CO2 Cars
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Peter Liese: Proposal of the European Commission is a good basis for negotiations / Demand for 60 % reduction is complete nonsense
The environmental policy spokesman, Dr. Peter Liese, of the EPP-Group in the European Parliament referred to the European Commission proposal regarding the reduction of CO2 emissions of cars, which was published on Wednesday, as a good basis for negotiations. The Commission proposed that the CO2 emissions should be reduced by 15 percent until 2025 and by 30 percent until 2030. Demands by the Greens and environmentalists for a reduction of 40 or even 60 Percent were not considered in the proposal. At the same time there should be incentives to have a high amount of electric cars in the fleet. “The transport sector has to contribute more our climate goals and I believe that the worldwide trend towards electric cars is unstoppable. Therefore, it is important that the European manufacturers quickly adapt towards this development, otherwise this important branch in Europe possibly can’t keep pace with the competition. On the other hand, we have to be very careful and give the industry some time for the conversion. Especially a lot of automotive industries strongly depend on combustion-engines. We should also help them with the conversion. I think that the demands by the greens and environmental organizations for a reduction of 40 or even 60 percent are nonsense and completely unjustified”, Liese said.
EU-Institutions prepare for hard Brexit
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Agreement on proposal for emission trading / Aviation will have to contribute more to climate mitigation
The EU institutions have agreed on amendments to the ETS Directive late Wednesday evening. The main purpose of the Commission proposal that has been agreed with major amendments is the contribution of aviation to climate mitigation policy. But Parliament, Council and Commission used the opportunity to clarify the Directive and prepare for the event that there is no agreement with the British government on the modalities of the Brexit. "We very much hope that we find a good agreement with the British government and especially in climate and energy policy, for us, it would be the preferred option that the UK continues participation in EU polices. I appreciate that British industry is in favour of this solution but the hardliner in London may make such an agreement impossible. That´s why we have to prepare ourselves for a hard Brexit. We need to protect the environment and the competiveness of the industry in the EU 27 “, said Peter Liese, environmental spokesman of the biggest parliamentary group (EPP-Christian democrats).The Commission will be authorized to label the UK certificates and in case of a hard Brexit they will be invalidated.
Compromise on glyphosate - European Parliament proposes 5 years with strict limits
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Interests of environment, consumers and agriculture reconciled, immediately ban pre-harvest use
The European Parliament has proposed a compromise regarding the controversial pesticide glyphosate. On Tuesday the delegates voted with a big majority to allow the use of the pesticide only for the next five years, but under very strict restrictions. Especially the pre-harvest use, which is already forbidden in several European Member States, shall be forbidden all over in Europe.
The vote is legally not binding, but leads the way for the meeting of the Regulatroy Committee, that is composed of representatives of the EU Member States and the European Commission. This body will discuss this topic on Wednesday. “Even in a tough situation and regarding controversial subjects like the given one, the Parliament shows that it is possible to find reasonable compromises. An immediate ban of glyphosate is in my opinion not justified, because in this moment there are no acceptable alternatives to it. In the worst case a cocktail of several more problematic substances would be used, because it is not possible to shift the European agriculture in such a short period of time towards organic cultivation. Therefore we need time and during this period of time alternatives must be developed. Nevertheless, we think that the Commission proposal can be improved by several conditions. I find it unbearable that in some countries Glyphosate is still used directly before crop harvesting for weed control. From my point of view this is not sustainable agriculture.”
No advantage for British companies in climate policy in case of a hard Brexit
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EPP-Group supported by other political Groups tabled amendment to be prepared for a hard Brexit
In a case of failure of the negotiations on a Brexit agreement, the British industry should not have an undue advantage and European competitors should not have an undue disadvantage. That`s why the biggest parliamentary Group in the European Parliament (EPP) supported by other political Groups tabled an amendment on the ETS directive. The European Parliament will discuss the Girling-report on the inclusion of aviation in the ETS on Monday and will vote on it on Wednesday. Given the raising concern that there is no comprehensive agreement with the UK government during the two years negotiation, MEPs take precautionary action. Allowances given to UK companies free should not be valid in the EU-ETS if those companies don`t have any more obligations under the ETS.
Read more: No advantage for British companies in climate policy in case of a hard Brexit