MEPs discuss with the Commission and Council the latest the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, which calls for urgent measures to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Opening statement by Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the European Green Deal.

debate

plenary session

TIMMERMANS, Frans (NL, EC)

fight against climate change (T)

Sixth Assessment Report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): opening statement by Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission

Introduction to the debate by the president

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, vicepresident of the European Commission, Thank you, Madam President. Let me start by saying that at the end of last week when I saw President Metsola sitting across a desk from President Zelensky I felt personally represented, not just because I ran in the last European elections as lead candidate of the Socialists and Democrats and got elected to this parliament, not just because I also represent a European institution.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, vicepresident of the European Commission, But because I'm one of four hundred and forty million European citizens who she represented at that moment and I felt represented, and I believe in that sense, she has done a great service to this parliament, to our citizens.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, vicepresident of the European Commission, And I would like to echo the call. She just made that we should pass from words to actions now. That we should quickly move to tighten the sanctions, do everything materially, morally, politically, economically to support a nation that is fighting for its very survival.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, vicepresident of the European Commission, In the last days, we've seen the level of atrocity committed by Putin's troops. We've seen the declarations again today in Moscow, even foreshadowing the chance, the possibility of genocide. There is no bigger task of us than to support the Ukrainians in this struggle, which is also our struggle. This peaceful nation has been invaded, but it's not just an attack on them, it's an attack on all of us, our values, our way of life, our security and also on the momentous task we face.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, vicepresident of the European Commission, The IPCC report that was presented today again demonstrates how big the challenges humanity's facing. IPCC again points to the fact that we need to do more if we want to achieve the goal of keeping the rise of the temperature well below two degrees and hopefully on 1.5 degrees, we're not there by a long stretch. That's the bad news.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, vicepresident of the European Commission, The good news is, however. That if we change our policies, if we upped the ante, if we do more, we can reverse the trend. That's also what the IPCC report says that was just published.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, vicepresident of the European Commission, So I believe that this Parliament this commission and the council. Are under a political and moral responsibility to act as fast as we can on fit for 55 on the Green Deal, on Farm to Fork and all the projects we've put on the table to get where we need to be. And this is because even with everything we've put on the table, one cannot exclude, if you read the IPCC report, that we might be called to do even more in the months and years to come. And we should be clear on this message.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, vicepresident of the European Commission, And the war in Ukraine has only increased our sense of urgency because now. Nobody can find an excuse, in my view, to not speed up the end of the overuse of fossil fuels, to not speed up Europe's stronger reliance on its own energy production, which has to be solar, wind, bio gas, geothermal if we have it. But cannot we cannot continue to import massive amounts of fossil fuels for political reasons.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, vicepresident of the European Commission, We cannot be in the position to be blackmailed, but especially also because that's the only way we can fulfil the pledges we've made in Fit for 55. That's the only way we'll get to a reduction of at least 55 percent by 2030 of our emissions. And that's the only way we have a shot at climate neutrality in 2050.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, vicepresident of the European Commission, Now, the other reason why I believe we should stick to our plans and perhaps even revisit them is that the only way we can convince others in the world to do more who need to do much more than we do. That's also crystal clear in the IPCC report is if we show the way, how it can be done. And please, I plead with all of you to help me counter those who say 'as long as others don't do more, we should be doing more'.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, vicepresident of the European Commission, It is clear that we're the only continent with a comprehensive plan to get us where we need to be, and only through comprehensive plans can other countries, other continents get where they need to be. And by leading the way, Europe can help them get there, by leading the way.

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, vicepresident of the European Commission, We can do what the positive, what the optimistic part of the IPCC report says, namely change the trend. And give humanity a shot at survival. Thank you.