, job security and climate protection, the rest of the world will follow us. The European Commission has put forward some good proposals in this regard. I am sure that we will support the strategy in the European Parliament with a large majority. Now, is the time to convince other countries and regions of the world. The commitments made so far by the Parties only limit global warming to around 3°C degree. However, we must achieve at least 2°C. Europe must do more to achieve this, but even if we stopped emitting immediately, it would not help the climate decisively. We must therefore step up our efforts and dialogue with other countries such as China", concluded Liese.
Interview about the work of Dr Peter Liese in the European Parliament
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Alexander Louvet of Powershoots TV interviewed Peter Liese, environmental policy spokesperson of the largest political Group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats). Important topics were cancer, single-use plastic and the future of Europe. Among other things, Peter Liese explained how he successfully supported a measure that implements the use of thermostatic valves all over Europe.
Peter Lieses wish for the future: 1. Strong proeuropean majority in the European Parliaments next term. 2. Nobody should die of cancer in 20 years. Watch the video to find out how this shall be achieved
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSpgnzzoros
Commission wants to focus European research more on society's needs
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We need a mission to fight cancer
The European Commission wants to direct research funding in Europe more towards the needs of society in the future. To this end, there should not only be technical headings for the respective research areas, but also so-called missions, i.e. social objectives that can be achieved with European research funding. When presenting the programme, Research Commissioner Moedas mentioned, among other things, the fight against cancer and the fight for plastic-free oceans. "I expressly welcome the idea of the European Commission", said Peter Liese, spokesman of the biggest parliamentarian Group (EPP Christian Democrats) for Environment, Health and Food Safety. "We must bring research policy closer to the people and the definition of such missions can help at that. The examples Moedas gave are just the right ones. For my group, the fight against cancer in particular is a top priority. We recently adopted a paper in which we commit ourselves to do everything in our power to ensure that no one will die of cancer in 20 years' time. European research funding is essential for this. Only if the best brains work together we can defeat this terrible disease. In certain areas, for example in the fight against cancer in children, it is not possible to achieve this goal through national efforts alone," said the doctor and Member of the European Parliament.
Christian Ehler, lead draftsmen for Horizon Europe added: "Defining missions, including fight cancer, is a clear step forward for Europe and its citizens. However, a bigger budget is essential if we want our missions to have a clear societal and economic impact. The small increase proposed by the EC is once again a sign that we are not yet there. This is why the EP will propose at least €120 billion for the new programme”.