Debate: General Union Environment Action Programme to
Date: WEDNESDAY, 9 MARCH 2022
Speaker: Grace O'Sullivan
Country: Greece
Language: EN

Scientists are clear that between now and 2030 is the decisive decade for humanity, for our future on Earth. We are in a triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and waste and pollution, and that requires rapid, bold and far—reaching action. So we are voting at a time when the violent consequences of our dependence on fossil fuels have been laid bare for all to see. It is therefore imperative that all objectives and measures contained in the eighth EAP are implemented, and implemented fast.  This includes the objective of a well—being economy, which gives back more to the planet than it takes. We know the endless pursuit of eternal GDP growth is simply incompatible with our planet’s finite resources. For us to live well, within the planetary boundaries, we need to rethink how we define economic progress.  This is echoed in last week’s IPCC report, which states that benefits for health and well—being can be gained by transitioning to a low carbon, well—being-oriented and equity—oriented economy consistent with the aims of the Sustainable Development Goals. With this eighth EAP, the EU recognises that the systemic change necessary to meet our environmental goals requires a new kind of economy that looks beyond GDP, and now is the time to deliver.  This week, we have seen that our addiction to fossil fuels does not just steal the future from next generations, but also brings conflict and destruction to our very own neighbourhood. Massive public subsidies to already profitable fossil fuel industries continue to this day, while hundreds of millions of euros are sent to undemocratic regimes every single day. Investment in fossil fuel infrastructure meanwhile locks us into this pattern for decades to come.  After difficult negotiations, the European Parliament won a key point – the EU now must set a concrete deadline to phase out fossil fuel subsidies that is consistent with the ambition of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C. To secure a liveable planet for today’s young people and future generations, public money must be redirected away from activities that further heat the planet and towards those truly sustainable ways. The eighth EAP’s commitment to end other environmentally harmful subsidies is just as important. Nature is key to our planet’s life support system, yet governments continue to subsidise these activities that destroy ecosystems.  As the rapporteur, I have high expectations for the Commission to swiftly pinpoint and end these harmful subsidies once and for all, so that we can invest instead in biodiversity protection and restoration. It is also now incumbent on the Commission to treat the protection of EU soil just like air and water, with legislation on soil health required by 2023. This agreement makes it clear – at the behest of the Parliament – that measures taken to protect the environment and climate must be carried out in a socially fair and inclusive way in line with a just transition, in line with a just transition.  We must remember that the longer we delay environmental action, the more disruptive and damaging the transition will be. Fair environmental action is fast environmental action. So, while the agreement we are voting on today is an ambitious framework programme to bring us to 2030, we know that we need more ambition. We need results. That’s why the addition by the Parliament of a governance mechanism to the eighth EAP is so crucial. We must ensure that our progress towards our environmental objectives are kept high on the political agenda and that decision makers are held to account. In this most crucial decade of implementation, we cannot miss our 2030 goals.  I would, at this time, like to thank the shadow rapporteurs for all of your excellent cooperation in the negotiations on this file over the past year, as well as the Slovenian Presidency and, of course, the Commission, who have worked very well to agree on this meaningful framework for environmental action. Now, while the window of opportunity remains open to us, let us make sure it happens.