President. – The next item is the debate on the Council and Commission statements on President Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the COP 21 Climate agreement (2017/2729(RSP)).
The Paris Agreement has been a historic achievement of the international community, the first ever global commitment to address climate change and its consequences. While we regret the decision taken by the United States of America’s administration to withdraw from this agreement, our long-standing commitment and determination to lead global action on climate change must not relent. We Europeans will not miss the opportunity that the Paris Agreement represents for our citizens, for our planet and for our economy.
Tackling this global challenge also entails working with our industry for new investments, new technologies and more sustainable growth and jobs. The European Parliament has been at the forefront of climate action within the European Union, and today there is an important vote on this. Our overwhelming vote in favour of this agreement made possible its ratification and entry into force. We must be proud of this achievement and we must also continue to work with the United States, its companies, states and cities on this and other fronts. We have set ourselves the most ambitious target in the world. We have the most advanced legislation, which we are strengthening now, showing our continuous commitment.
We were fundamental to this global agreement, as we were able to forge a strong alliance between developing and developed countries. This multilateral spirit was fundamental to the success of the COP 21, and for this I want to thank Commissioner Cañete and the Commission for their strong engagement in this issue in which the nations of the world, big and small, united to defend a higher cause.
Today we have the honour to have with us Mrs Hilda Heine, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Chair of the High Ambition Coalition. Madam President, you know very well the effects that climate change can have, especially on the most vulnerable. Your testimony today is of the utmost importance for us. Madam President, you have the floor.
Hilda Heine,President of the Marshall Islands. – Mr President, I bring warm greetings from the people and government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. It is indeed a great honour and privilege to address you today.
I come from a country whose beauty is as breathtaking as its vulnerability. Our ancestors refer to our islands as ‘jolet jen Anij’ or ‘Gifts from God’. Midway between Australia and the United States, the Marshall Islands comprises more than 1 000 islands dotted within 29 different atoll chains, often no wider than a road. While our territory, mostly ocean, is vast, our population is about 50 000 – far smaller than this beautiful city.
It would seem that my country and yours could hardly be further apart or more different but there is much that we have in common. On a personal level, some of my ancestry is European, German to be specific. On a national level, we are strongly committed to liberal democracy, to human rights and the rule of law. Like the European Union, my country also believes deeply in a multilateral approach to solving global problems. The gravest of these is the battle against climate change.
We are all vulnerable to climate impact. No one can escape, but the Marshall Islands is on the front-line. Wherever you stand in my country you see the ocean. With an average elevation of two metres above sea level, we have nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. King tides and droughts have become more regular and frequent with disaster often hitting us in different ways in different parts of the country at the same time.
One of my first acts as President was to declare a state of disaster because of an unseasonal and prolonged drought. We had less than three weeks of fresh water left. At the very same time we were on high alert for widespread inundation. The drought lasted seven months and cost us nearly EUR 3.5 million. The year before that, a typhoon wiped away more than 3% of our economy and the year before, that many of our people were left homeless by a single king tide.
Climate change is not a hoax. This is what the everyday struggle against climate change looks like. For us and our Pacific island cousins the ocean that has been our lifeblood risks becoming the cause of our nightmares and through no fault of ours. Unless the world keeps its promise to pursue efforts to limit global temperature rise to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius my country and others like Tuvalu and Kiribati risk becoming completely uninhabitable before the century ends.
But the current geopolitical situation would seem to make achieving the 1.5°C limit more challenging than this time last year. In the 18 months or so since the historic Paris Agreement was reached the world seems to have been turned upside-down more than once. The leader of the world’s largest historical contributor to climate change has announced that he wants to leave the Paris Agreement. In my view, that decision was, at best, misguided. It was also disappointing and confusing for those of us that have long believed in the importance of US global leadership. This is particularly so for my country, a long-time committed ally and friend.
In the coming three years before the US can legally withdraw, we all have a duty to work together to convince President Trump of the importance of climate action. We have compelling arguments and evidence to help change hearts and minds. Because of that, I am cautiously optimistic and so are my people.
I have come here today to explain why and to ask for your help. The Paris Agreement that we all fought so hard to achieve is a balanced, fair and durable agreement. It is a ringing endorsement of multilateralism. It will stand the test of time. The Agreement gives countries flexibility to determine their own contributions towards fighting climate change in the context of collective science-based goals. The Agreement will bring countries together every five years to take stock of progress towards achieving those goals with a view to raising ambition. The Agreement provides for transparency and accountability and sets out provisions relating to means of implementation, adaptation, and loss and damage. Importantly, the Agreement recognises that the national circumstances of countries must be considered in its implementation.
It took us well over 20 years to achieve the Paris Agreement. We cannot do better and we do not have the luxury of more time. The Agreement is not open to renegotiation. Almost 150 countries have now joined the Agreement; some 50, including more than a quarter of the G20 since the US election. No one else is walking away. In fact, they are doing the opposite. Some have joined in the last few days.
I have been overwhelmed in recent weeks by the widespread global support and commitment to the Paris Agreement, including leaders, governments, cities, regions and business community and individuals. I commend Italy for its climate leadership in the G7 and expect no less of Germany in the G20. Such collective acts of leadership are critical and must not fall by the wayside.
Apart from the moral case for climate action, the economic case is undeniable. A recent OECD report highlights in no uncertain terms that any delay in climate action is bad for the economy. Growing numbers of decision-makers at all levels see this. Real world climate action is accelerating and exceeding national targets.
Who could have predicted only a few years ago that renewable energy would increasingly be the cheapest option? Climate action simply makes sense at every level. This realisation is resulting in new countries emerging as climate champions, including India and China.
We are also seeing countries coming together to find new ways to push the boundaries of climate ambition. The High Ambition Coalition, which my country established with the European Union and others, was key to reaching the deal in Paris. That Coalition, which bridges traditional economic and geo-political divides is now working towards the full implementation of the Paris Agreement and the creation of the political space needed for deeper and faster climate action.
In September next year my country will take over leadership of the Climate Vulnerable Forum – a group of 48 developing countries that has pledged to go 100% renewable by 2050. If we can do that, so can you!
At the sub-national level we are seeing an unstoppable groundswell of collective commitment to climate action. Initiatives include the Under2 Coalition, the 2050 Platform, Mission 2020, the C40 Group of Cities and the We Mean Business Coalition. Statements of commitment from US states, cities and businesses in the last week is to be welcomed and so is the direct engagement of European nations with them.
As the UN Secretary-General recently said, the climate action train has truly left the station. But for a country like mine, there is an urgent time imperative. A cost effective path to achieving the 1.5°C limit requires peaking global emissions before 2020 and a rapid acceleration of climate action before 2020 so as to set the world towards net-zero emissions in the second half of this century. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has confirmed this rapid decarbonisation is possible but requires unprecedented levels of leadership.
So once again the world is looking to Europe. Thankfully you have a good track record. From the Kyoto Protocol and delivering on its implementation to securing the Durban mandate that led to the Paris Agreement, and ensuring the success of Paris itself, including bringing it into force in record time, Europe has been at the centre of it all. Indeed, in Paris, it was the Marshall Islands and the European Union that marched arm-in-arm with others into the historic or final plenary.
With that in mind, I pay tribute to President Juncker, Commissioner Arias Cañete and other European leaders and ministers over the years for their commitment. They are true climate warriors, as are many of you who grace this Chamber and others around the world.
Domestically, Europe is demonstrating that economic growth and reducing emissions of greenhouse gases are both possible and mutually reinforcing. Your ground-breaking legislation and policies are being emulated by others around the world. Leadership must increasingly be about implementation. You are turning rhetoric into reality and beginning to put in place what is needed to deliver on your Paris promises.
The EU and its Member States together provide about 40% of all global public climate finance. The EU is also the biggest provider of technical climate assistance to developing countries. An important example is the MPC partnership. In my country EU support has on its own helped solarise more than 90% of our outer islands. Every penny is being put to good use. For all of this, I say thank you for your leadership and for your example.
Going forwards, what must climate leadership from Europe look like? First, Europe must urgently communicate a 2050 strategy to reduce emissions, consistent with the 1.5°C limit and net-zero emissions in the second half of this century. I have already committed my country to doing so.
Second, in 2018 the world will come together to consider progress and inform countries in coming forward with new or revised Nationally Determined Contributions in 2020. The EU must approach this dialogue open to the possibility of raising its ambition as a result. We will not stay within 1.5°C unless Europe and others move before 2020 to raise ambition.
So I am pleased to see President Macron has already committed France to doing even more and I welcome similar statements by Prime Minister Modi of India and others. This is exactly the race to the top we need.
The 2018 dialogue, together with the climate action summit which California plans to host next September and the UN Secretary-General’s climate summit of world leaders in 2019 are the three biggest political moments we have before the end of this decade to push the cause of increased climate ambition. Europe must be at the centre of these, working with countries and others around the world to ensure further and faster climate action by all.
Third, I urge you to move to five-year international targets. Ten-year targets risk lacking in low ambition and are less responsive to the latest science and technological developments.
Fourth, the European Union must continue to push ambitious climate action in all relevant fora and sectors, including on shipping emissions and ensuring environmental integrity in reducing aviation emissions. It will also be important to push for the Kigali amendment on HFCs to enter into force as soon as possible. My country has already ratified the amendment. I acknowledge the sustained leadership of the Federative States of Micronesia to this important cause.
The EU must also lead the world in mainstreaming climate action to deliver the sustainable development goals including in relation to oceans. I pay tribute to our Pacific cousins from Fiji, as well as to Sweden for their leadership. All Pacific islands are also extremely proud that Fiji will represent us when it leads the world at COP 23, the first island climate summit.
Finally, ongoing leadership of the EU on climate finance, in particular for the most vulnerable countries, will be critical. Support for implementation by developing countries is a crucial part of the Paris Agreement. Sadly, the US decision to stop Green Climate Fund (GCF) funding presents a problem and one we hope the EU and its allies can address.
Bilateral assistance will also continue to be viable for countries like mine. An even greater focus by the EU on the Pacific region is urgently needed.
In concluding, I note that some people, maybe even some in this room, think that it is impossible to achieve the goals we agreed in Paris; that is to say that my country cannot be saved. It is impossible to explain how it feels as the leader of my people to see reports or commentaries that apparently forecasts the oblivion of our home land, our ‘jolet jen Anij’.
I have seen and experienced the forced relocation and migration of my fellow citizens to other parts of the Marshall Islands and beyond as a consequence of the testing of nuclear weapons. So, the responsibility my generation has to leave to our children, and to their children and grandchildren, the Marshall Islands as a secure place to call home weighs heavily. Failure is not an option. As our young climate warriors eloquently put it ‘we are not drowning, we are fighting’. I think I speak for all of my Pacific sisters and brothers when I say that.
By working together, the Marshall Islands, the European Union and many others have achieved the impossible before and we will achieve it again because we must. For your leadership, past, present and future, I say ‘Kommooltata’ – thank you very much!
(Sustained applause)
President. – The President of the Marshall Islands will stay with us because I think it is also important for her to know our position. We want to be at the centre of the debate on climate change.
Helena Dalli,President-in-Office of the Council. – Mr President, the recent announcement by President Donald Trump to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on climate is a highly regrettable step. The announcement is in line with previous actions on environmental regulation by the new US Administration, such as the rolling-back of existing climate programmes and the weakening of international climate commitments. The decision to withdraw has been taken in the face of many convincing arguments in support of the new international framework and its architecture that have been voiced by the international community, businesses and other stakeholders. Unfortunately, at this point the details of the US approach are still unclear.
However, what has become evident now is the fact that the US withdrawal adds to the global responsibility held by the European Union as the key supporter of a rules-based multilateral system. Let me stress here that the EU is committed to leading with ambitious climate policies and through our committed support for the poor and the vulnerable.
The Paris Agreement is fit for purpose. It is ambitious, yet not prescriptive. With its flexible architecture it constitutes an international framework which encourages countries to widen the array of options contributing to the goals of preventing climate change, which threatens global development, peace and stability.
Therefore the Council is committed to ensuring that the EU significantly contributes to the optimalisation of the Paris Agreement and to the design of all the elements of the Paris outcome. Our goal should be to minimise the consequences of the US decision on the effectiveness and credibility of the climate framework. The EU will also continue to support the convergence between intergovernmental negotiations and the implementation agenda. This includes conversion of countries’ Nationally Determined Contributions goals into concrete policies and actions.
The Council is continuing its work on the completion of the internal legislative and regulatory framework of the Union, which is necessary to deliver our Paris target of reducing economy—wide emissions by at least 40% by 2030. On 19 June the Environmental Council will hold an exchange of views on the effort-sharing and the land-use change and forestry emissions proposals. We hope to swiftly finalise the Council’s position and to start our interinstitutional negotiations as soon as possible. The EU position following President Trump’s decision to withdraw the US from the COP 21 climate agreement will also be discussed during the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 19 June.
Jean-Claude Juncker,President of the Commission. – Mr President, when I addressed the Paris Conference in November 2015 I saw the world united around a simple goal: to hand over to future generations a healthier planet, more stable and fairer societies, and more prosperous and modern economies. Thanks to the negotiations, and in particular to the chief negotiator of the European Union, my good friend Miguel Cañete, a historic deal was made. The world agreed to save its one and only home.
Doing justice to its traditional name, ‘gifts from God’, the Marshall Islands took action, becoming one of the first to ratify the Paris Agreement. The testimony of President Heine is a reminder of the need for action. It is a matter of survival. Here is a fact: every morning, international datelines set that the day begins at the Marshall Islands. President Heine, we will work to help your country continue to mark the beginning of our days. We will not allow the denial of the very few to be the end of the days of the Marshall Islands.
Unfortunately, not everyone in the world sees the truth of the facts. The withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement is more than a sad event; it is a sign of abdication from common action in dealing with the fate of our planet. We are disappointed and we regret that decision, but the abandonment of Paris by the US Administration will not mean the end of the Agreement. I am convinced that it will make the rest of the world more united and determined to work towards the full implementation of the Paris Agreement. The European Union will not renegotiate the Paris Agreement.
(Applause)
The 29 articles of the Agreement must be implemented and not renegotiated.
Climate action does not need more distractions. We have spent 20 years negotiating; now is the time for action and now is the time for implementation.
I see a strengthened resolve from all those who care about the future of the planet and who see the opportunities of a modern economy. This includes partners within the United States, such as the states of California, Washington, New York, which, taken together, would be the world’s fourth economy. As the European Union, we will step up our climate diplomacy and collaboration with other partners. For example, climate action was a key topic of the EU-China Summit on 2 June. In September, Miguel Cañete will co-host a major gathering with his Chinese and Canadian counterparts to implement the Paris Agreement and accelerate the clean energy transition. We are also reaching out to our partners in the African Union and the ACP countries. We adopted joint statements expressing our common resolve and we will work hard to have a clear message coming out of the G20 Summit, or at least from 19 of its members, in July. In Paris, the world committed to helping vulnerable countries adapt to the consequences of climate change. The decision of the US to go back on its pledge to the Green Climate Fund leaves a major void. From our side, we stand firm to our commitments and we will work with third countries to mobilise the right public and private investments.
You can count on the efforts of the Commission to keep the momentum going on the implementation of the Paris Agreement. In return, we hope to count on your support to make the European Union’s commitments a reality and make swift progress on all Commission proposals related to that goal. When we ratified the Paris Agreement in record time, this House showed its commitment to climate action. We need to keep the same spirit, more than ever.
Manfred Weber, im Namen der PPE-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident, sehr geehrte Frau Präsidentin! Ich möchte zunächst zum Ausdruck bringen, dass wir durch Ihre Anwesenheit und durch Ihre Rede geehrt sind. Ein herzliches Willkommen!
Bei der Frage, wie wir mit den Entscheidungen von Donald Trump umgehen, steht zunächst eine ganz banale Frage im Raum, nämlich die Frage: Wie halten wir es mit Fakten, wie gehen wir mit Tatsachen um? Die großen amerikanischen Universitäten – Harvard, Stanford, Georgetown, Yale – und sogar 82 % der amerikanischen Bürger bringen zum Ausdruck, dass für sie klar ist, dass Klimawandel eine Realität ist. Für uns ist es genauso klar: Der Wandel kommt, er wird groß, er wird dramatisch, und es geht nur noch um die Frage, wie stark wir ihn mit gemeinsamen Anstrengungen begrenzen können. Wir als Europäer dürfen stolz sein, dass wir mit anderen gemeinsam die driving force waren, vorangegangen sind und den Paris-Vertrag erst möglich gemacht haben. Die Europäer werden deswegen den Ausstieg Amerikas nicht akzeptieren und dem nicht folgen.
Die emotionale Frage, die im Raum steht, ist: Wie reagiert man darauf? Zunächst natürlich mit etwas Frustration ob der Entwicklung in den Vereinigten Staaten. Aber dann, wenn man ein paar Sekunden darüber nachdenkt, auch mit umso mehr Entschiedenheit, die hervorkommt – wegen der Verantwortung für die folgenden Generationen und auch wegen des Wissens, dass die Frage des Klimawandels auch einen Modernisierungsschub für unsere Wirtschaft anstoßen wird. Selbst amerikanische Konzerne wie Exxon sprechen sich ja dafür aus, dass man die Klimaziele nicht aufgibt, weil sie erkennen, dass darin auch eine große Chance besteht, wenn wir es mit der Wirtschaft anpacken, diesen Wandel anzustoßen.
Donald Trump negiert die Fakten, Donald Trump entscheidet sich gegen den Willen seiner eigenen US-Bürger, Donald Trump wird keine neuen Jobs mit diesen Entwicklungen, mit dieser Entscheidung schaffen. Und deswegen begeht Donald Trump mit dieser Entscheidung einen großen, einen historischen Fehler. „America First“ ist Egoismus. „America First“ ist bezogen auf den Abbruch von Beziehungen. Vielleicht sollten wir dem ein „Europe First“ entgegenstellen. „Europe First“ ist der Ansatz von Partnerschaft, von Miteinander, davon, gemeinsam Probleme lösen zu wollen. Insofern braucht Europa weniger „America First“ und mehr „Europe First“.
Gianni Pittella, a nome del gruppo S&D. – Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signora Heine, grazie innanzitutto. La bellezza e la vulnerabilità delle Isole Marshall sono la cifra del nostro pianeta e sono le direzioni opposte verso le quali possiamo andare, grazie alle nostre scelte o a causa delle nostre scelte. Possiamo andare verso la bellezza, la salute e la sicurezza del pianeta, ma possiamo andare anche verso il disastro.
Un tweet – lui ama i tweet – a Donald Trump. Non pensavo che ci potesse essere un Presidente degli Stati Uniti peggiore di George Bush, ma devo ricredermi perché non c'è mai limite al peggio. Ha raggiunto l'apice del peggio, spero non lo superi, e sta conducendo verso il disastro il pianeta, ma noi lo fermeremo. Noi, insieme alle forze progressiste del mondo, noi come forze europee, ma insieme a tutte le grandi realtà sociali, politiche, istituzionali, associative e associative non governative, noi insieme fermeremo il disastro di Trump. L'Europa deve fare l'Europa, come ha fatto nel corso degli anni quando ha costruito il mercato unico. Era un grande obiettivo, e oggi questo deve essere il grande obiettivo.
Non siamo ingenui. Trump fa questo non solo perché è un po' così, ma perché vuole ridurre i costi delle produzioni americane. Questa è competizione sleale e noi dobbiamo prendere le contromisure, che significa anche pensare a dazi. Pensiamoci, ma certamente, se si fa competizione sleale, noi dobbiamo saper rispondere. Abbiamo un dovere, quello di preservare la prospettiva di vita, di bellezza e di salute per i nostri figli, per i nostri nipoti, per il mondo intero.
Julie Girling, on behalf of the ECR Group. – Mr President, I would like to thank very much President Heine for coming here today and for her clear leadership and inspiration to the High Ambition Group.
For those of us who have struggled perhaps a little bit with how to address Donald Trump, what tone to adopt towards him – after all, he is a legitimately elected world leader – he has now solved my problem, because I am very happy to publicly and loudly say that this, and his action, is reckless. It is myopic and it is totally irresponsible.
It is made even more contemptible by the fact that we now know that he has decided that climate change is real. He has stopped his denying of it. He says it is real and indeed his ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, has confirmed that for us. So that makes his decision even more contemptible. He is not even pretending any more that he does not believe in climate change.
We can also see that he has a complete misunderstanding of the Paris Agreement and what the US’s obligations are under that Agreement. He seems to think that it will be giving US industry an extremely unfair position and totally ignoring the fact that actually it gives the US a huge amount of flexibility in how they deal with making sure that they stand up for their obligations.
And given the modest commitments that the US is being asked to make – let us face it, for many people what the US is being asked under Paris is actually still way underperforming Europe and many of the Member States in Europe – it seems even more the case that ‘the Donald’ should be asked exactly where he gets his information and his advice from, because with higher per capita emissions than the world average, the US has a moral duty to significantly reduce its emissions and ensure that global average temperatures remain below 2 degrees C.
Maybe we should say that the next human-caused climate disasters should be called Hurricane Donald, Super Drought Pruitt, or Tropical Cycle Bannon, because that is going to be his legacy.
Catherine Bearder, on behalf of the ALDE Group. – Mr President, President Trump is not the only threat to our global environment and the beautiful island states such as yours, President Heine, and thank you for coming to talk to us. Climate change sceptics in the UK also threaten European global protection. The British elections delivered a disastrous result for our Prime Minister, and Ms May battles on – she has appointed a new Environment Secretary, Mr Michael Gove. Gove has a shocking record. When he was Education Secretary, Gove wanted to get climate change off the school curriculums. He voted to sell off all of England’s publicly-owned and protected forests and woodlands. He has voted 12 times against measures to prevent climate change, including opposing limits on greenhouse gas emissions. He supports fracking and he supports drilling in national parks. He has opposed refitting homes to stop carbon loss. To quote a past colleague of this House, Caroline Lucas, who is now an MP: ‘Michael Gove is an environmental disaster waiting to happen’. During the Brexit referendum campaign, Gove stated that he had enough of experts. Well, frankly, the experts and the public have had enough of him, too, just as they have had of President Trump.
Colleagues, please be tough during the Brexit negotiations when it comes to the environment, as you will be with Mr Trump. Climate deniers like Gove need to know they have international treaty commitments that they cannot evade. He will try to slip and slide on environmental agreements. So, given the election results last week, it remains to be seen whether the UK will actually leave the EU. But if we do, the UK, just like the US, must fulfil its international environmental obligations. Environmental challenges do not stop at borders. Our environment, our planet, is interlinked, especially when it comes to the most vulnerable states on the planet. We must work together to protect it in the UK, in the US, and of course driven here by the European Union.
Kateřina Konečná, za skupinu GUE/NGL. – Drazí kolegové a především vážená paní prezidentko, děkuji, že jste dnes mezi nás přišla a děkuji také za Vaše slova.
Donald Trump se rozhodl odstoupit od klimatické dohody z Paříže. Zjevně by se tak rád vrátil do středověku, kde bylo popírání vědecky ověřitelných faktů na denním pořádku. Bohužel i přes všechny jeho tweety je změna klimatu nezadržitelná. Jak jsme dnes měli možnost slyšet, celé národy a státy jsou ohroženy tímto procesem, který s sebou přináší vzrůstající hladiny moře i drtivá sucha. Klimatické změny taktéž způsobené člověkem mohou v dalších letech způsobit migrační vlnu takových rozměrů, že současná krize bude v jejím porovnání pouhou banalitou. Co chce s tímto vším pan Trump dělat, neřekl. Zjevně by mu vyhovovala role neomezeného vládce pustiny.
Kam až vede bezohledné využívání zdrojů a nedbání na ochranu životního prostředí nám dnes a denně ukazuje např. situace okolo palmového oleje v Indonésii. Dnes více než jindy musíme ukázat světu svoji jednotu, odhodlání a správnou cestu.
Ska Keller, im Namen der Verts/ALE-Fraktion. – Herr Präsident! Vielen Dank, Frau Präsidentin, dass Sie heute hier sind, dass Sie uns nochmal vor Augen führen, was es eigentlich heißt, was die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels für die Menschen in den meistbetroffenen Gebieten bedeuten. Ich kann Ihnen nur versichern: Wir Grüne werden uns weiter dafür einsetzen, dass wir mehr gegen den Klimawandel tun, und ich freue mich sehr, dass viele Kolleginnen und Kollegen, die heute schon gesprochen haben, auch gesagt haben: Ja, sie unterstützen das Pariser Abkommen, und sie finden die Entscheidung von Trump falsch.
Aber es reicht nicht, Trump zu kritisieren und uns dann auf dem moral high ground zu sehen und zu sagen: Wir sind besser dran. Nein! Die Ziele, die wir bis jetzt vorgegeben haben, von der Kommission hier verabschiedet haben, sind auf einem optimistischen Szenario aufgebaut. Sie werden uns nicht garantieren, dass wir noch nicht einmal zwei Grad einhalten werden. Aber für Inseln wie die von Frau Präsidentin Heine reicht das nicht. Wir müssen auf unter zwei Grad bleiben. Wir sollten maximal 1,5 Grad anpeilen – nur dann haben diese vielen Inseln eine Möglichkeit zu überleben. Wir müssen also jetzt mehr tun – wir als Europäerinnen und Europäer.
Wir sind der drittgrößte Verursacher von CO2—Emissionen, aber wir als Europäische Union haben auch die Kraft und die Technologie, etwas gegen den Klimawandel zu tun. Wir sind nicht eine der ärmsten Nationen der Welt. Wir haben die Möglichkeiten, und wir müssen vorangehen. Wir können hier wirklich Führungskraft zeigen, wir können vorangehen, und wir können dazu beitragen, dass es mit dem Klima weitergeht. Und gerade wenn Trump aussteigt, können wir nicht sagen: Na gut, die USA machen jetzt nichts, dann machen wir jetzt auch nichts mehr, sondern wir müssen diesen Verlust der USA kompensieren. Denn wenn wir später von zukünftigen Generationen gefragt werden: Ja warum habt ihr nicht mehr getan? Dann können wir nicht sagen: Ja der Trump wollte nicht mehr. Sondern wir müssen unseren eigenen Anteil steigern – wir hier im Parlament, aber auch die Regierungen.
Wenn ich dann sehe, wie zum Beispiel die Bundesregierung in Deutschland sich zwar immer für ein Familienbild vor dem Gletscher aufstellt, aber gleichzeitig den größten Verschmutzern bei der Vergabe von CO2-Zertifikaten entgegenkommt oder den harten CO2-Normen bei Autos im Wege steht, dann geht das einfach nicht zusammen. Das passt nicht zur Führungsrolle Europas, und das passt nicht zum Kampf gegen den Klimawandel.
Dabei haben wir wirklich eine Chance, mit dem Kampf, mit Energieeffizienz und mit erneuerbaren Energien gute neue Jobs mit echter Zukunftsperspektive zu schaffen. Es liegt allein am politischen Mut – den müssen wir aufbringen. Der Planet wartet nicht auf uns, der kann auch ohne uns – aber wir nicht ohne ihn und wir nicht ohne ein verträgliches Klima. Wir können es schaffen – wir müssen es nur wollen, daran denke ich.
President. – ThePresident of the Marshall Islands and I are leaving the plenary. Madam President, thank you for your engagement and for your speech. Thank you for your cooperation with the European Union. The European Union and the European Parliament will support your position.
(Applause)
IN THE CHAIR: MAIREAD McGUINNESS Vice-President
Rosa D'Amato, a nome del gruppo EFDD. – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, secondo alcuni calcoli, l'uscita degli Stati Uniti dagli accordi di Parigi porterebbe ad un aumento teorico di circa 1,4 milioni tonnellate di CO2 per anno fino al 2025 e comporterebbe danni seri all'economia e all'agricoltura.
Stiamo parlando di numeri abnormi davanti ai quali non possiamo far finta di nulla. Nell'era della quarta rivoluzione industriale dell'economia circolare, dell'attuazione dell'Agenda 2030 e dell'Accordo di Parigi, questa è la sede ideale dove programmare un futuro più sostenibile.
L'Unione europea ha delle responsabilità non solo verso le proprie popolazioni ma anche verso i paesi meno sviluppati del pianeta tutto. È arrivato il momento di riprendere una posizione centrale nello scenario scientifico e tecnologico e di incrementare gli investimenti nel settore. Ma se questa Europa è la stessa del Dieselgate e dei finanziamenti alle fonti fossili per mezzo dell'EFSI e della BCE, allora è evidente che per cambiare clima occorre prima di tutto un cambiamento del clima politico.
Harald Vilimsky, im Namen der ENF-Fraktion. – Frau Präsidentin, meine sehr verehrten Damen und Herren! Man glaubt gar nicht, wie viele edle Retter des Weltklimas hier vorhanden sind, wenn man durch die Garage des Hauses geht und die vielen sechszylindrigen und achtzylindrigen Fahrzeuge sieht mit einem entsprechend hohen Ausstoßvolumen. Man glaubt es auch nicht, wenn man sich das Besuchsprogramm des Hauses, des Europäischen Parlaments ansieht, wo Mandatare in die entlegensten Winkel der Welt fliegen, um über wichtige Themen wie Gender Mainstreaming und anderes zu diskutieren. Es ist aber alles recht und alles gut, wenn es um USA-Bashing geht, wenn es um Trump-Bashing geht; da sind der Scheinheiligkeit keine Grenzen gesetzt.
Schauen wir uns dieses Klimaabkommen, das Sie so hochjubeln, einmal im Detail an. Monsanto ist am Verhandlungstisch gesessen, die Nuklearlobby ist am Verhandlungstisch gesessen. In Wahrheit ist es ein Kniefall vor der Atomlobby. Und das wahre Ziel, nämlich erneuerbare Energien zu fördern, das wurde verabsäumt. Und daher kann ich nur an Sie appellieren: Seien Sie ehrlich in der Frage des Klimaschutzes, des Naturschutzes, und beenden Sie Ihre Scheinheiligkeit!
Bruno Gollnisch (NI). – Madame la Présidente, la décision du président Trump de retirer les États-Unis de l’accord de Paris a soulevé un tollé mondial. Même le président de Goldman Sachs, qu’on ne savait pas si soucieux de la planète, y est allé de sa petite condamnation.
Pour ma part, je ne dramatiserai pas cette décision. D’abord, parce que l’accord de Paris est très peu contraignant juridiquement, quoi que l’on en ait dit, et que rien ne permet de forcer son application par ses signataires. Il est avant tout un engagement politique. Ensuite, le retrait des États-Unis ne sera effectif qu’en 2020, et beaucoup d’autorités infrafédérales aux États-Unis – les États, les grandes villes – ont déclaré vouloir mener des politiques conformes aux accords. Enfin, parce que les Américains ont le sens des affaires: s’il s’avère lucratif d’investir dans l’économie verte et les secteurs économiques qui vont avec, ils le feront.
Mon inquiétude porte plutôt sur la perspective d’une surenchère européenne que, sous prétexte de compenser les effets supposés de ce retrait, l’on imposerait à notre économie.
Je remarque que M. Pittella est devenu favorable aux droits de douane pour conjurer la concurrence déloyale quand il s’agit des États-Unis. J’espère qu’il le sera autant dans d’autres circonstances.
Françoise Grossetête (PPE). – Madame la Présidente, personne aujourd’hui ne pourra dire qu’il ne savait rien du changement climatique: la répétition des catastrophes naturelles, de plus en plus violentes, touchant des territoires déshérités et donc des populations pauvres, en les appauvrissant un peu plus, la montée des eaux, qui menace les côtes et les îles, la sécheresse enfin, responsable de la famine en Afrique de l’Est, sont malheureusement une réalité et risquent à terme de pousser à l’exode des milliers, voire des millions de personnes, sans parler de notre biodiversité, mise en péril aussi.
Le président Trump a retiré les États-Unis de l’accord de Paris. C’est là une décision irresponsable qui «ringardise» son propre pays, en empêchant les Américains d’entrer dans la modernité.
La protection assumée de notre environnement et la révolution technologique qu’elle entraîne, c’est cela la modernité.
Nos entreprises ont bien compris cet enjeu, elles qui investissent pour accéder rapidement aux technologies les plus efficaces. Elles défendent leurs emplois et elles ont notre soutien.
L’accord de Paris fut un succès mondial. L’Europe s’est engagée sur une voie claire et visionnaire pour défendre le climat. Certains, ici dans cette enceinte, trouvent que notre législation va trop loin, mais non, nous sommes tout simplement ambitieux et responsables pour les générations futures.
Kathleen Van Brempt (S&D). – Madam President, President Trump made his announcement to leave the Paris Agreement, ironically, in the rose garden, and the question is: how should we react? We can be very angry, we can be frustrated – but let us not be afraid, and let us stand united. We have heard many of our political leaders in Europe say that we will keep up the engagements in the Paris Agreement. It is nice to give good speeches, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and the first thing we need to do in Europe is implement the Paris Agreement in full. When we have a vote on the Effort Sharing, when we discuss renewable energy, when we discuss energy efficiency, let us move up and make it more ambitious. That is our goal.
Second, we always say that Europe is divided – with two speeds, or three speeds. Well, we can also say that in the United States we have more than one speed: we have the Trump administration, but we also have states, cities, mayors, companies that have said they will implement the Paris Agreement and that they will keep on track with it. Let us not turn our back on the United States and their people, but work together with these cities and states. I think that is also what the European Commission should do: to make sure that at international level we keep up with China, India, but also with the citizens of the United States. Rest assured, Trump is not the rightful representative of the people in the United States, because they do stand with the Paris Agreement and with combating climate change.
Hans-Olaf Henkel (ECR). – Frau Präsidentin, meine Damen und Herren! In seiner Fernsehserie verabschiedete der Unternehmer Trump seine Kandidaten meistens mit dem Satz: „You are fired.“ Nun meint er ja, er müsste sein Land so führen wie ein Unternehmen. Als jemand, der sein Leben immer in der Industrie verbracht hat, kann ich Ihnen sagen: Er führt sein Land nicht so, wie man sein Unternehmen führen sollte. Statt neue Produkte zu entwickeln, setzt er auf alte Technik. Statt auf den Rat seiner eigenen Forscher zu hören, setzt er auf alternative Fakten. Statt sich um die langfristige Gesundheit seines Unternehmens zu kümmern, setzt er es für kurzfristige Ziele aufs Spiel.
Wenn ich Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender dieses Unternehmens wäre, würde ich Herrn Trump morgen sagen: „You are fired.“
Marisa Matias (GUE/NGL). – Senhora Presidente, o facto de Donald Trump ter abandonado o Acordo de Paris é uma má notícia para todos nós, mas, se concordamos com isto, temos de ser coerentes e, por isso, quero aqui deixar um apelo.
Ainda há poucos dias votámos na comissão ITRE a posição deste Parlamento sobre o dossiê LULUCF e ganhou o lobby do negócio da floresta. Este primeiro voto que fizemos no Parlamento não põe apenas em causa o Acordo de Paris, como faz recuar a própria legislação europeia em matéria de combate às alterações climáticas.
É por isso que apelo a este Parlamento, à Comissão Europeia e ao Conselho, para que façam a transposição do Acordo Paris como deve ser, sem truques na contabilização das emissões e sem hipocrisia. Não podemos contar apenas as árvores que são plantadas e ignorar aquelas que são cortadas.
Ainda estamos a tempo de emendar a mão. Apelo a este Parlamento, ao Conselho e à Comissão. O LULUCF deve ser um dossiê que transpõe o Acordo de Paris e não que nos faz recuar em matéria de alterações climáticas.
Bas Eickhout (Verts/ALE). – Madam President, I would like to thank everyone for these heart-breaking speeches on climate change. It is really great to hear how everyone is involved in it and concerned and, well, let us see, in half an hour you can vote and you will add loopholes to our own climate legislation watering down our targets for 2030. There might be some inconsistency with some of you guys, but I am sure you are going to work on that.
I also want to thank the Council for being here because you have been listening to the Marshall Islands. I know that you are even worse on the effort-sharing regulation. You are playing for more loopholes all over the place. I really hope when the Environment Council is meeting next week, you still have in your mind the speech by the President of the Marshall Islands, and act accordingly. I think that is important.
And to the Commission I would say: one of the clear demands we got from the Marshall Islands is to come now, before 2018, with your 2050 road map. Are you going to do that? Or is this going to be for the next Commission, postponing, postponing? I shall be silent now because I am going to listen to Mr Helmer and, if I understand The Guardian correctly, you are going to step down in July; so if this is your final speech I am happy to listen to it.
Roger Helmer (EFDD). – Madam President, may I, from this Hemicycle, send congratulations to President Trump for his wisdom and courage in pulling America out of the climate agreement in Paris and resisting the pressure from the green lobby, of which we have heard so much today. In fact, he has given America a huge competitive advantage in terms of industry and exports, which will be damaging to Europe if we cling to the outmoded climate passion that we have heard in this Hemicycle.
Some colleagues will be familiar with the peer-reviewed paper published recently by Danish statistician Bjørn Lomborg, in which he estimates the cost of Paris at USD 100 billion by the end of the century, when the impact on climate will be 0.17 °C. In other words, an eye—watering amount of money for virtually no return. This is pure virtue signalling and gesture politics; we should be ashamed of ourselves.
Janice Atkinson (ENF). – Madam President, last month colleagues from across six nations this side of the House wrote to President Trump, urging him to pull out of the Paris climate agreement – and he did. He is putting American jobs first. He is fighting against global interests; he is protecting the nation state; he is trying to protect his citizens from terror. He is a president that has the guts to stand up to the global elites and their green hobbies. He puts American people first, instead of virtue signalling with other people’s money.
Trump’s policies, like Brexit, have really challenged the status quo in this place, and that is why you are all so frustrated now. So good luck, President Trump. I wish you well, along with Steve Bannon, your chief strategist. You are winning, and we are winning, despite the rhetoric that goes on – and despite Ms May really messing up. But I am sure all my colleagues across this House would like to join me in wishing President Trump a very happy birthday.
(Applause from some quarters)
Peter Liese (PPE). – Frau Präsidentin! Ich hatte die große Ehre, an der Delegation des Europäischen Parlaments bei der Klimakonferenz in Marrakesch teilzunehmen. Und da gab es natürlich einen Schock, als bekannt wurde, dass Präsident Trump die Wahl gewonnen hat, weil wir natürlich mit der jetzigen Entwicklung rechnen mussten. Aber es war schon in Marrakesch ganz klar: Der Rest der Welt wird sich nicht beirren lassen und an Paris festhalten. Ich danke Jean-Claude Juncker und Miguel Arias Cañete für ihre klaren Aussagen in dieser Beziehung. Und auch das Parlament wird nicht nur reden, sondern handeln.
Bas Eickhout geht jetzt leider gerade raus. Er sprach von loopholes. Aber er sollte nicht verschweigen, dass wir heute Mittag über das effort sharing abstimmen, und die EVP stimmt dem Kompromiss zu, der eine ambitionierte Umsetzung von Paris vorsieht – gleichzeitig realistisch, aber ambitioniert. Und ich bin froh, dass wir nach Diskussionen mit meiner Fraktion zu dieser Zustimmung kommen. Klimaschutz bedeutet eine Chance für die Wirtschaft, und Trump wird den USA das meiste Leid zufügen, weil er die Zukunft verpasst.
Miriam Dalli (S&D). – Qiegħda hawnhekk nirrappreżenta dawk iċ-ċittadini li huma mħassba u li jridu li tittieħed azzjoni, bis-serjetà, biex nindirizzaw it-tibdil fil-klima - anke mill-istituzzjonijiet Ewropej u anke minn din il-Kamra. U xi kultant nibda nisma’ d-diskorsi u lanqas nemmen lil widnejja, għaliex għandna nies li lanqas biss qegħdin jirrealizzaw li, jekk l-ekosistemi tad-dinja se jmutu, l-ekonomiji se jikkollassaw għal kollox.
U bir-rispett kollu, meta konna qegħdin nitkellmu u ninnegozjaw il-Ftehim ta’ Pariġi, ħassejt li kien hemm kunsens li stajna naħdmu lkoll flimkien biex insalvaw il-futur tal-pjaneta tagħna. U kont qed nittama li din kienet il-bidu ta’ rivoluzzjoni li se twassal għal tibdil li jsir fi żminijietna. Id-deċiżjoni tal-President Amerikan li jirtira mill-Ftehim ta’ Pariġi, irridu nammettu, hija daqqa ta’ ħarta. Però dan l-ostakolu mhux se jnaqqas mid-determinazzjoni tagħna li naġixxu. Irridu mmexxu, irridu nispiraw u rridu nempawerjaw. Għaliex dan huwa ż-żmien li għandna nieħdu azzjoni b’saħħitha: il-mument fejn niddeċiedu bħala kontinent wieħed magħqud fuq liema naħa tal-istorja rridu nkunu.
U dan huwa suġġett b’impatt dirett fuq id-drittijiet tal-bniedem. Qegħdin nitkellmu, kif smajna wkoll, dwar id-dritt għall-ikel, id-dritt għall-ilma nadif, id-dritt għas-saħħa, id-dritt għall-edukazzjoni, id-dritt għas-sigurtà tal-bniedem. Huma proprju dawn in-nies, li huma l-aktar vulnerabbli li lanqas qegħdin jikkontribwixxu għat-tibdil fil-klima, u s-solidarjetà trid tkun magħhom.
Jadwiga Wiśniewska (ECR). – Pani Przewodnicząca! Porozumienie paryskie daje każdej stronie możliwość wykorzystania swoich uwarunkowań. Nie zakłada dekarbonizacji, docenia rolę lasów w bilansie emisji CO2, stawia na zrównoważony rozwój. Po wycofaniu się Stanów Zjednoczonych z porozumienia paryskiego unijna polityka klimatyczna powinna być zrewidowana. Przestrzegam jednak przed bezmyślną reakcją polegającą na jednostronnym zawyżaniu europejskich ambicji, które miałyby wypełnić lukę po Stanach Zjednoczonych. Nasze samotne wysiłki nie uratują świata, wręcz przeciwnie, spowodują, że europejski przemysł będzie jeszcze mniej konkurencyjny. Apeluję, Panie Komisarzu, o to, aby porozumienie paryskie było fundamentem europejskiej polityki klimatycznej niezakładającej dekarbonizacji, doceniającej rolę lasów w bilansie emisji CO2 i stawiającej na zrównoważony rozwój.
Yannick Jadot (Verts/ALE). – Madame la Présidente, quelle belle unanimité dans ce Parlement contre Donald Trump. Effectivement, la décision du président américain est irresponsable et criminelle.
Mais, franchement, si les discours sur le climat et sur l’environnement avaient dû sauver la planète, ça se saurait. La crédibilité d’une diplomatie climatique, la crédibilité d’un leadership, c’est la crédibilité de l’action climatique qui est posée. Trop souvent, la Commission européenne comme le Conseil, comme la droite de ce Parlement, à force de trop écouter les lobbies du nucléaire, du pétrole, du gaz, de l’agriculture intensive, de l’exploitation forestière et du transport ne voient pas toutes les PME, les chercheurs, les start-up, les collectivités et les citoyens qui veulent faire plus en faveur du climat et qui construisent aujourd’hui le monde de demain.
S’il y a un beau projet pour l’Europe, c’est de nous réconcilier avec l’avenir, avec le climat. C’est de créer les emplois. Et là, nous réconcilierons les Européens avec l’Europe et nous réconcilierons l’Europe avec le reste du monde. Alors, agissez, agissez, agissez!
Marie-Christine Arnautu (ENF). – Madame la Présidente, dans cet hémicycle climatisé à outrance et empli de députés venus par avion des quatre coins de l’Europe, cette énième condamnation du président des États-Unis me semble aussi hypocrite que celle des Saoudiens dénonçant le soutien du Qatar au mouvement djihadiste.
Sa décision est pourtant celle d’un chef d’État démocratiquement élu, qui n’a jamais caché son climato-scepticisme et qui n’a qu’un but, protéger les emplois américains. Vous feriez mieux d’en prendre exemple, vous qui êtes incapables de lutter contre le chômage ou le terrorisme, mais qui prétendez agir sur le climat.
Il est urgent, pourtant, de se préoccuper des emplois menacés de nos travailleurs, ceux que les conséquences de vos politiques n’ont pas encore jetés au chômage et dont les entreprises subiront désormais une nouvelle baisse de compétitivité face à leurs redoutables concurrentes américaines.
M. Trump a un grand tort en effet, celui ne pas faire semblant de vouloir respecter un accord, non contraignant juridiquement, mais au contraire d’affirmer officiellement ce qu’il croit être bon pour ses concitoyens.
Mais cela vous est tellement difficile de l’admettre, tant cela est différent de votre façon de penser et d’agir.
Adina-Ioana Vălean (PPE). – Madam President, I think it is fair to say that there is an agreement in this House that we need to continue to fulfil our commitments to the Paris Agreement, and I hope this will be seen in the vote which is following on effort sharing, which I hope will have the support of this House.
The problem still exists in the support that the Member States are giving to the Paris Agreement targets, because even if we adopt policies with ambition, then we have to have the support of the Member States – we need to implement this. This House cannot have a very good say. We need the Member States to put the money where they promised they would put the money and to implement these policies we are agreeing upon.
The weakness of the agreement lies in its voluntary nature, so the implementation will depend very much on how the global economy will fare. The Paris Agreement, we need to say, makes economic sense, because it will create more jobs, more prosperity and sustainable growth in our economy. This is something President Trump needs to find out.
Gilles Pargneaux (S&D). – Madame la Présidente, Monsieur le Commissaire, l’Union européenne doit apporter deux réponses au président Trump.
Tout d’abord, à l’occasion de la COP23, qui aura lieu à Bonn, du 7 au 16 novembre prochain: prenons ce leadership pour permettre au monde, derrière les propositions concrètes de l’Union, de combattre cet attentisme ou cette décision ridicule du président américain.
Puis, bien évidemment, on le sait aujourd’hui, en Amérique, les réactions négatives à l’égard de M. Trump sont importantes: de nombreuses entreprises et villes, mais aussi
trente États sur cinquante condamnent son attitude.
Par conséquent, Monsieur le Commissaire, prenons contact avec ces États, avec ces entreprises américaines et avec ces villes pour installer une coopération avec l’Union dans les mois à venir à l’occasion de la COP23.
Ivo Belet (PPE). – Wat de positie van de Verenigde Staten ook is, we zijn de weg ingeslagen van een CO2-arme en energie-efficiënte economie en er is geen weg terug. Dat is uiteraard de juiste keuze, ook en vooral omdat ze ons minder afhankelijk maakt van onbetrouwbare olie- en gasleveranciers.
Dus ambitie, zeker ook in de hervorming rond de verdeling van de inspanningen, waar we straks over stemmen. Maar ook: niet naïef zijn. Kijk naar de hervorming van het ETS, waarin we maatregelen willen om de koolstoflekkage tegen te gaan.
En tegelijkertijd verder werken aan die hervorming van het ETS, dat systeem robuuster maken en het vooral koppelen aan systemen zoals in Californië. Want we hebben sterke bondgenoten in de Verenigde Staten. Laten we ook verder werken aan een systeem, aan een gelijk speelveld voor industriële producenten die voor Europa willen produceren. Daarvoor kunnen we het ETS ook succesvol inzetten.
Jeppe Kofod (S&D). – Madam President, we just had our 80th Transatlantic Legislators’ Dialogue (TLD) with our American counterparts in Congress after Trump announced his withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. I have to say with our American counterparts in Congress, it was a difficult conversation with them, but it is needed and what Trump did is actually disrespectful not only to his own people, but to people all over the world and for the 194 States that are there and committed to fighting climate change.
I also have to say that this withdrawal is actually placing a lot of question marks over the US government; it has further implications for the US. Can the US be trustworthy when it has to do negotiations and new global and international deal in the future? That is a question we have to ask ourselves. It is weakening our position to take collective action on a very important issue. But as others have said, there is a coalition: cities, States, people all over the world, including in the United States, that want change and they will continue despite Trump’s decision. Let us stand together and work together and we will succeed.
Francesc Gambús (PPE). – Señora presidenta, señor comisario. Gracias también a la presidenta Heine por su testimonio y su inspiración.
El presidente de los Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, ha demostrado la incapacidad de su administración para participar en el liderazgo de la lucha contra el cambio climático. La Unión Europea, que ya había liderado las negociaciones previas del Acuerdo de París, debe hacerse mayor y tomar el mando para liderar esta transición hacia una economía hipocarbónica.
Hoy, el 20 % del presupuesto de la Unión es destinado a acciones de lucha contra el cambio climático. Estamos en pleno desarrollo de actualización del mercado de comercio de emisiones y en el establecimiento de una economía circular, y debemos hacer todavía más. Y necesitamos, a su vez, una política industrial que sea sostenible, con la misma ambición en sus tres pilares: económico, de creación de empleo, social y medioambiental.
Y en este sentido —y termino— quiero preguntarle, señor comisario: ¿Qué medidas ha tomado o piensa tomar la Comisión para proteger la economía europea, la industria europea y sus empleos, ante un más que posible dumping ambiental por parte de los Estados Unidos?
Jo Leinen (S&D). – Frau Präsidentin! Der Klimaschutz ist nicht nur eine politische, sondern auch eine moralische Pflicht – das hat die Rede der Präsidentin der Marshallinseln gezeigt. Es wäre völlig unverantwortlich, dass ganze Staaten von der Bildfläche verschwinden, wenn wir die Erderwärmung nicht begrenzen können. Der Schutz des Klimas wird die größte Transformation der Ökonomie seit der ersten industriellen Revolution. Der Abschied von fossilen Energien und hin zu erneuerbaren Energien schafft auch völlig neue Chancen.
Wir in Europa müssen aufpassen, dass wir die neuen Produkte nicht nur kaufen, sondern auch selber produzieren. Die meisten Photovoltaikanlagen werden in China produziert. Die meisten Elektroautos werden demnächst in China produziert. Grüne Städte und Gebäude werden in China produziert. Also, Europa muss sich anstrengen, damit wir den Anschluss nicht verlieren.
Herr Kommissar, ich habe es bedauert, dass beim EU-China-Gipfel keine Erklärung für den Klimaschutz und die gegenseitige Kooperation zustande gekommen ist, denn der globale Klimaschutz braucht leadership. Und das muss Europa in Zusammenhang mit China sein.
Catch-the-eye procedure
Giovanni La Via (PPE). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signora Presidente, il suo discorso è stato molto toccante e incisivo. Siamo tutti vulnerabili, ma soprattutto lo sono le Isole Marshall che sono, con mille isole e 50 000 persone, a rischio quotidiano.
Nonostante le decisioni di Trump, cresce in tutto il mondo una voce critica con annunci di alleanze tra grandi città e Stati federali americani, con le dichiarazioni del resto del mondo e dei cittadini e con l'Europa pronta a giocare un ruolo leader.
Il mondo guarda all'Europa e noi abbiamo già raggiunto obiettivi importanti, a partire dalla rapidissima ratifica dell'accordo di Parigi che ho avuto l'onore di guidare a nome del Parlamento, ma ci impegneremo a fare ancora di più, non dimenticando la necessità di assicurare la competitività del nostro mondo industriale. È ormai dimostrato che la transizione verso la nuova economia sostenibile è anche una strategia vincente da un punto di vista della crescita economica e della creazione di nuovi posti di lavoro, ed è questa la direzione in cui dobbiamo andare.
Signora Presidente, e credo di parlare con la grande maggioranza di noi, sappia che il Parlamento europeo è con voi e l'Europa è con voi.
Maria Grapini (S&D). – Doamnă președintă, domnule comisar, decizia președintelui Trump de a retrage SUA din Acordul privind schimbările climatice i-a creat Uniunii Europene o problemă majoră și trebuie să recunoaștem acest lucru. Unul dintre cei mai mari poluatori ai planetei, SUA, nu dorește să participe la măsurile legate de protecția mediului.
Toți de aici cred că dorim să contribuim la protecția mediului. Există și alt poluator major, China. Uniunea Europeană consider că nu poate prelua singură sarcina salvării planetei. Ce vor face Comisia, Consiliul privind relațiile politice și economice cu cei doi mari poluatori? Vom continua să umplem piața de produse care vin dintr-un mediu poluant și vom dezindustrializa mai departe Europa? Vom distruge locuri de muncă? Vom lăsa tinerii fără locuri de muncă? Eu cred că instituțiile europene, inclusiv noi, Parlamentul, trebuie să ne asumăm responsabilitatea de a negocia orice acord în favoarea cetățenilor europeni. Protejarea climei este vitală pentru planetă și acest lucru trebuie folosit în toate negocierile.
Νεοκλής Συλικιώτης (GUE/NGL). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, η αποχώρηση των ΗΠΑ από τη συμφωνία του Παρισιού δεν πρέπει να ξαφνιάζει. Ο Trump ενίοτε επέκρινε τη συμφωνία χαρακτηρίζοντάς την ως φάρσα που έχει στόχο την αποδυνάμωση της αμερικανικής βιομηχανίας. Λογικό, αφού η νεοφιλελεύθερη πολιτική του Trump θέτει τα συμφέροντα των πολυεθνικών πάνω από την προστασία του περιβάλλοντος. Η αποχώρηση αυτή δεν πρέπει να καταστεί δικαιολογία για τη μη τήρηση των συμφωνηθέντων και από τους υπόλοιπους. Αντιθέτως, η καταστροφική για την ανθρωπότητα πορεία των ΗΠΑ επιβεβαιώνει πως απαιτείται ακόμη μεγαλύτερη δράση από εμάς. Οι δραματικές κλιματικές αλλαγές εκπέμπουν σήμα κινδύνου. Δεν αρκεί λοιπόν να καταδικάζεται η αποχώρηση των ΗΠΑ. Η Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση, σε συνεργασία με την Κίνα και άλλα κράτη, πρέπει να αναπτύξει πρωτοβουλίες, ώστε να στηρίξει έμπρακτα τις αναπτυσσόμενες χώρες, και να αναπτύξει ολοκληρωμένο σχέδιο δράσης για την καταπολέμηση της κλιματικής αλλαγής, για τον τερματισμό της αλόγιστης χρήσης των φυσικών πόρων και για τη μείωση των εκπομπών αερίων του θερμοκηπίου. Εάν δεν τεθούν άμεσα δεσμευτικοί ουσιαστικοί στόχοι, δεν θα μπορέσουμε να σταματήσουμε την καταστροφή του πλανήτη.
Piernicola Pedicini (EFDD). – Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, io devo dire che ho apprezzato moltissimo le parole che sono state dette per lo più in quest'Aula su questo dibattito, in particolare quelle pronunciate dal presidente Pittella in merito a questa scelta scellerata da parte di Donald Trump di uscire dall'accordo di Parigi.
Pittella ha parlato anche di salute, ha parlato di bellezza dei territori. Il problema è che il presidente Pittella milita in un partito che ha deciso di raddoppiare le stazioni petrolifere in Italia, devastando di fatto i nostri territori e i nostri mari. Allora io chiedo: come pensate che si fermi il riscaldamento globale se siete alleati con i petrolieri? La mia domanda è: come pensate di combattere i cambiamenti climatici, se poi quello che dite è esattamente il contrario di ciò che fate?
Ελευθέριος Συναδινός (NI). – Κυρία Πρόεδρε, ανεξαρτήτως των κινήτρων και των δικών μας απόψεων, ο Πρόεδρος Trump, στον βαθμό της αρμοδιότητος που του αναλογεί, έχει το έννομο δικαίωμα να αποσύρει τις ΗΠΑ από τη συμφωνία του Παρισιού. Η ηθική διάσταση της απόφασης αυτής παραμένει, βέβαια, αμφίβολη. Βέβαια, έχει ήδη συντελεστεί η μεταστροφή σε επιλογές πιο φιλικές προς το περιβάλλον. Χρειάζονται όμως περαιτέρω δράσεις και κανονιστικές ρυθμίσεις. Οι αλλαγές που προβλέπονται στη συμφωνία θέτουν τόσο προκλήσεις όσο και ευκαιρίες, οι οποίες όμως δεν κατανέμονται αναλογικά μεταξύ των κρατών. Το ίδιο ισχύει και για τα αποτελέσματα της κλιματικής αλλαγής. Η λήψη νομικά δεσμευτικών δράσεων έναντι των στόχων είναι απαραίτητη, παράλληλα με την ενίσχυση της καινοτομίας. Κανόνας που πρέπει να λαμβάνεται αμελλητί είναι «όποιος ρυπαίνει τιμωρείται». Ειδάλλως, οι συνέπειες της αδράνειας θα είναι ευρύτερες του κόστους οποιασδήποτε προσαρμογής. Το ζητούμενο είναι η επιβίωση της ανθρωπότητος. Όμως, παρά την επείγουσα διάσταση του ζητήματος, δεν θα γίνει αποδεκτό το όποιο ιδιοτελές συμφέρον, που επιβάλλει συμφέροντα ή υπονομεύει κάποιο κράτος, υπό το κάλυμμα ρυθμιστικών πλαισίων.
Elmar Brok (PPE). – Frau Präsidentin, Frau Ratspräsidentin, Herr Kommissar, meine Damen und Herren! Nur kurz zwei Punkte – erstens: Ich glaube, dass Herr Trump da eine Mauer gegen die Migration zu Mexiko bauen will und sich die Zahl der Migranten durch die Verhinderung des Kampfes gegen den Klimawandel noch erhöhen wird. Für uns ist es auch eine existenzielle Frage, dass, wenn wir die Lebensbedingungen in Afrika sichern wollen, der Klimawandel gestoppt wird, weil es sonst Völkerwanderung geben wird. Und deswegen ist Klimawandel auch in diesem Sinn eine wichtige Frage.
Und der zweite Punkt, den ich erwähnen möchte: Wer seine Wirtschaft auf Kohle und Zement stellen will, der muss sehen, dass die innovativen Unternehmen seines Landes dagegen sind. Deswegen sollten wir die Nerven behalten. Die amerikanischen Unternehmungen werden diese rückschrittliche Politik auf Dauer nicht akzeptieren. Trump ist hier dabei, sein eigenes Land in eine ökonomische Katastrophe zu führen.
José Blanco López (S&D). – Señora presidenta, Trump ha cumplido su amenaza. Los Estados Unidos, su administración ―no el país― no serán un aliado de la lucha contra el cambio climático, pero no es esta la única amenaza. De un lado, el negacionismo de gente como Trump. De otro lado, la falta de ambición.
Valoro la defensa hecha por la Comisión de los Acuerdos de París, pero las buenas palabras no pueden ocultar la falta de ambición, por ejemplo, en el paquete de energía limpia. Si queremos que el Acuerdo de París sea algo más que un mal recuerdo de lo que pudo haber sido y no fue es hora de comprometerse a lo grande y dar un salto de gigante en los objetivos europeos. Por ejemplo, en materia de energía renovable, aumentando la ambición y haciendo que los objetivos sean vinculantes para los Estados miembros.
Ahí quiero ver a esta Cámara, como otras veces: con ambición, con compromiso, con luces largas.
(End of catch-the-eye procedure)
Miguel Arias Cañete,Member of the Commission. –Madam President, all the House has listened to the passionate speech of the President of the Marshall Islands calling on us for ambition and action.
The best answer we can give is, first of all, to confirm that we will not renegotiate the Paris Agreement and that we will make all the efforts needed to provide the political momentum behind the Paris implementation. The implementation of the Paris Agreement domestically requires that this House gives full support in moving ahead on making the European Union’s commitment a reality.
The European Union is showing the world the way with our cutting-edge climate policy and there is no stronger statement we can make than swift progress on the ETS, the effort-sharing regulation, the land-use legislation as well as on the Clean Energy for all European Package. When we ratified the Paris Agreement in record time this House showed its commitment to climate action and we need to provide the same spirit now, more than ever.
Internationally we will have to implement the Paris Agreement by working closely with all our allies with ambition and determination. And as Ms Van Brempt and some others clearly stated, we have to keep working with the United States, which is much more than the Federal Government. In the United States the decision to withdraw also strengthened the resolve of those who care for the future of the planet and who understand the economic opportunities of a low-carbon transition.
Hundreds of United States mayors, governors, state attorneys-general, CEOs and others pledged to the United Nations to achieve and eventually exceed America’s commitment to the Paris Agreement in a declaration entitled ‘We Are Still In’ and they will submit a Societal Nationally Determined Contribution to the United Nations, aggregating action by different stakeholders and building upon the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy.
The states of California, Washington and New York founded the United States Climate Alliance, now joined by nine other states. So it is clear that we will continue to have great partners within the United States even if the Federal Government decides to stay on the side of the road.
We will also step up our climate diplomacy. Climate action was a key topic of the European Union-China Summit on 2 June and our cooperation on the ground with China is stepping up a gear. In September the European Union will host a major ministerial gathering with ministers here from China and Minister McKenna from Canada to advance in the implementation of Paris and accelerate their transition.
Finally, my last remark to his House is that the world’s reaction to President Trump’s action proved that the European Union is on the right side of history. Our task ahead is clear. Let’s keep our resolve.
Helena Dalli,President-in-Office of the Council. – Madam President, I thank everyone for their interventions, and despite the US decision to leave, I am encouraged by their support for full implementation of the Paris Agreement and our continuous leadership at international level. We will continue our work on this and on the current climate legislative proposals. I thank you all very much.
Chair. – The debate is closed.
Written statements (Rule 162)
Soledad Cabezón Ruiz (S&D), por escrito. – Los socialistas españoles estamos a favor de la reducción de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero como primera medida urgente a adoptar para mitigar los devastadores efectos del cambio climático. Tras el anuncio de la retirada de los Estados Unidos del Acuerdo de París, la Unión Europea ha de liderar el proceso y redoblar sus esfuerzos como región referente a seguir. Los socialistas queremos evitar que el incremento de la temperatura media global del planeta supere los 2 °C respecto a los niveles preindustriales y defenderemos acometer esfuerzos adicionales para que el calentamiento global no supere los 1,5 °C. De la misma forma defendemos el compromiso de la UE y de sus Estados miembros de continuar en el Acuerdo de París, reconociendo la necesidad de que las emisiones globales toquen techo lo antes posible y asumiendo que esta tarea llevará más tiempo en países en desarrollo. En este sentido apoyamos las contribuciones al Fondo Verde para el Clima, dirigido a que países en vías de desarrollo reduzcan sus emisiones y aumentar la resistencia a las consecuencias del cambio climático. Para ello, los socialistas queremos mantener el objetivo de movilizar 100 000 millones de dólares al año en 2020 y ampliar esta medida hasta 2025.
Eugen Freund (S&D), schriftlich. – Das politische Klima zwischen der EU und den USA hat sich seit dem Amtsantritt von Donald Trump verschlechtert; nun macht der US-Präsident auch noch deutlich, was er vom globalen Klima und dessen Schutz hält. Die Ankündigung Trumps, aus dem Pariser Klimaabkommen auszusteigen, ist ein Rückschritt für die internationalen Bemühungen, den Klimawandel in den Griff zu bekommen. Eine der größten Herausforderungen unserer Zeit ist es, den nachfolgenden Generationen einen sauberen und lebenswerten Planeten zu übergeben. In dieser Hinsicht ist es erschreckend, wie leichtfertig Trump das mühsam errungene Pariser Klimaabkommen aufs Spiel setzt. Auch wenn Trump glaubt, er könne im Hinblick auf den Klimawandel jegliche wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse außer Acht lassen, so wird die Entscheidung am Ende erhebliche Auswirkungen auf die Umwelt und die internationalen Beziehungen haben.
Jetzt sind die Europäische Union und ihre Mitgliedstaaten gefragt. Die EU darf sich von der kurzsichtigen Politik des amerikanischen Präsidenten keinesfalls negativ beeinflussen lassen. Wir Europäerinnen und Europäer müssen jetzt mit Führungskraft vorangehen. Denn Klimaschutz muss trotz Trump weiter verfolgt und – soweit nur irgend möglich – mit ehrgeizigeren Zielen weiter ausgebaut werden. Es muss klar sein: Diese Ankündigung bedeutet auch, dass Europa mit dem unberechenbaren US-Präsidenten auch in einer so bedeutenden Frage wie dem Kampf gegen die Erderwärmung nicht mehr rechnen kann.
Arne Lietz (S&D), schriftlich. – Präsident Trump hat sich für den Ausstieg der USA aus dem Pariser Klimaabkommen entschieden. Damit manövriert er sein Land ins klimapolitische Abseits. Zugleich erhöht er damit indirekt den Druck auf Europa und die anderen Unterzeichnerstaaten, ihre Verpflichtungen einzuhalten und zukünftig noch ambitionierte Ziele festzulegen. Als globale Wirtschaftsmacht steht die EU mehr denn je in der Pflicht, eine Führungsrolle beim internationalen Klimaschutz einzunehmen. Hierfür brauchen wir eine europäische Klimadiplomatie-Strategie. Das Europäische Parlament kann und muss bei der Ausarbeitung dieser Strategie wichtige Impulse geben. Ich setze mich seit einem Jahr dafür ein, dass es einen Initiativbericht zum Thema Klimadiplomatie im Ausschuss für Auswärtiges geben sollte. Beispielsweise plädiere ich dafür, dass unsere parlamentarischen Ausschüsse und Delegationen auf ihren weltweiten Reisen systematisch ihre Gesprächspartner nach der Umsetzung der UN-Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung (SDGs) und ihrer nationalen Klimaschutzziele im Rahmen von COP21 befragen. Das gilt auch für unsere EU-Vertretungen in der Welt. Der Europäische Auswärtige Dienst in Brüssel muss finanziell und personell in die Lage versetzt werden, Europa als zentralen Player in der Klimadiplomatie zu stärken.
Juan Fernando López Aguilar (S&D), por escrito. – Los socialistas españoles estamos a favor de la reducción de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero como primera medida urgente a adoptar para mitigar los devastadores efectos del cambio climático. Tras el anuncio de la retirada de los Estados Unidos del Acuerdo de París, la Unión Europea ha de liderar el proceso y redoblar sus esfuerzos como región referente a seguir. Los socialistas queremos evitar que el incremento de la temperatura media global del planeta supere los 2 °C respecto a los niveles preindustriales y defenderemos acometer esfuerzos adicionales para que el calentamiento global no supere los 1,5 °C. De la misma forma defendemos el compromiso de la UE y de sus Estados miembros de continuar en el Acuerdo de París, reconociendo la necesidad de que las emisiones globales toquen techo lo antes posible y asumiendo que esta tarea llevará más tiempo en países en desarrollo. En este sentido apoyamos las contribuciones al Fondo Verde para el Clima, dirigido a que países en vías de desarrollo reduzcan sus emisiones y aumentar la resistencia a las consecuencias del cambio climático. Para ello, los socialistas queremos mantener el objetivo de movilizar 100 000 millones de dólares al año en 2020 y ampliar esta medida hasta 2025.
Javi López (S&D), por escrito. – Los socialistas españoles estamos a favor de la reducción de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero como primera medida urgente a adoptar para mitigar los devastadores efectos del cambio climático. Tras el anuncio de la retirada de los Estados Unidos del Acuerdo de París, la Unión Europea ha de liderar el proceso y redoblar sus esfuerzos como región referente a seguir. Los socialistas queremos evitar que el incremento de la temperatura media global del planeta supere los 2 °C respecto a los niveles preindustriales y defenderemos acometer esfuerzos adicionales para que el calentamiento global no supere los 1,5 °C. De la misma forma defendemos el compromiso de la UE y de sus Estados miembros de continuar en el Acuerdo de París, reconociendo la necesidad de que las emisiones globales toquen techo lo antes posible y asumiendo que esta tarea llevará más tiempo en países en desarrollo. En este sentido apoyamos las contribuciones al Fondo Verde para el Clima, dirigido a que países en vías de desarrollo reduzcan sus emisiones y aumentar la resistencia a las consecuencias del cambio climático. Para ello, los socialistas queremos mantener el objetivo de movilizar 100 000 millones de dólares al año en 2020 y ampliar esta medida hasta 2025.
József Nagy (PPE), írásban. –Húsz hosszú éven keresztül folytak a tárgyalások a párizsi egyezményről. Végül egy történelmi megállapodás született, amelyben a nemzetközi közösség elkötelezte magát az éghajlatváltozás okainak és következményeinek kezelése mellett. A párizsi egyezmény erős szövetséget képvisel a fejlődő és fejlett országok között, hiszen a világon mindössze két állam nem járult hozzá aláírásával, mégpedig Szíria és Nicaragua. Éppen ezért volt mindannyiunk számára megdöbbentő Trump elnök bejelentése, miszerint az Amerikai Egyesült Államok nem kíván tovább a párizsi egyezmény részese maradni. A vitán a Marshall-szigetek elnöke, Hilda Heine is részt vett, így első kézből hallottunk az éghajlatváltozás által jelentett fenyegetésekről és az ellenük való mindennapi küzdelemről.
Olyankor tudatosítjuk csak igazán, hogy milyen szerencsés is a földrajzi elhelyezkedésünk, amikor a 7 hónapos aszály komoly következményeire, egy tájfun elsöprő erejére vagy a dagály miatt otthon nélkül maradt emberekre gondolunk. A Marshall-szigeteknek pedig ezek közül minden évre jutott egy. Az Európai Uniónak vezető szerepet kell vállalnia a párizsi egyezményben kitűzött célok teljesítése érdekében azért, hogy a következő generációnak egy egészséges bolygót adhassunk át. A megállapodás hosszú távon hozzájárul a gazdasági fejlődéshez és a társadalom jólétéhez is. A kötelezettségekre pedig akár lehetőségekként is tekinthetünk, melyek ambiciózus, modern technológiai vívmányok fejlesztésére ösztönzik a tagállamokat.
Indrek Tarand (Verts/ALE), in writing. – Although President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the COP 21 Climate agreement baffled European countries and other signatories of the agreement, I believe that in the future, when we look back, we can thank President Trump, whose actions have pushed Europe and the rest of the world more together, in order to take climate change much more seriously and to actually take concrete steps to enforce agreements. We have even seen how several US states have gone against President Trump’s decisions, by pledging to fulfil COP 21 commitments voluntarily. We welcome such action, as this is a great example of how unified work of individuals and businesses at a grass-roots level can have an effect on important matters, even if the leaders of the country think otherwise. Climate change is a global challenge, and we need to tackle it, even if we are met with resistance.
Elena Valenciano (S&D), por escrito. – Los socialistas españoles estamos a favor de la reducción de las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero como primera medida urgente a adoptar para mitigar los devastadores efectos del cambio climático. Tras el anuncio de la retirada de los Estados Unidos del Acuerdo de París, la Unión Europea ha de liderar el proceso y redoblar sus esfuerzos como región referente a seguir. Los socialistas queremos evitar que el incremento de la temperatura media global del planeta supere los 2 °C respecto a los niveles preindustriales y defenderemos acometer esfuerzos adicionales para que el calentamiento global no supere los 1,5 °C. De la misma forma defendemos el compromiso de la UE y de sus Estados miembros de continuar en el Acuerdo de París, reconociendo la necesidad de que las emisiones globales toquen techo lo antes posible y asumiendo que esta tarea llevará más tiempo en países en desarrollo. En este sentido apoyamos las contribuciones al Fondo Verde para el Clima, dirigido a que países en vías de desarrollo reduzcan sus emisiones y aumentar la resistencia a las consecuencias del cambio climático. Para ello, los socialistas queremos mantener el objetivo de movilizar 100 000 millones de dólares al año en 2020 y ampliar esta medida hasta 2025.