During the extraordinary EP plenary sitting in Brussels, MEPs debate the “European Green Deal” to make the EU the first climate-neutral continent. Opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC. This transcription speech is the he result of an automatic process. Check Against delivery.

Brussels

statement

debate

plenary session

VON DER LEYEN, Ursula (DE, EC)

European Green Deal (T)

Debate on the European Green Deal: opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC (14:16 - 14:30)

SOUNDBITE (French), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, Thank you very much, President. Two weeks ago, I made a promise to this parliament. I promised that my commission would not waste time. So here we are just two weeks later. We're here before you with our proposal for a European green deal. It is the people of Europe who have called on us to take decisive action against climate change.

SOUNDBITE (French), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, Europeans have made their voice voices heard in the streets and at the ballot box. And it's for them that we are here today. It is for them that we are presenting such ambitious green deal for Europe. And it is today that we want to say to them that we have heard them.

SOUNDBITE (French), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, We have heard you loud and clear. And here is our response. Members of the European Parliament in July, straight after my appointment, I put climate action at the heart of my political programme. Thanks to your vote, you have adopted that programme and I promise that you will have a central role in the coming phases

SOUNDBITE (French), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, Today, Frans and myself and the whole college are presenting to you and to the open citizen as our ideas for the European Green Deal. We are also here because we need you. This proposal is not the end of the what we're doing, but just the start of a common path and will only be able to proceed with your support.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: Honourable members. This is not just our vision for climate neutral continent. It is a roadmap for action with 50 practical steps on Europe's path towards 2050. It will take more than a generation to reach that goal. We know that this road map will have to evolve and adapt through the years. It will be a very long and partly bumpy road, without any question.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: But it is to us, up to us to set the pace. It is up to us to leave no one behind. And we know that it is doable. We are determined to succeed for the sake of this planet and life on it. And so many European people, businesses and cities are already showing us the way.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: Last Friday, 44 of your of Europe's largest investors, representing 6 trillion euros of assets, called on the European Union to adopt as quickly as possible a climate law for climate neutrality in 2012 2050. They won that law.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: They say it will give them the confidence to make long term decisions for modern investment. It is about accountability and reliability. And therefore, a building block, a crucial building block of our European green deal will be in 2020.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: The proposal of the very first European climate law, it will set clear rules so that investors and innovators can plan their long term investment. It will make the transition towards climate neutrality accountable and reliable. And next summer, we will present a plan to increase our ambition in cutting emissions.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: This decision on our 2030 target will not be left to chance. The plan will come with a thorough impact assessment to better understand where we can be bold, but also where we must be prudent. We want to be as ambitious as we can and we want to be as realistic as we can. All of this will be ready in time for next year's COP 26 in Glasgow.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: Europe will lead by example, but we also need more ambitious multilateral rules for the whole world. Of course, every continent has to find its own path without any question. But the goal must be the same for everyone and positive change must be rewarded and not hindered. We want to protect our planet.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: We welcome the change in production procedures. If companies invest in clean technologies, if they respect our environment, it can't be that they face unfair competition from heavy polluters. And that's when we will apply a carbon border adjustment mechanism with full compliance with WTO rules.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: Honourable members, the European Green Deal is not only about emissions. It is about boosting innovation. It is about quality food. It is about modern mobility. It will create new businesses and markets all across Europe. The European Green Deal is our new growth strategy, and this time it a growth strategy that is not consuming. But it is a new growth strategy that is more giving back than it takes away. It's a growth strategy that is more caring

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: Companies from all across our continent are already turning the green transition into green opportunities and business opportunities. Some are converting plastic waste in modern furniture, for example. Farmers are using data from our satellites to adapt to climate change. Made and Europe batteries for electric cars are finally becoming reality.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: We must invest in Europe's potential for innovation. Seventy years ago, Europeans invested in coal and steel. And it turned out to be a historic reconciliation and an economic miracle. Today, we are investing in renewables and algorithms, and the European Green Deal is about reconciling our economy with our planet.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: Reconciling the way we produce the way we consume with our planet and respecting the environment we live in. That is the core of the European Green Deal. And honourable members. Exactly one year ago. The City of Katowic hosted the Global Climate Conference of COP 24. This city that for over a century was a capital of coal became the global capital of climate action.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: Delegations from the whole world saw former coal industries that now host Congress centres, restaurants and Congress concert halls. This transition did not happen overnight and it was certainly not effortless.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: And likewise, the European green deal won't happen overnight and it will be demanding, but it is the right thing to do. As in cattle each year, the transition will bring better and healthier jobs. It will bring cleaner and less polluted cities. It will bring a higher quality of life for Europeans. But this transition will also need time, support, and solidarity.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: Therefore, immediately in the next year. We will propose the just transition mechanism. It will combine public money and private money. The European Investment Bank will leverage it. With the ambition to reach 100 billion euros in investment over the next seven years, it will be the springboard for those sectors and those regions that have to catch up.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: Everyone in Europe can be part of this change. The transition is not just about big industry and call it is an opportunity for farmers. With our farm to fork strategy. From Lapland to southern Italy, a whole generation of young farmers are rediscovering traditional crops and bringing new life to our countryside.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: The European Green Deal will be on their side. The European Green Deal will take care of Europe's incredible natural heritage. It will protect biodiversity. And revive blue economy. But we. As institutions that serve the Europeans, we must also walk the talk. And this is what the European Commission will do.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: We also have to learn what this change means in our daily life, how to practice sustainability. What does it mean for buildings, for our waste management, for our travels, for our paper use, you name it.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: Today in college, we set ourselves the target to be as a commission climate neutral by 2030. And I invite parliament and the council to do the same. It's a challenge, but let's do that together. Let us support active citizenship and call on grass roots initiatives. Let us work with teachers and educators because our children are not passive spectators.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: They are very active players in this endeavour. Our climate pact will be with them. And for them and for all those who are ready to play a part in this endeavour. Honourable members, a whole continent has to be mobilized. From mayors and small cities and in big cities to all institutions on the European level.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: Every member of my commission will be involved. Every member state, every committee in this parliament. In fact, none of this will be possible without your support. We will need ambitious legislation.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: We will need a seven year budget that raises to the challenge. Today, we bring the European Green Deal here to the floor of the parliament. Tomorrow, I'll present it to our leaders in the council, and later this week, Frans Timmermans will present it to Cop 25 in Madrid.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: Let's start this endeavour together. Honourable members. Some say the costs of this transformation is too high. Well, let us never forget what the cost of non action would be. As it is rising by the year. River flooding costs our citizens over 5 billion annually.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: Every year, our economy is losing almost 10 billion euros due to droughts and farmers pay the highest price. And this is only the beginning. But this is not a given. We can resist these developments. It is high time, but it is not too late. With this road map for action, we make the cost of the transition fully sustainable.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: And many Europeans are already taking action. Only one year ago, no one would have imagined that millions would take to the street for climate. Our cities are choosing clean energy. Our scientists are developing the technologies of the future.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: Our families are renouncing plastic and choosing local food. Our GOP and green deal is for them. It is ambitious. It is designed to be just just it is made in Europe for Europe to lead the way to climate neutrality in 2050.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC: Europe has always given its best. When it has worked together as a union, we give our best when we are bold and aim high and with a European green deal. We are aiming high. Europeans are calling on us to drive the change. Now it's up to us to answer that call. Thank you so much.