In the framework of the 25th Conference of the Parties (COP25) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which takes place in Madrid, Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), Chair of the EP delegation, and Peter LIESE (EPP, DE), Vice-Chair of EP delegation, make a statement on the European Green Deal which was the topic of the extraodinary plenary session that takes place the same day the European Parliament in Brussels.

EICKHOUT, Bas (Greens/EFA, NL)

Madrid

LIESE, Peter (EPP, DE)

COP 25 (T)

European Green Deal (T)

EP Delegation to COP25 Chile (Madrid): reactions on the European Green Deal: statements by Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), Chair of the EP delegation, and by Peter LIESE (EPP, DE), Vice-Chair of EP delegation

External and internal shot of the Feria de Madrid (4 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), It reads like a comprehensive document going in the right direction, and to be very honest it almost reads like a green manifesto.

SOUNDBITE (English), Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), I think what we see now is that the issue of the problems we are having and also the challenge for going towards a new economy is getting more and more attraction. And I think it is important to realize that more and more political groups are realizing that they need to take a step towards a green deal. But I think what is now also important is that this is of course the first step, this is setting the agenda. But then on every step to the next one, we need to discuss also what are we exactly going to propose. I think this is a very good start, this is a very good green deal, this is changing the economy, this is changing the agenda of the Commission. But now of course we have to make sure that every follow-up, every legislative proposal also really is enabling the change that has being promised and being required in this Green Deal document.

SOUNDBITE (English), Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), I think it is very far-reaching. Of course, if you then go into specific topics, we can still have criticism. For example, what are we now going to do with the current CAP proposal, the current agriculture proposal? if you say that something really needs to change, but at the same time you keep the proposal on the table on the common agriculture policies of the previous Commission, let us see what that means. If we look at trades are we now sincerely going to change trade deals that we are now having on the table, because of this Green Deal? There document is not very clear.

SOUNDBITE (English), Peter LIESE (EPP, DE), We very much welcome the presentation of the Green Deal, we think it is a big opportunity for Europe to create additional jobs and growth. We have already seen last year from the analysis to the Climate Neutrality Plan that we can create jobs and growths and at the same time being much more environmental and climate friendly. Personally I also very much like that Commission unites industry strategy and climate strategy, so we will not be decarbonised by losing our industry, but we want to be even more competitive.

SOUNDBITE (English), Peter LIESE (EPP, DE), We are importing a lot of energy: gas and oil mainly, but also coal. This costs a lot of money, about 1 billion per day. If we take this money to invest it inside Europe in new technologies, renewable energy, efficiency, this will create jobs and we are less dependent from imports. But there are of course problematic areas, energetic industry may suffer if others do not join us. That is why I think it is very important that we work together and we feel it encouraging here at the COP that countries like Mexico, like also China, India, South Africa are also discussing to increase their ambitions. Then the competitiveness issue looks different and we are in a position where we can have a first mover advantage. If some countries, like the US, finally decide not to join us, even after the next election in the United States, then we have to consider border adjustment measures.