Debate: Revision of the EU Emissions Trading System - Monitoring, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport - Carbon border adjustment mechanism - Social Climate Fund - Revision of the EU Emissions Trading System for aviation
Date: MONDAY, 17 APRIL 2023
Speaker: Esther de Lange
Country: Netherlands
Language: EN

I think we managed to strike a deal that reflects the priorities of all those committees. We ensure that the fund kicks in before the extension of the ETS does and that the majority of funding is spent as structural measures and investments for building renovation and zero- and low-emission transport, which will of course have the biggest climate and environmental impact.  The fund will target vulnerable households and transport users, including the lower and middle income ones in cities as well as in rural areas. And although the funds will be initially financed through external revenue, at the explicit request of the Council, it should be part of the next Multiannual Financial Framework. And, at least as important, we brought back national co-financing against the wish of this same Council, resulting in a total budget of EUR 87 billion.  But let us be clear: we in this room, we might be relieved that the negotiating process is over, but this is no laughing matter. High energy prices are still keeping Europeans awake at night, and the social impact of this climate transition is much bigger than this limited fund. To address this, Member States and the EU level need to work hand in hand, and spending from our European budget should be much more focused on real priorities, including a fair climate transition for all but that, I admit, is a discussion for the next budget.  In all, together, ETS, CBAM and the Social Climate Fund form the core – or, as a Christian Democrat, I might say the holy trinity – of the ‘Fit for 55’ package. Is this deal needed? Yes, it is, because without it we would not reach the CO2 reduction we need to pass this planet on to the next generation as good stewards.  Is it enough? Well, let me say the following, and I was a bit surprised to see our economic and financial commissioner in this climate debate, but you’re from Italy, so you’re from like me, from a seafaring nation historically, let me say that this deal is the compass. We’ve put a mark on the horizon and we now need we now know where to go by 2050 in terms of CO2 reduction.  But any experienced navigator knows that a compass alone is not enough to be successful. Secondly, you need to know where you are at this wide and often wild sea. This is where CBAM kicks in. International competition is not always fair, and although CBAM is a very important step, the Commission needs to be flexible enough to react when the international waters change and more might be needed.  And thirdly, a good seafarer makes sure that he has no mutiny on his ship, and we need to make sure that we have no mutiny on the EU ship, that we bring our citizens along in this transition.  We’ve said it as EPP in the beginning, two years ago of this debate: if the Green Deal does not provide jobs in Europe, it will not be successful. And therefore I want these electrical buses that we need to be made in Europe and not in China if the competition from China is not fair. And therefore I want the social impact of this transition to be addressed. And therefore in this way we might feel like it's the end of a long process – no blood was involved, but for sure sweat and tears – but it’s actually only the beginning, because for this strategic industrial policy that we also need, we’re still looking at the Commission.  The beginning is there with your proposals for the Net-Zero Industry Act, but more might need to be done. So I hate to say, but let’s get back to work.