During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (17-20 May 2021), MEPs debate on the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations in developing countries. Opening statements by Mónica Silvana GONZÁLEZ (S&D,ES), Rapporteur and by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Brussels

statement

debate

plenary session

fight against climate change (T)

LENARČIČ, Janez (SI, EC)

GONZÁLEZ, Mónica Silvana (S&D, ES)

European Green Deal (T)

The impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations in developing countries: opening statements by Mónica Silvana GONZÁLEZ (S&D,ES), Rapporteur and by Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), M&oacute;nica Silvana GONZ&Aacute;LEZ (S&amp;D, ES), Thank you very much, President. Good evening, Commissioner. I would like to express my emotion, the emotion I have I feel today in presenting my first report before this parliament. And I'd like to thank all those who have participated in this work in a concerted fashion and have permitted for the placement of this on the agenda as well.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Mónica Silvana GONZÁLEZ (S&D, ES), The pandemic has affected all things have changed, but not climate change. Unfortunately, 143 million people will become climate refugees by 2050. And I'd like to thank, of course, the shadow rapporteurs. I'd like to thank Saskia Bricmont and I'd like to thank all those colleagues in ENVI and FEMM. This is the beginning, this particular report, to help these individuals that require help.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Mónica Silvana GONZÁLEZ (S&D, ES), I'd like to thank the commission as well for the coordinated help and for the receptive attitude as well. I'd like to think in Madam would be lying and I'd like to thank your team as well, Mr Leonatus, for having helped us move forward with concrete proposals. Now we've spoken about how we have to move forward on this particular issue, fighting climate change.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Mónica Silvana GONZÁLEZ (S&D, ES), We have the major, of course, green packed with important pieces of legislation like the legislation on the climate. But it's important to put the vulnerable people on the agenda as well. In countries, in developing countries, we are a major motor, an engine as far as humanitarian aid throughout the world. So a number of different other parliaments as well have expressed their views on this issue.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Mónica Silvana GONZÁLEZ (S&D, ES), The African Union with the Kampala declaration, the Latin American Declaration of Kabana as well, referring to climate change and climate change as a cause of climate refugees as well, and also the need to have the right to water, sanitation, food, health and a place to live. Now, we have a clear link here with this report between climate change and refugees, which have led to major catastrophes throughout the world.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Mónica Silvana GONZÁLEZ (S&D, ES), And we have to develop this major aspect as well. In other words, the impact on human lives as far as the creation of refugees, there is a lot that has to be done along with the numerous other conflicts and crises as well. Climate justice is what we have to focus on. And unfortunately, the great sufferers in this are the countries which have not contributed considerably to climate change.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Mónica Silvana GONZÁLEZ (S&D, ES), So it is the responsibility of those who have caused climate change to offer something to these numerous different parties which have suffered. Indigenous populations have suffered particularly. We need a comprehensive, integrated approach. We need clear communication as well. Climate policy, which would involve increasing international financing to support the various new mechanisms in place, like the Warsaw mechanisms.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Mónica Silvana GONZÁLEZ (S&D, ES), And any sort of financing in order to fight disasters and catastrophes which result from climate change as well, particularly to support those small countries, Micronesians nation, island nations which have suffered from rising water levels, and also these particular areas which are in more vulnerable areas, geographically speaking, and areas which have suffered from drought.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Mónica Silvana GONZÁLEZ (S&D, ES), Once again, the rising of seas, increased rains in certain areas and diminished rains in other areas. So in other words, areas that have suffered because of climate change, we have to design programmes to adopt as well to the situation. Women ought to be at the epicentre of these policies which are adopted, and they are to be agents of change as well. We call for a focussing on the creation of a nexus, in other words, creating a kind of hub or bridge between emergency response and there where the emergency exists.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Mónica Silvana GONZÁLEZ (S&D, ES), And third, very important, migration policy. We are to have mechanisms, legal mechanisms in place in order to safeguard the rights of individuals within borders and outside of borders. In other words, for displaced individuals as well, the risks on life because of climate change, this has to be referred to specifically in the various in the various statements, reports, resolutions adopted by international organisations. And this we've seen clearly in the case of the UNHCR declaration.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Mónica Silvana GONZÁLEZ (S&D, ES), Also, we have to have clear establishment of migration corridors so that people can be in a position to save their lives when necessary. It's very important to understand why this migration exists and where this migration comes from as a result of climate change. Numerous organisations have to be involved, local authorities, NGOs and national governments as well. Intercultural dialogue has to be part of this and racism fighting mechanisms have to be adopted, adopted as well.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Mónica Silvana GONZÁLEZ (S&D, ES), So I think it's very important to understand that the various credit institutions in the European Union and outside in other international organisations have a major role to play. 40 percent of financing to fight Climate change is there, but we need additional support as well, proper programming, and we have to fight for the weaker parties in this entire game. And that involves involvement in a concerted fashion of those who are wealthier in this world.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Mónica Silvana GONZÁLEZ (S&D, ES), So in the future, legal decisions as far as dealing with the climate, it cannot be anecdotal in nature. We need concrete action. No longer can we delve into abstract world. So we have to understand that climate change involves a risk for human lives. That's what we've touched upon within the framework, within the content of this report as well.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Mónica Silvana GONZÁLEZ (S&D, ES), This initiative report is more opportune than ever. It is the moment right now to adopt a report of this nature, to set down a working programme. I hope this will be a beginning and that there will be a continuum thereafter of fighting on this particular front. Libya with the new regulations, with the new migration pact. I do hope that the climate factor will be taken into consideration and that we will be able to fight concertedly. Thank you.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management Honourable president, honourable members of the parliament, let me first congratulate honourable member of the European Parliament, Gonzalez, for her timely report on such an important topic. Fighting climate change is a top priority for this commission, and our capacity to respond to it will transform lives in the years to come. We are working across all policies with member states and Like-Minded actors in developing a comprehensive approach that goes beyond managing disaster and displacement.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management Indeed, while addressing the immediate needs of displaced people in parallel, we need to support efforts to boost resilience, prevention and preparedness. The preparation of the EU chairmanship of the platform on disaster displacement in 2022 is an important opportunity to work in this direction. First, let me reassert that leaving no one behind and addressing inequalities must be at the core of our external action, and I welcome that. This is one of the guiding ideas of the report.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management Climate change is indeed a threat multiplier for inequalities. The ENDI and indeed Global Europe regulation will be our instrument to forge international partnerships, to tackle inequalities and to work on global challenges. It is innovative in many ways and contains two new spending targets 30% contribution to climate action objectives and an indicative 10 percent for supporting management and governance of migration and forced displacement, as well as addressing root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management Both targets mean spending significantly more than before. We Candyce. We have a tool that allows us to have a lasting impact, and we must now focus on programming our future cooperation in line with our policy priorities. The Commission looks forward to the upcoming High-Level Geopolitical Dialogue with the European Parliament to discuss this.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management Second, the current discussion addressing the intertwined factors leading to population displacements is not new at global level and is a very difficult one given the scope of the Geneva Convention and other protection schemes in place. For instance, the Munsen protection agenda. Multilateral actors are focussing their work within the existing legal framework at EU level.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management The political sensitivity of ongoing discussions, notably in the context of the new pact on migration and asylum, also needs to be taken into consideration. The existing international and EU legal framework may provide solutions on a case by case basis, in particular with regard to the principle of known reform. And of course, discussions on protection gaps in the legal framework should in any case, continue.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management But in the meantime, I believe it is important that we act finally, as this report highlights, climate change affects people differently, depending on a number of factors, including gender. As primary users and managers of natural resources, women play an essential role for climate change mitigation and adaptation and also on environmental protection.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management The EU is determined to protect women from environmental degradation and climate change, particularly in the context of fragile situations. All of our external action is undergoing a gender mainstreaming exercise, and at least 85 percent of new actions implemented under industry will have significant impact on gender equality in line with our Gender Action Plan three presented last year.

SOUNDBITE (English), Janez LENARČIČ, European Commissioner for Crisis Management I would like to thank once again the rapporteur and the committee for their important work, and I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts. Thank you.