During the extraordinary sitting of 11 December 2019 in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on the European Green Deal: extracts.

Brussels

statement

debate

plenary session

TIMMERMANS, Frans (NL, EC)

LAMBERTS, Philippe (Greens/EFA, BE)

GARCÍA PÉREZ, Iratxe (S&D, ES)

DE LANGE, Esther (EPP, NL)

CIOLOŞ, Dacian (Renew, RO)

AUBRY, Manon (The Left, FR)

European Green Deal (T)

The European Green Deal: extracts from the extracts from the MEPs debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Esther de LANGE (EPP, NL), At the same time for EPP it is also clear that you don&rsquo;t put a man - or a woman for that matter - on the moon by just banning thinks by increasing taxes and by telling people what they must do or what they can no longer do. We do it by bringing the best and brightest together, that first of all. We need ground breaking research the smartest solutions and the cleaners industry which will provide jobs for Europeans and opportunities. Let Europe be the continent that develops and produces alternative aircraft fuels, while also improving the rail market for shorter distances. Let Europe be the continent where we produce CO2 low or even free steel.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish), Iratxe GARC&#205;A P&#201;REZ (S&amp;D, ES), The financial pillar: this pillar will determine the success of the green pact according to the commission of the fulfilment of its objectives will require an additional annual investment of 260,000 million euros for this we need the multiannual financial framework with at least 1.3 of the gross national income and we need to talk of fair taxation aligned with the carbon reduction objectives. The European Union cannot fight climate change alone. Our commercial policy represents an excellent opportunity to promote our social and environmental labour standards.

SOUNDBITE (English), Dacian CIOLO&#350; (RE, RO), We should not&rsquo; oppose traditional policies and new priorities, but modernise our traditional tools. But cohesion and common agricultural policy can deliver on our new political ambitions. The Green deal ambition must be integrated with policy reforms that are already on the table. Dear colleagues, the task ahead of us, is a challenge of a generation. But with determination and team work our journey can be an opportunity for renewal and reinvention.

SOUNDBITE (French), Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA, BE), It will have to make sure that the EU takes all of its share of the fight to limit the climatic climate warming to 1 &deg; and &frac12;. So far not only are the Union's commitments insufficient but not kept. Correcting the fire is that in the next 100 days we are committed to reducing our emissions by 65% by 2030. Climate disruption is just one of the symptoms of humanity's failure to respect the planet's biophysical limits. . We must also act without delay on biodiversity, on the subject of depletion of resources, or on the pollution of nature, a nature on which we depend for our life simply.

Secondly, to succeed, the ecological transition must be in solidarity, it must go hand in hand with a drastic reduction of economic and social inequalities. It goes without saying that sustainable production and consumption is financially more expensive. Bringing most of the price of the transition on those who suffer poverty, precariousness, downgrading, is simply intolerable yellow vests rightly remind us.

SOUNDBITE (French), Manon AUBRY (GUE/NGL, FR), Your plan is also crossed by contradictions that are fundamental, and that makes some of its objectives inoperative. On energy how to be credible without a precise timetable for the exit of coal and gas and still maintaining an inefficient carbon market. On trade, what are the environmental clauses for if we pursue climate-free trade agreements? On agriculture how to increase the area dedicated to organic without reopening the negotiations on the CAP. On transport how to develop rail freight by continuing the dismantling of public companies? Finally, where are the concrete commitments for a kerosene tax, a carbon tax, and a plastic tax?

SOUNDBITE (English), Frans TIMMERMANS, Executive Vice-President-designate, European Green Deal, Today I want to congratulate Greta Thunberg for having been nominated Person of the year by Time magazine. I think this is a great sign, a great sign that this generation , our kids, are leading the way. As a parent there is nothing more beautiful when you see that your kids are leading the way. But that&rsquo;s not the only reason why I believe we need to act now . The reason I believe we need to act now is because the facts are staring us in the face. And I think if you are a responsible member of Parliament, if you&rsquo;re in the responsible position in the Commission, if you are a citizen , if you&rsquo;re a parent, you do not have the luxury to ignore the facts. Look at what&rsquo;s happening in Greenland. Look at what&rsquo;s happening globally with our climate. Look at the desertification, look at the erratic weather, look at the people suffering because of this erratic weather across Europe, look at what is happening to our biodiversity as we speak.