Let’s rebuild a fairer, greener and more sustainable trade policy

Greens/EFA proposals for the EU trade policy review

The EU Trade Policy Review is a unique opportunity to fundamentally rethink and reshape our rules to ensure EU trade is fairer, greener, more sustainable and better for people and planet. These are some of the Greens/EFA's highlights.

Energy Charter Treaty

Quote from Anna Cavazzini MEP

The Energy Charter Treaty is incompatible with the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal. We call for a fundamental reform of the Treaty. In the negotiations for its modernisation, the European Commission must work to align the Treaty with the climate objectives of the Paris Agreement and the Green Deal – this means: we must end the protection of fossil fuel investments and remove the highly controversial Investor-State-Dispute-Settlement provisions. If these targets are not achievable, the EU must withdraw from the Energy Charter Treaty.

The Greens/EFA group has just chosen Anna Cavazzini as candidate for the chair of the IMCO Committee

The MEPs of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee will elect the new chair on 26 October. If elected, Anna Cavazzini will succeed Petra De Sutter, who has moved to the new Belgian government as Deputy Prime Minister. Anna Cavazzini, Greens/EFA Member of the IMCO committee, com...

EU-Mercosur agreement

The European Parliament adopted a report opposing its ratification

This is the first time that the European Parliament has sent such a clear signal that the EU-Mercosur agreement in its present form cannot be ratified by the Parliament. The alarming situation in the Amazon played an important role in the vote.

Time to put the European Green Deal at the heart of trade policy

Opinion piece by our MEP's Anna Cavazzini and Saskia Bricmont

Trade Commissioner nominee Valdis Dombrovskis faces a packed in-tray. The EU’s trade policy needs a complete overhaul in order to be adapted to the EU’s new sustainability goals and to harness globalisation.

MEPs vote for emissions reductions in shipping

Environment

Today, MEPs have voted for shipping to be included in the European emissions trading scheme (ETS) from 1 January 2022 and shipping companies will be obliged to reduce their CO2 emissions by at least 40% by 2030. Until now, maritime transport has been excluded from the ETS.

Conclusion of negotiations for a trade agreement between the EU & Mexico

Quote from Anna Cavazzini MEP

The European Commission is still stuck in the old patterns of outdated trade policy. The regulations on environmental protection are insufficient. The Paris Climate Convention is not effectively anchored and there are no obligations to reduce emissions.

A Greens/EFA take on the plenary week

Plenary week, 10-14 February 2020

Greens/EFA priorities for the plenary week included the future EU/UK relationship, conclusion of the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, objection to the energy projects ‘PCI List’, humanitarian situation of refugees at EU external borders, automated decision-making processes, the illegal trade in companion animals in the EU, and the Gender Equality Strategy.

A wasted opportunity to support sustainable development and human rights

Vietnam Trade Agreement

The Greens/EFA group will vote against the agreement on the grounds of the Vietnamese government's continuing human rights abuses, repression of opposition and organised labour, continued deforestation, lack of enforceable human, environmental and social standards and exclusive rights for investors.