Member States support largest climate protection law of all time
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Good for the climate, good for the people and good for jobs
On Wednesday, the Committee of the Permanent Representatives approved the reform of European emissions trading system with a very clear majority. 23 states agreed. Belgium and Bulgaria abstained. Only two Member States reserve their final political decision for the final vote in the Council (Poland and Hungary). "I am very happy about this clear result and I assume that the vote in the Environment Committee tomorrow, Thursday, will be just as clear. The negotiators of all pro-European parties (EPP, Social Democrats, Renew and Greens) as well as the Left and the conservative ECR supported the compromise. Even if the parliamentary groups are not all completely united, I expect a clear majority," explained Peter Liese, rapporteur for the reform of the EU ETS. "It is the biggest climate protection law of all time and by 2030 we will save 25 times as much CO2 as with the controversial regulation on CO2 cars (ban on the internal combustion engine). Anyone who has a good idea and saves CO2 or brings corresponding products to the market, will benefit. We cannot and should not decide all the details in Brussels, but rather set no limits to the creativity of the 440 million Europeans," said Liese, who is also spokesperson for environmental policy of the largest group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats).
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Commission proposes an amendment to Medical Device Regulation
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Peter Liese: No time to lose to save human lives / I am pushing for a swift adoption of proposal in Parliament / But we need additional regulations for niche products
On Friday, the European Commission presented a proposal to amend the Medical Device Regulation (MDR). The proposal introduces a more extended transition period for adaptation to the new rules under the MDR.
"It is crucial that the European Commission has now finally proposed an amendment. We, as Christian Democrats, have been pressing Ursula von der Leyen and the Health Commissioner for months. It is a high priority as the lives of children, particularly, are at risk. Colleagues of mine who work in pediatric cardiology warn that medicine will revert to the 1950s if we do not react quickly," commented Dr. Peter Liese, health policy spokesperson for the largest group in the European Parliament (EPP-Christian Democrats).
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Medical Device Regulation enters via urgent procedure
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Vote is already possible in the February plenary session / Defuse the situation for the medical supply / But still a need to continue to work on long-term solutions, especially for niche products
On Tuesday, the Health and Environment Committee coordinators in the European Parliament decided to cover the Commission's proposal to amend the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) in an urgent procedure. This means the proposal could be voted on as early as the mid-February plenary session.
"It is fast now, and it has to be because human lives are at stake. For months, we have been pushing the European Commission to come up with a proposal to amend the Medical Devices Regulation - now we have it. With the urgent procedure, we could already do the final vote on it in the plenary session in February. This is essential to keep medical devices, especially devices for children, in the market," explained the health policy spokesperson of the largest group in the European Parliament (EPP-Christian Democrats), Peter Liese.
Read more: Medical Device Regulation enters via urgent procedure
Peter Liese after historical agreement in ETS: ETS II price will be less than half the ETS I price
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5 measures to protect jobs in industry on top of what Commission proposed
100% of money spent on climate and just transition
“The price of the new ETS II for heating and road transport will most likely be less than 50% than the ETS I price.” This is the assessment of the rapporteur of ETS, the biggest climate law ever of the European Union, Peter Liese. “Citizens can be sure that nightmares that have been linked with ETS II are not realistic. The impact assessment of the European Commission suggests a price of 45 euros in the first years. I think when the ETS II starts in 2027, the price will be significantly lower for three reasons: First of all, we will have a frontloading of ETS II to finance the Social Climate Fund. And second, the Parliament has successfully insisted on a price cap mechanism, when the price of 45 euros is achieved. The third reason is that because of the current energy crisis, many people go for all possible measures to reduce their fossil fuel consumption for example by changing their habits or invest in more efficient heating systems. By 2027 this will already have reduced the emissions and this is the most important. Member States now have the legal obligation to spend ETS I and ETS II money for the purpose of climate and just transition.