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.
Julie Girling elected as deputy EPP ENVI Coordinator
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Tonight the European People’s Party (EPP) ENVI group elected Julie Girling as their deputy coordinator. She succeeds the Austrian MEP Elisabeth Köstinger who left the European Parliament to become Agriculture Minister in Austria. Girling’s election is remarkable considering that she joined the EPP just three weeks ago, after she quit the European Conservatives and Reformists Group. Mrs Girling had the Conservative whip suspended in October after supporting a resolution in Strasbourg declaring that “sufficient progress” had not been made in the Brexit talks to move on to further discussions on the future relationship between the UK and EU. She joined the European People’s Party whose approaches she believes “will more effectively further the prospects of achieving the best possible future for our constituents”. Peter Liese, EPP-coordinator in the ENVI committee, has welcomed the election result: “Over the last 9 years, I have got to know Julie as a hard-working and capable colleague and I am looking forward to developing our work together on the ENVI committee.” Mrs Girling said "I am very grateful for this vote of confidence from my new EPP colleagues. I shall be working hard to make a contribution to the committees work in what is shaping up to be a very busy final year of the mandate."
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”.
Climate protection: aviation will have to contribute more
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The Brexit shall not weaken the European Emission Trading System and not disadvantage companies in continental Europe
“In case of a hard Brexit there shall not be any negative repercussions on climate protection and no competitive distortions to the disadvantage of the European Industry”, explained the environmental policy spokesperson of the largest political Group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats) Dr Peter Liese on the occasion of a plenary session‘s decision in Strasbourg.
The Members of the Parliament voted in favour of an amendment, which allows the European Commission to introduce a safeguard mechanism if the UK leaves the EU without any agreement. Beforehand, the text was negotiated by representatives of the Member States and the European Commission, which is why its approval in the Council is considered as certain. “I still hope that there won’t be a hard Brexit. The agreement between Prime Minister Theresa May and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker strengthens me in my hope at least a little bit. The hardliners in UK shouldn’t have any illusions - we are well prepared for a hard Brexit and we will protect our environment and the companies in the EU,” said Liese. The Commission and the representatives of the Member States have by now agreed to detailed regulations.
Read more: Climate protection: aviation will have to contribute more