EU Climate package: Democracy sidelined as flawed climate package steamrolls through parliament
Today the European Parliament voted in plenary in Strasbourg on the six pieces of legislation (1) making up the EU's 'climate and energy package'. A majority in the EP's conference of presidents this morning reversed a decision to allow split votes and votes on amendments. The six pieces of legislation was therefore approved as single blocks.
Greens/EFA Group Co-president Monica Frassoni commented:
"Today's approved climate package has been hailed as 'historic' by some, but it remains to be seen how history will judge today's vote. It is at least a step forward, if not the giant leap Greens were hoping for."
"The Greens played a crucial role in preventing the climate package from completely derailing and we especially salute the tremendous efforts and influence of Green rapporteurs and EP negotiators Satu Hassi and Claude Turmes.
"It is however entirely unacceptable that EP President Pöttering, backed by the largest political groups, steamrolled the climate package in block votes through parliament today. This imposed procedure smothered any possibility of highlighting our objection to the weakest points of the climate legislation.
"The approved package is a mixed bag of bright and dark spots. We welcome the confirmed commitment for a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2020 and that an upgraded 30% reduction with international agreement is foreseen. We are enthusiastic about renewables legislation that will spark economic dynamism and a real shift towards cleaner energy. This can help make up some of the shortcomings elsewhere in the climate legislation.
"We are deeply disappointed however that Parliament approved smokescreen legislation on CO2 car emissions that is geared more towards " business as usual " for carmakers than requiring they make technological improvements to reduce emissions and save consumers money.It is incomprehensible that huge sums have been earmarked for carbon capture and storage demonstration, a technology that will not deliver until 2050 if it proves itself at all. We also strongly oppose 'effort sharing' rules that allow the EU to offset up to 80% of emissions reductions in developing countries for sectors including building and transport."
(1) Legislation for a post-2012 emissions trading scheme (ETS); the effort sharing of emissions reductions from non-ETS sectors; renewable energy; fuel quality; CO2 emissions limits for cars; and a framework for carbon capture and storage.
