Stepping Up Climate Ambition During The Covid-19 Pandemic – CoR Plenary Debate with German Presidency
Greens members Satu Haapanen and Josef Frey reminded of the positive effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on nature, as well as emphasised the importance of strong EU climate action, during the CoR Plenary debate on stepping up climate ambition during the Covid-19 pandemic with the German EU Council Presidency.
In response to a statement by the German Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, Svenja Schulze, Greens co-president Haapanen welcomed the European Green Deal as a clear framework for municipalities and regions towards effective climate action. She pointed out that climate action starts in the municipalities and regions, and the importance of local and regional authorities now implementing the Green Deal and acting in good cooperation with each other. Moreover, she noted that covid-19 has also had positive effects: in Finland people have found a renewed relationship with forests and new national parks have been established, unnecessary travel has reduced, new ways to hold meetings have been found and digital tools have been embraced in education. Lastly, she thanked the German EU Council Presidency for having upheld the importance of climate protection. The Greens are in favour of a 60% carbon emission reduction target by 2030, and welcome German efforts to push for this more ambitious target.
Greens alternate member Josef Frey stated that EU’s climate protection measures are extremely important, but these goals must not be thwarted at the national level, or reach with the use of nuclear energy. He used the example of photovoltaic systems in Germany, for which funding under the Renewable Energy Sources Act is not yet guaranteed for 2021. He concluded that the economy as well as citizens need planning security, when it comes to their contribution to climate protection. This is why a strong EU is needed, which gives the Member States clear guidelines on climate protection.