BRUSSELS. “Nobody questions the objectives, the question is how to achieve them in the best way”. In the words of Ursula von der Leyen at the end of the European Council summit on climate, Europe is divided at the moment of truth, postponed to the next useful opportunity. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% and converting production systems into more sustainable models has a cost that Member States want to see clearly about.
For this reason, in addition to asking the European Commission to put legislative proposals on the plate to translate the agreed objectives into action, it is asked to carry out “an in-depth examination of the environmental, economic and social impact at Member State level”. A request that comes mainly from the east, where countries still heavily dependent on coal (Poland and Romania above all) fear that the transition will be too expensive. The Eastern partners want money from Europe to replace coal with clean energy, but they are all asking financial questions.
The EU has decided to increase the targets for reducing emissions by 2030 from 40% to 55%, modifying the objectives of existing legislation and those that governments had set themselves in those sectors not regulated by the mechanism for the sale of rights of issue (Ets). Increasing national commitments in these areas leads to higher costs. This is why any reference to the division of the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions between countries in the transport, construction and agriculture sectors disappears from the conclusions of the leaders’ summit.
For these three sectors, the large countries dispute the fact that we must rely exclusively on the criterion of the gross domestic product per capita, and would like new parameters. The possibility of an agreement in substance is therefore not possible, and it is acknowledged. “We must ensure that social transitions respect economic situations, which are different,” remembers Michel. Furthermore, the “problem posed by all is the importance of social protection in the process of ecological transition”, measures that have a cost. So, let’s catch up on the next time, that is to say in September, as the Commission will present the legislative proposals on 14 July, as scheduled.
For a dossier that slips one that is anticipated. The leaders give the green light to the agreement on the EU digital certificate for Covid, the document designed for travel and travel within the Schengen area of free movement free from restrictive measures. A formal go-ahead given the agreement reached in the inter-institutional negotiations between Parliament and the EU Council. Now leaders are calling for “swift implementation”. As a next step, in order to facilitate free movement in the EU, the Council Recommendation on easing intra-EU travel measures is called for “by mid-June”.
“It is undeniable that we have made progress in the EU” in terms of vaccinations and reducing the number of infections. “If we continue like this we can reopen our companies safely,” says von der Leyen. Vaccinations and digital certificate are welcome. However, Michel calls for caution. “Speaking of Covid with the leaders, we expressed prudent optimism. We have seen that there is an improvement in the situation but we must remain vigilant ».