For years, the European Union has been ahead in the battle against Climate change and conservation of the environment. However it is currently facing Internal pressure to pause new Environmental initiatives due to concerns about potential negative impacts on the economy.
with the next European Parliament elections set for 2024, some leaders and lawmakers concerned On antagonizing workers and voters with new Binding legislation and restrictive measures and urges the 27-nation bloc hit brakes.
Since Ursula von der Leyen took The helmet _ driving of the powerful European Commission back in In 2019, environmental policies topped the EU agenda. supported by the countries of the European Union plans To become climate neutral by 2050 and widely adopted range of Measures, from reducing energy consumption to sharp cutting Transport emissions and the EU reform trading system for Greenhouse gases.
But cracks in European United Front against Climate change has appeared in recent months.
the first sign This was earlier year When Germany, the economic giant of the bloc, delayed an embargo deal new Internal combustion engines in European Union by 2035 amid ideological divisions within Germany government.
An agreement was finally reached in March, however just Weeks later, France, the other power in the bloc, called for a pause on EU environmental regulation, causing controversy.
He also submitted a bill on Green Industry Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron said the time had come for European Union to implement the list rules before adoption new That.
“we’ve got already So much passed of regulations at the European level, more from our neighbors. Now we have to do, not do new rulesOtherwise, we will lose everything players. “
Macron was especially so concerned Under the US Clean Energy Act who benefits from electricity vehicles and other products made in North America fears that European companies will be wronged competition. Although the Europeans and their American partners continue to work resolve the challenges Posed by US law, Macron logic It basically holds that a pause on environmental restrictions help EU companies continue to produce on home soil, though competition from countries Like China which has lower environmental standards.
Belgian Prime Minister minister Alexandre de Croo soon followed, calling this week for endowment on the introduction of European Union legislation aims to: nature Preservation creating A crack within the ruling coalition Including green politicians.
The law proposed by the European Union’s executive arm aims, by 2030, to cover at least 20%. of Terrestrial and marine areas of the European Union with nature restoration measures”, and eventually extend it to all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050.”
De Croo said that climate law should Do not overload with Restoration measures or limits on agricultural nitrogen pollution, warning Companies will not be able to keep them up.
“That’s why I ask that we press on pause button,” he told VRT network. “Let’s not go away with Things that, strictly speaking, have nothing to do with global Heating. These other issues are also important, but measures must be taken to address them in stages.”
Owned by Macron and De Croo found Allies in the European Parliament, where members of the biggest groupChristian Democratic Party, European People’s Party, asked the European Commission to withdraw nature Proposal for a Restoration Act on On the grounds that it will threaten agriculture and undermine food security in Europe.
the move This came after two parliamentary committees, the Fisheries Committee and the Agriculture Committee, rejected the planned legislation.
European People’s Party lawmakers claim that the abandonment of farmland will happen lead to increase in food prices, more imports and drive farmers out of Business.
“This is exceptional step And shows Parliament is unwilling to accept a proposal that only increases costs and insecurity for said Siegfried Morichan, Vice President of EPP group responsible for budget and structural policies.
growing opposition to nature restoration law caused great Concern among environmental NGOs, and Frans Timmermans, EU Commission’s Supreme Climate official in Cost of Be warned of the Green Deal, that it will not be brought up forward Suggest an alternative because there is no time.
“You can’t say I am support Green Deal, but not the ambition to restore nature. “It’s not a la carte,” Timmermans said.
The European Union Commission has also Suggest setting legally binding targets for reduce the use of 50% pesticide reduction by 2030 and ban on All pesticides use in public parks, playgrounds and schools. To ease the transition to alternative methods of pest control, farmers will be able to use EU funds to cover cost of the new requirements for five years.
“if one A piece falls, other pieces fall. I do not see how We can keep the Green Deal without nature column, because without nature climate substrate also Timmermans told EU lawmakers. “So we are need To bring these two together.”
