Details

Major achievements in health policy / Leadership in climate protection working together with industry

"Ursula von der Leyen is the right candidate. She has led the European Union in difficult times with a steady hand and a good compass. I would particularly like to emphasize that she has managed to keep the European Union together despite great difficulties after the Russian invasion of Ukraine," said Peter Liese, environmental policy spokesperson for the largest group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats) in view of the forthcoming nomination of Ursula von der Leyen as the EPP group's lead candidate (“Spitzenkandidat”).

Details

Ursula von der Leyen listens and takes the necessary adjustments / Task force for international emissions trading / Support for industry, agriculture and citizens instead of ever new bans / 90% remain very ambitious / Intensive debate required


The European Commission announced the possible EU climate target for 2040 today, Tuesday. Various versions of the Communication circulated in Brussels in the run-up to the announcement. The Commission has taken criticism, suggestions and praise into account in advance. “The farmers' protests of recent weeks in particular have shown that we need a good exchange with all parties involved in environmental and climate policy. There is no point in constantly imposing new bans while losing public support for climate protection. Ursula von der Leyen has listened to the people and has made the necessary adjustments with the Communication published today," explained Peter Liese, environmental policy spokesperson for the largest political group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats).

Details

Crises mastered well / Change of course in agriculture and industry was important

 The Presidium of the German CDU (Christian Democrats, EPP) has just nominated the current President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen as the lead candidate for the EPP (so called “Spitzenkandidat”). According to the will of the CDU, Ursula von der Leyen will continue to be Commission President after the European elections on June 9. The EPP Group's spokesperson for environmental and health policy commented on the decision as follows: "Ursula von der Leyen is the right candidate in turbulent, difficult times. She has led us well through the pandemic and is showing a clear edge for Ukraine and against the Russian aggressor. She has also handled other crises well. As a doctor and health politician, I find it particularly important that she has put the fight against cancer at the heart of European policy. We can hardly overestimate her achievements in climate protection. At the same time, in the last few months following the departure of Frans Timmermans, she made a smart change of direction and addressed the concerns of farmers before the farmer protests all over Europe even started. I think she was very right to withdraw the proposal to ban plant protection products in certain agricultural areas and to propose reducing the protection status of the wolf. The change of direction has also begun in the industrial sector and, in my view, must be vigorously continued. Especially if we want to achieve ambitious climate targets, we need to speed up permitting procedures and set priorities. Not a single bird can prevent a wind farm to be built and we should not ban chemicals that are particularly important for the energy transition or for medicine. Important first steps have been taken here with the Net Zero Industry Act and the Critical Raw Materials Act."

Details

A new focus of European climate policy needed / Commission needs to immediately set up a task force on international carbon markets / Three other conditions to enable industry, agriculture, forestry and low-income families in particular to implement ambitious targets


“We need to focus much more on convincing third countries to follow our ambitious policies. The introduction of CBAM generates a lot of interest by third countries. Many of those want to cooperate. DG CLIMA is flooded by requests for cooperation and advice but has not enough staff to accommodate the wishes of third countries. For example, the representatives of Singapore talked to the Parliament delegation during the COP in Dubai. They said that they have an ETS and wish to join us in our efforts but Commission didn’t have time to talk to them. That’s why the most important measure is that the Commission sets up a dedicated task force for international carbon markets to cooperate with third countries and technical advice. This will be the most effective and the cheapest climate measure ever,” insisted Peter Liese, environmental spokesman of the biggest parliamentary group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats) ahead of the publication of the European Commission’s Communication on the 2040 climate target.

  1. Peter Liese on the EU Climate Advisory Board’s report:
  2. Climate conference between hope and fear
  3. EPP MEPs call for urgent action on animal welfare in letter to EU Commission - Commission proposal expected on December 6
  4. European Parliament votes for reduction of packaging and packaging waste