The Fit for 55 package 🔴 Live updates

Last year the European Commission proposed the ‘Fit for 55’ package, a road plan on how to reduce emissions in the EU by at least 55 % until 2030. The Fit for 55 package will contain at least twelve new climate proposals and is the next phase of the European Green Deal. It will lay out how the Commission plans to make Europe fit to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050.

Follow here for updates and reactions on the individual votes.

⬇ Scroll down for the latest news and reactions

➡ or navigate to the files through the list in the sidebar (click here on mobile)


💥 BREAKING:

 📅 Wednesday, 13/09/2023

++ Vote on the Sustainable aviation fuels (ReFuelEU Aviation Initiative)
🟢 good outcome / adopted (➕ 518 ➖ 97 0️⃣ 8)

 📅 Tuesday, 12/09/2023

++ Vote on the Renewal Energy Directive 🟢 good outcome / adopted (➕ 430 ➖ 120 0️⃣ 40)
Read our press release
The Greens/EFA Group support the outcome of negotiations on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive. Boosting renewable energy is a key goal of the Green Deal to make the EU fit for climate neutrality, creating new and better jobs, increasing wealth and prosperity and achieving European energy independence. The Greens/EFA Group successfully managed to increase the EU target to a 42.5% share of renewable energies by the year 2030 (compared to 32% by 2030 set in the current Renewable Energy Directive, RED II), with an aspirational target of 45%. Another plus is simplifying and shortening the administrative permit-granting processes applicable to renewable energy projects, related storage and grid connections, without excessive  derogations to existing environmental rules. Realising renewable energy projects, such as installing solar panels on a rooftop, will be much quicker and simpler in the very near future. 



✏️ THE FILES IN DETAIL:

DEPLOYMENT OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS INFRASTRUCTURE (AFIR)

What is it about ?
As part of the Fit for 55 package, the Commission proposed to replace the current Directive on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure with a Regulation. Member States will now be obligated to deploy more charging points for cars and trucks over the coming years and should ensure at least 3.5 million charging stations across Europe by 2030. 

Our key demands
The Greens/EFA Group supports the requirements to make charging infrastructure more user friendly. This will help build consumer and business confidence in electric vehicles and significantly cut air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. However, the report as adopted in committee falls short in a number of areas. Its support for the continued deployment of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for both road and maritime transport will cost EU governments and the private sector millions of Euros every year, with little to no climate or air pollution benefit. Furthermore, the exemption for private jets to use electricity whilst stationary is an inexplicable get-out for a sector that needs to clean up its act.

 📅 Tuesday, 11/07/2023

++Vote on deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure: 🟢 good outcome / adopted (➕ 514 ➖ 52 0️⃣ 74)


ENERGY EFFICIENCY DIRECTIVE (EED)

What is it about ?
Energy efficiency is a crucial prerequisite to reaching Europe’s 2050 climate objectives in a cost-effective manner. Its importance has been further highlighted by the current energy crisis, as Europe urgently seeks ways to end dependency on Russian fossil fuel imports. When energy efficiency is increased by 1%, the gas imports decline by 2.6%. The 2012 Energy efficiency directive (EED), amended in 2018 and proposed to be substantially revised in 2021, is the key legislation setting the overall framework to deliver energy savings across the EU. 

Our key demands
The EED proposes the introduction of an EU energy savings target of 14.5%, as well as mandatory national savings targets to oblige every single Member State to save energy. Member States shall also apply mandatorily the energy efficiency first (EE1) principle in all major investment and policy decisions. The Greens/EFA Group calls on every Member State to save 2% more energy between 2024 and 2030 – without exceptions or loopholes. To ensure that all Member States are on track in terms of energy saving, the Greens/EFA will also vote in favour of interim targets for 2025 and 2027.

 📅 Tuesday, 12/09/2023++ Vote on the Renewal Energy Directive 🟢 good outcome / adopted (➕ 430 ➖ 120 0️⃣ 40)

Read our press release
The Greens/EFA Group support the outcome of negotiations on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive. Boosting renewable energy is a key goal of the Green Deal to make the EU fit for climate neutrality, creating new and better jobs, increasing wealth and prosperity and achieving European energy independence. The Greens/EFA Group successfully managed to increase the EU target to a 42.5% share of renewable energies by the year 2030 (compared to 32% by 2030 set in the current Renewable Energy Directive, RED II), with an aspirational target of 45%. Another plus is simplifying and shortening the administrative permit-granting processes applicable to renewable energy projects, related storage and grid connections, without excessive  derogations to existing environmental rules. Realising renewable energy projects, such as installing solar panels on a rooftop, will be much quicker and simpler in the very near future. 

📅 Tuesday, 11/07/2023

++ Vote on the recast of the energy efficiency: 🟢 good outcome / adopted (➕ 471 ➖ 147 0️⃣ 17)

📅 Tuesday, 14/02/2023

++ Final vote on Energy efficiency directive (EED) ++

🟢 report adopted (  ➕ 469 ➖ 93  0️⃣ 82 )


FUEL-EU MARITIME INITIATIVE

What is it about?
Part of the ‘fit-for 55’ regulatory package, this regulation is intended to be ‘the EU green maritime fuel law’, aiming to move the sector to meet the Green Deal ambitions and requiring ships to switch progressively to more sustainable maritime fuel.

Our key demands
Among key amendments tabled by our Group were :

  • amendment 176 asking for reducing GHG intensity of fuel to -100% in 2050. This is politically necessary to reconfirm the EU commitment to climate neutrality in 2050 – also for the shipping sector, the major emitter in the transport sector.
  • amendment 173 asking for at least 6% Renewable fuels of non-biological origin to be used on-board ships by 2035

📅 Tuesday, 11/07/2023

++ Vote on sustainable maritime fuels (FuelEU Maritime Initiative): 🟢 good outcome / adopted (➕ 555 ➖ 48 0️⃣ 25)

During the October plenary session, the FuelEU Maritime Initiative and the Deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure will be voted upon. Follow here for the latest updates and reactions to the votes on Wednesday 19th October. 

📅 Wednesday, 19/10/2022

++ FuelEU Maritime Initiative VOTE RESULT ++

Am. 176 🔴 bad outcome – amendment defeated


Am. 173 🔴 bad outcome – amendment defeated

Am 174/2 🔴 bad outcome – amendment adopted


Final vote 🔴 bad outcome – report adopted


REFUEL EU AVIATION

What is it about? 

The ReFuelEU Aviation proposal aims to boost the use of “Sustainable Aviation Fuels” or SAFs at airports across Europe. It will achieve this by setting percentage targets for SAF use at EU airports that increase over time. It should stimulate the production of SAFs in Europe, and lead to a gradual reduction in emissions towards climate neutrality in 2050. The proposal also decides what fuels the EU actually defines as “sustainable” aviation fuels. 

Our key demands:

The Greens/EFA are calling for the Parliament to support the original SAFs definition proposed by the European Commission. The definition approved at TRAN expands this definition to allow unsustainable feedstocks, such as palm oil by-products, and some food crops, to count towards EU sustainable aviation fuel targets. The Greens/EFA also want approval for higher SAF targets that are in line with the EU’s stated commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. 

 📅 Wednesday, 13/09/2023++ Vote on the Sustainable aviation fuels (ReFuelEU Aviation Initiative)🟢 good outcome / adopted (➕ 518 ➖ 97 0️⃣ 8)


Read our press release

📅 Thursday, 07/07/2022

Today the European Parliament is voting on the ReFuelEU Aviation file. Follow here for the latest updates and reactions to the vote today. 

++ 10:19 Plenary speech from from Ciarán Cuffe MEP ++

“This EU ReFuel proposal is a positive step forward. Unfortunately, while the European Commission’s proposal lacks the ambition needed to decarbonise aviation’s fuel mix as rapidly as the climate emergency demands – this Parliament has opted to weaken the proposal and the ambition even further.”


EU EMISSIONS TRADING SYSTEM

What is it about ?
The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) is one of the core instruments of the EU to protect the climate. Put simply, it forces big polluters, like factories and power stations, to buy greenhouse gas certificates to match their emissions. These are capped for each year and are reduced over time. This should lead to a gradual reduction in emissions towards climate neutrality in 2050. The ETS is also a way to generate money that can be used for fighting climate change or to financially support those who are most affected by the climate crisis (like in the case of the EU Social Climate Fund).

Our key demands:
The Greens/EFA want a reduction of at least 5.8% of the cap on emissions each year. Currently, some industries (like cement, steel and chemicals) receive free allowances under the ETS and do not have to pay for their carbon emissions. This needs to end now. We also call for domestic and international aviation and shipping emission to be included in the ETS – it’s time for these industries to pay their fair share for the damage they do to the climate. However, to avoid putting the financial burden on ordinary citizens, we do not think road transport and buildings should be included.

📅 Tuesday, 18/04/2023

++ 12:15 🗳️ Final vote on revision of the EU ETS: 🟢 adopted (➕ 413 ➖ 167 0️⃣ 57)
Read our press release

📅 Sunday, 18/12/2022

On Sunday 18 December, the negotiators of the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission reached an agreement on the revision of the European carbon market (ETS) and the creation of a new EU Social Climate Fund. The agreement sends a clear signal to industry to reduce emissions, but Member States must urgently ramp up support for vulnerable households. Emissions trading as a climate policy instrument is a central building block of the Green Deal and the Fit for 55 package to achieve the EU’s climate goal of reducing EU net emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030 and making the EU the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The final step is the approval of the European Parliament and the Council of the negotiation result.
Read our press release

📅 Wednesday, 22/06/2022
++ 15:08 🗳️ Final vote on Emission Trading System (ETS) ++

 🟢 Report adopted (➕ 439 ➖ 157 0️⃣ 32)
+ 14:35 Speech from from Bas Eickhout MEP ++

“Yes, this package is Fit for 55, but this package is not fit for 1.5 degrees, and that we should all acknowledge. That doesn’t mean, that we will not support the package: We as a green Group will support the package, because we know that for now 55 is where this house wants to be. But let’s use this also as a stepping stone to do more for the climate, because we have to.”

📅 Wednesday, 08/06/2022

🚨 Amendment Watch – amendments 234, 261, ENVI amendment 101

Before the final reports are voted on, political groups in the European Parliament have a chance to make changes or ‘amendments’ to the text.

  • The EPP and Renew Europe want to prolong ‘free allowances’ for certain industries up to the end of 2034 (amendment 234). This would continue to exempt much heavy industry from paying for their emissions, giving them a free pass to keep damaging the climate.

🙋VOTE RESULTS Am. 234: 🔴 bad outcome – amendment adopted (➕ 327 ➖ 297 0️⃣ 18)

Prolong free allowances up to 2034 (A9-0162_2022 AM234)
Prolong free allowances up to 2034 (A9-0162_2022 AM234)
  • Renew Europe is walking back from the deal agreed in the European Parliament’s Environment Committee to reduce ETS emissions by at least -67% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels (ENVI amendment 101). This would make the EU ETS not aligned with the goal to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

🙋VOTE RESULTS Am. ENVI 101: 🔴 bad outcome – amendment adopted (➕ 268 ➖ 362 0️⃣ 10)

Increase ETS reduction target for 2030
Increase ETS reduction target for 2030
  • The EPP wants to exempt ships powered by unsustainable biofuels and biogas, including LNG, from paying the full price of their emissions (amendment 261).

🙋VOTE RESULTS Am. 261: 🟢 good outcome – amendment defeated (➕ 269 ➖ 334 0️⃣ 35)

Exempt ships powered by unsustainable biofuels and biogas (AM261)
Exempt ships powered by unsustainable biofuels and biogas (AM261)

🗳️ VOTE: Report rejected (➕ 265 ➖ 340 0️⃣ 34), and sent back to committee

📅 Tuesday, 07/06/2022

🗞️ Michael Bloss MEP on ETS (Greens/EFA shadow in ENVI committee):

“We need to end the fossil alliance here in the Parliament. Let’s build European sovereignty. Let’s free ourselves from Putin’s fossil chains with Europe’s newest climate technology. We can do this if CO2 has a strong price.”

🗞️ Bas Eickhout MEP and shadow rapporteur on ETS:

“What we are discussing here this week on Fit for 55 are complicated files & amendments. But the bottom line is that we are discussing here this week is how to keep the 1.5 climate goal alive! It’s time to keep our climate in balance!”

📅 Monday, 06/06/2022
🗞️ Michael Bloss MEP on ETS (Greens/EFA shadow in ENVI committee):

“The fossil alliance of Conservatives, right-wingers and liberals has weakened the FF55 package. Procrastinating on the climate and energy transition will fall on our feet and drive us into dependence on coal, oil and gas.”


EMISSIONS FROM IMPORTED GOODS (CBAM)

What is it about ?
While the EU is reducing its own emissions (albeit not fast enough), emissions from imported goods are on the rise. The CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) will add an extra cost for carbon emissions – or “carbon price” – to products being imported from outside the EU, to be paid by the importer or the producer. The price will match what would have been paid if the product had been produced in the EU. Higher carbon emissions will lead to higher prices, lower emissions to lower prices. Pricing carbon emissions is a way to motivate non-EU countries to shift towards sustainable and climate neutral production.

Our key demands:
We need an ambitious CBAM covering most polluting sectors and all types of emissions, and that is compliant with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. Currently, some industries in the EU receive free allocations of CO2 certificates under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). This is not compatible with the CBAM and should end now. There is no reason to keep giving certain industries the right to emit for free, when others are paying their way.

📅 Tuesday, 18/04/2023

++ 12:25 🗳️ Final vote on EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): 🟢 adopted (➕ 487 ➖ 81 0️⃣ 75)
Read our press release

📅 Wednesday, 08/06/2022

🚨 Amendment Watch – amendments 195, 197

Before the final reports are voted on, political groups in the European Parliament have a chance to make changes or ‘amendments’ to the text.

  • The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) is trying to delete the immediate inclusion of plastics and organic chemicals from the CBAM, against the recommendation of the European Parliament’s Environment Committee (amendment 195). Instead, their amendment would only require the European Commission to “assess” their potential inclusion. Production of plastics and chemicals is extremely polluting and uses fossil fuels. Removing them from the CBAM considerably lowers its benefit to the climate.
  • The EPP are trying to completely exempt EU industry from paying the pollution price on goods it exports (amendment 197). This is bad for the climate. It does not follow the ‘polluters pay principle’. And it would infringe World Trade Organization (WTO) international competition rules: the EU would price the emissions of goods it imports, but then be exempt on the goods it exports.

🗳️ VOTE: Report sent back to ENVI committee

📅 Tuesday, 07/06/2022

Manuela Ripa MEP: “We are facing a turning point. This requires new instruments. CBAM can be such an instrument in the fight against the global #climatecrisis, but only if it is comprehensive, ambitious & WTO-compatible from the start.”

🗞️ Claude Gruffat MEP:

“The Parliament will have to stand firm under pressure. Industrial lobbies are mobilised like never before to influence content and delay binding deadlines as much as possible. They exploit the current crises (war, pandemic, etc.) to play on the fear of change and undermine the ambition. But the positions defended by the Parliament go beyond what the Commission proposed – we need to adapt the European economy to new climate challenges.”

📅 Monday, 06/06/2022
🗞️ Manuela Ripa MEP, shadow rapporteur for CBAM in ENVI committee:

“In the Environment Committee, we sent a strong signal towards reaching the objectives of the Green Deal. CBAM can be a globally effective instrument for industrial transformation on the path to climate neutrality.”


THE SOCIAL CLIMATE FUND (SCF)

What is it about ?
The first ever EU Social Climate Fund will support EU citizens to pay for their energy bills and transport, as costs continue to rise due to climate change. The Fund is particularly for the most vulnerable households affected by energy poverty and individuals affected by transport poverty. The Fund is a safeguard to make sure that no-one is left behind during the necessary transition towards climate neutrality in 2050. The money in the Social Climate Fund will be raised through the Emission Trading System (ETS).

Our key demands:
The Social Climate Fund is the first EU tool to tackle energy and transport poverty. It should monitor the evolution of energy and transport poverty in the EU and provide financial support to those affected. It could, for example, be used for the deep renovation of buildings, free access to public transport or shared mobility services towards a future free from fossil fuels.

📅 Tuesday, 18/04/2023

++ 12:17 🗳️ Final vote on SOCIAL CLIMATE FUND (SCF): 🟢 adopted (➕ 521 ➖ 75 0️⃣ 43)

📅 Wednesday, 08/06/2022

🗳️ VOTE: Report sent back to ENVI committee

📅 Tuesday, 07/06/2022
🗞️ Jordi Solé MEP:

This is a great transformation that requires everyone’s efforts, and compensation such as the Social Climate Fund so that no one is left behind. It is an urgent transformation: the scientific evidence of the climate crisis and the examples we see on a daily basis are overwhelming. Given this situation, lowering the ambition of the Fit for 55 package would be a serious mistake.

📅 Monday, 06/06/2022
🗞️ Katrin Langensiepen MEP, shadow rapporteur for the Social Climate Fund in EMPL committee:

“The first-ever Social Climate Fund will specifically address energy and mobility poverty, which will put people at the centre of the process. Our goal is to lift people out of poverty in a sustainable, long term perspective and help vulnerable households to benefit from and play a more active role in the transition.”

🗞️ Sara Matthieu MEP, shadow rapporteur for the Social Climate Fund in ENVI committee:

“We want to use the Social Climate Fund to lift the most vulnerable households out of energy and transport poverty, as they need this support most urgently. That is why we oppose amendments by the EPP to also cover SMEs with this social climate fund. SMEs already rely on other funding sources for support, we should not give them extra money at the expense of the poorest households.”


ENERGY PERFORMANCE OF BUILDINGS DIRECTIVE (EPBD)

What is it about ?
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) aims to lower the energy consumption of buildings through renovations to achieve a fully climate neutral building stock by 2050. Soaring energy prices have put a focus on energy efficiency and energy saving measures, and the potential of buildings to harness local renewables to gradually reduce energy bills, improve housing quality, cut energy import dependency and fight energy poverty.

Our key demands
The Greens/EFA priorities with the EPBD are protecting those living in energy poverty and helping people to pay their energy bills while bringing down emissions, reducing the EU’s dependence on fossil fuels and contributing to the Union’s climate goals. The compromise proposal aims to legally enshrine key recommendations from the GreensEFA energy poverty handbook. It aims to provide access to social housing and good quality rented properties for people at risk of energy poverty, and to prioritise funding to vulnerable households. Member States are required to adopt social safeguards, such as banning evictions or disproportionate rent increases. Energy poverty needs to be addressed through specific measures in national building renovation plans.

📅 Tuesday, 14/03/2023

++ Energy performance of buildings directive VOTE RESULT ++

Final vote: 🟢 good outcome – report adopted (  ➕ 343 ➖ 216  0️⃣ 78 )

AM 31 (ECR)– Substantial reduction of ambition, translating to no renovation action for the next 10 years  : 🟢 good outcome – rejected

AM 20 (ID)– Substantial reduction of ambition, translating to delay action until 2038:
🟢 good outcome – rejected

AM 20 (ID)– Reducing Ambition level of MEPS so that requirements would be D by 2038 (too late):
🟢 good outcome – rejected



RENEWABLE ENERGY DIRECTIVE (RED)

What is it about ? 
Saving the climate and ensuring energy sovereignty will require the rapid and equal expansion of renewable energies and energy efficiency measures. The vote on the Renewable Energy Directive is a chance to power up the transition to clean energies and to ensure that citizens are at the heart of the renewables revolution. With the climate crisis and the war in Ukraine, it is essential that the ambition of RED is aligned with the RePowerEU target of at least 45% renewables by 2030.

Our key demands
The revised RED aims at pushing higher shares of renewables in various sectors: transport, heating and cooling, buildings and industry. The Greens/EFA Group has been pushing for increased ambition in terms of binding targets and increased sustainability for bioenergy, and 56% renewables for 2030. 

During the September plenary session, the European Parliament debates and votes on the renewable energy directive and on the energy efficiency directive files. Below the latest updates and reactions to the votes. 

📅 Wednesday, 14/09/2022

++ Renewable energy directive VOTE RESULT ++

Am. 39 🔴 bad outcome – amendment defeated
Am. 40 and 41 our amendments fell but still the committee text provides high targets even if not binding
Final vote 🟢 good outcome – report adopted (  ➕ 418 ➖ 109  0️⃣ 111 )

📅 Tuesday, 13/09/2022

On Wednesday 14th September, MEPs will vote on the European Parliament position on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive.

The European Parliament debated on the renewable energy directive. Follow here for the latest updates and reactions to the votes on Wednesday. 

📅 Monday, 12/09/2022

The European Parliament debate on the energy efficiency directive file. Follow here for the latest updates and reactions to the votes on Wednesday. 


📅 Wednesday, 22/06/2022

Today the European Parliament is voting on the ETS, CBAM and the Social Climate Fund files that were sent back to the committee level in the last June plenary. Follow here for the latest updates and reactions on the vote today.


++ 16:35 Plenary speech from from Bas Eickhout MEP ++
++ 16:04 📣 Eleonora Evi MEP ++
++ 15:35 📣 Manuela Ripa MEP ++

++ 15:35 🗳️ Final vote on Carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) ++

 🟢 Report adopted (➕ 450 ➖ 115  0️⃣ 55)

++ 15:12 📣 Marie Toussaint MEP ++

“Nous y sommes, le Parlement vient d’adopter finalement les 1ers textes du paquet #FitFor55. Après des négociations tendues, nous avons pu préserver l’essentiel, malgré les manoeuvres de la droite et de #Renew contre toute action ambitieuse…” Read more…

++ 15:11 📣 Hannah Neumann MEP ++

“Mixed emotions: Parliament managed last minute to adopt the Liese Report on ETS / #Fitfor55 – the biggest climate law ever is back on track – For approval but not for 1.5 degrees, as of now.” Read more…

++ 15:11 🗳️ Final vote on Social Climate Fund (SCF) ++


 🟢 Report adopted (➕ 479 ➖ 103 0️⃣ 48)

++ 15:08 🗳️ Final vote on Emission Trading System (ETS) ++


 🟢 Report adopted (➕ 439 ➖ 157 0️⃣ 32)

+ 14:35 Speech from from Bas Eickhout MEP ++

“Yes, this package is Fit for 55, but this package is not fit for 1.5 degrees, and that we should all acknowledge. That doesn’t mean, that we will not support the package: We as a green Group will support the package, because we know that for now 55 is where this house wants to be. But let’s use this also as a stepping stone to do more for the climate, because we have to.”

++ 12:27 Tweet from Micha Bloss MEP ++

📅 Wednesday, 08/06/2022

This evening, Members of the European Parliament voted in favour of a complete ban on the sale of internal combustion engines in new cars by 2035. 

++ CO2 emission standards for cars and vans VOTE RESULT ++
Am. 75: 🟢 good outcome – amendment defeated (➕ 264 ➖ 328 0️⃣ 10)
Am. 76: 🟢 good outcome – amendment defeated (➕ 280 ➖ 316 0️⃣ 11)
🗳️ Final vote: 🟢 good outcome – report adopted (➕ 339 ➖ 249 0️⃣ 24)

+ 18:14 Tweet from Bas Eickhout MEP ++

++ Land use, land use change and forestry VOTE RESULT ++
Am. 50cp2: 🟢 good outcome – amendment adopted (➕ 471 ➖ 140 0️⃣ 4)
Am. 95: 🟢 good outcome – amendment defeated (➕ 270 ➖ 334 0️⃣ 10)
🗳️ Final vote: 🟢 good outcomereport adopted (➕ 472 ➖ 124 0️⃣ 27)

++ Effort Sharing Regulation VOTE RESULT ++
🗳️ Final vote: 🟢 good outcome – report adopted (➕ 437 ➖ 142 0️⃣ 40)

++ 17:22 Tweet from Bas Eickhout MEP ++

Today, MEPs from the Greens/EFA Group along with a progressive majority have successfully voted down a considerably weakened position on the EU Emissions Trading System, following efforts of the EPP Group and industry lobbies. The ETS file will now go back to the Environment Committee. 

++ Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation VOTE RESULT ++
🗳️ Final vote: 🟢 good outcome – report adopted (➕ 547 ➖ 44 0️⃣ 45)

++ EU Emissions Trading System for aviation VOTE RESULT ++
Am. 93: 🟢 good outcome – amendment defeated (➕ 203 ➖ 427 0️⃣ 10)
🗳️ Final vote: Report adopted (➕ 479 ➖ 130 0️⃣ 32)

++ Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism VOTE RESULT ++
🗳️ Vote: Report sent back to ENVI committee

++ Social Climate Fund VOTE RESULT ++
🗳️ Vote: Report sent back to ENVI committee

++ EU Emission Trading System VOTE RESULT ++
Am. 234: 🔴 bad outcome – amendment adopted (➕ 327 ➖ 297 0️⃣ 18)
Am. 261: 🟢 good outcome – amendment defeated (➕ 269 ➖ 334 0️⃣ 35)
Am. ENVI 101: 🔴 bad outcome – amendment adopted (➕ 268 ➖ 362 0️⃣ 10)
🗳️ Final vote: Report rejected (➕ 265 ➖ 340 0️⃣ 34), and sent back to ENVI committee

++ 13:37 Tweet from Hannah Neumann MEP ++

++ 12:43 Tweet from Bas Eickhout MEP ++

📅 Tuesday, 07/06/2022

++ 15:45 “Forest, soil health & biodiversity must be protected.” ++
Ville Niinistö MEP, rapporteur for LULUCF

++ 14:48 “First time in history we have a #SocialClimateFund #SCF !” ++
– Katrin Langensiepen MEP, shadow rapporteur for the Social Climate Fund in EMPL

++ 11:25 “The #EUGreenDeal should also be a social deal” ++
– Sara Matthieu MEP, shadow rapporteur for the Social Climate Fund in ENVI

++ 11:14 “We need to end the fossil alliance here in the Parliament.” ++
– Michael Bloss MEP, shadow rapporteur for ETS in ENVI

++ 9:40 “It’s time to keep our climate in balance!” ++
– Bas Eickhout MEP and shadow rapporteur on ETS


EFFORT SHARING REGULATION : All EU countries have to share the load ESR)

What is it about ?
We’re all in this together – so we all need to pull together against climate change. The Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR) will make sure that efforts to reduce emissions in the EU are shared equally. It sets binding national targets for reducing emissions in every single EU country. The ESR paves the road for all EU countries to become climate neutral by 2050 at the latest.

Our key demands:
The current shared emissions target in the ESR proposal is to cut them by 40%. But everyone who listens to science knows that is simply not enough to stop the climate crisis. The Greens/EFA want to increase this target to a reduction of 55%. We want to close the loopholes in the proposal so that insufficient carbon removal techniques cannot be used as compensation for actual emissions reduction. We also want to limit how much EU countries can borrow efforts from other member states to stop them from postponing climate action.

📅 Wednesday, 08/06/2022

🚨 Amendment Watch – amendments 57, 58

Before the final reports are voted on, political groups in the European Parliament have a chance to make changes or ‘amendments’ to the text.

  • The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) want to lower the annual emissions reductions which Member States must achieve to reach their final targets by 2030, making the reductions less stringent (amendment 57).
  • The EPP are also trying to undermine the agreed limitations to the so-called “banking, borrowing and transfer” flexibilities. This would open the door for EU countries to compensate for their lack of climate action every year with credits from other EU member states (amendment 58).

🗳️ FINAL VOTE: 🟢 good outcome – report adopted (➕ 437 ➖ 142 0️⃣ 40)

Reducing emissions in every EU country (ESR)
Reducing emissions in every EU country (ESR)

📅 Tuesday, 07/06/2022
🗞️ Pär Holmgren MEP, Member of the ENVI committee:

“While right and centre-right groups have highly prioritised maintaining loopholes to counteract the raised ambition in the ESR, we have managed to include some important improvements in the ENVI committee, which we will have to defend against further attacks. These include limiting options to postpone climate actions, guaranteeing more transparency and access to justice for citizens and NGOs and demanding new legislation to reduce methane emissions in the agriculture sector.”

🗞️ Henrike Hahn MEP, Member of ITRE committee:

“Climate justice, green industrial policy and social justice have to go hand in hand – this way we can do what’s best for people and the planet.”

📅 Monday, 06/06/2022
🗞️ Margrete Auken MEP, shadow rapporteur in ENVI committee:

“The ESR could become a powerful tool to achieve the Paris agreement. We want to scrap loopholes in the existing regulation, ensure steeper emissions reduction trajectories and guarantee access to justice for citizens.”


Forests alone cannot stop the climate crisis (LULUCF)

What is it about ?
‘LULUCF’ is the EU regulation on land use, land use change and forestry. It tackles the dramatic consequences of global deforestation for people, animals, biodiversity, the environment and the climate. Forests and land can absorb and store carbon, known as being a ‘carbon sink’. They are a crucial resource in the fight against climate change and they need to be protected – once they’re gone, they’re gone. But, record high harvests in the EU’s forests and intensive farming means the EU’s natural carbon sink is shrinking and our forest biodiversity is in danger. We need an ambitious LULUCF regulation to make sure that we can rely on our natural carbon sinks to help keep our planet in balance – for now and for the future.

Our key demands:
The Greens/EFA are calling for binding greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for forestry and land use, both for the EU as a whole and for each Member State. The EU should set binding targets to increase natural carbon sinks as well. We also want to make sure that EU countries are not able to use their forests to compensate for high levels of emissions from livestock farming or fertilizer use. Intensive farming is responsible for the destruction of many of our ecosystems and for large amounts of emissions. We cannot allow big agri-businesses to hide in the woods. Agriculture must be tackled as a separate sector from forests and other ecosystems.

++ Revision of the regulation for Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) – VOTE RESULT ++

🟢 good outcome – report adopted (  ➕ 479 ➖ 97  0️⃣ 43 )

📅 Wednesday, 08/06/2022

🚨 Amendment Watch – amendments 50cp2, 95

The conservative European People’s Party (EPP) and the far right want to undermine climate ambition and cut down even more of our forests (amendment 50cp2).

Am. 50cp2: 🟢 good outcome – amendment adopted (➕ 471 ➖ 140 0️⃣ 4)

  • A group of MEPs – pushed by the forest industry – want to promote false climate solutions such as Bio-Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (amendment 95). This would result in burning even more biomass for energy instead of promoting truly sustainable renewable energy such as wind and solar.

🙋VOTE RESULTS Am. 95: 🟢 good outcome – amendment defeated (➕ 270 ➖ 334 0️⃣ 10)

Bio-energy with carbon capture storage (A9-0161_20222 AM95)
Bio-energy with carbon capture storage (A9-0161_20222 AM95)


🗳️ FINAL VOTE: 🟢 good outcome – report adopted (➕ 472 ➖ 124 0️⃣ 27)

Final vote LULUCF land use and forestry
Final vote LULUCF land use and forestry

📅 Tuesday, 07/06/2022
🗞️ Jutta Paulus MEP, Member of the ENVI committee

No one disputes that technical progress towards climate neutrality is imperative. But technology alone will not save us. We need nature as an ally. Therefore: Vote for the position of the Environment Committee, don’t let them tell you that you can preserve a forest by deforestation!

🗞️ Pär Holmgren MEP, Member of the ENVI committee:

“We have to increase the pace when it comes to the green transition to come anywhere near the Paris Agreement ambitions. But there are so many colleagues here in the European Parliament who do everything to make climate legislation into Swiss cheese, full of loopholes. But no, everyone needs to shoulder their share when it comes to the climate crisis.”

🗞️ Jutta Paulus MEP, Member of the ENVI committee

“In fighting the climate crisis, nature is our ally! We call for bringing back natural forests, and we need targets for preserving and restoring peatlands, wetlands and grasslands. These ecosystems do not only store vast amounts of carbon, they also alleviate heat waves or flash floods. The only safe way to remove CO2 is to let nature thrive!”

🗞️ Ville Niinistö MEP, rapporteur for LULUCF

“With the LULUCF regulation we can turn the way we use land into a climate solution and reverse the negative impact of our land use for climate. That is the way towards carbon neutrality and beyond to carbon negativity, while creating incentives and markets to more environmentally sound practices and products.”


CO2 emission standards for new cars

What is it about ?
15% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions comes from road transport. Cutting these emissions is vital if we’re going to reach our climate goals, but the current rules aren’t tough enough. Tackling emissions from cars will also improve air quality for citizens and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels imported from countries like Russia. The Fit for 55 package includes an update of the regulation for CO2 emission standards for new passenger cars and vans. This is supposed to shift the automotive sector towards investing more in the production of zero and low emission cars. It should make electric vehicles cheaper, making it possible for more people to buy them. The proposal contains tough targets for car manufacturers to reduce the average emissions of all new cars sold.

Our key demands:
We need the European Commission to take the lead and to create rules supporting the pioneers in this industry. For the first time, the EU has overtaken China as the world leader in the production of electric cars. We have to make sure these vehicles are being produced as environmentally soundly as possible. We’re calling on the European Commission to set up minimum energy efficiency requirements for zero- and low-emission vehicles (in particular, for the amount of electricity needed to drive 100 km). By the end of 2023, we’d like to see a new EU legislative proposal to set minimum ecodesign requirements for cars and vans, covering things like energy efficiency, durability and reparability requirements. And finally, the EU must absolutely ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the next decade if we’re going to have any chance of meeting our climate targets.

During the February plenary session, the European Parliament will vote on the outcome of the trilogue negotiations on CO2 emissions standards for cars and vans.

📅 Tuesday, 14/02/2023

++ Final vote on CO2 emissions standards for cars and vans ++

🟢 good outcome – report adopted (  ➕ 340 ➖ 279  0️⃣ 21 )

Voting behaviour – End sale of new combustion engines in cars by 2035

The vote will mark the end of the combustion engine from the year 2035 on. The green transformation of the industry also sets an end to fossil fuel-driven mobility and will drive investments in competitiveness, creating sustainable jobs and achieving our climate and energy targets. The Greens/EFA Group support the outcome of the trilogue negotiations and urge all other groups to vote in favour of this first final vote on one of the proposals of the Fit For 55 package. In the agreement to be voted on, the Greens/EFA Group achieved allowing car manufacturers a bonus for the percentage of low or zero emissions vehicles they put on the market. This will increase the percentage of electric cars manufacturers sell by 2030.

📅 Wednesday, 08/06/2022

🚨 Amendment Watch – amendments 75, 76

Before the final reports are voted on, political groups in the European Parliament have a chance to make changes or ‘amendments’ to the text.

The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) and the far right want to veto the ban on the sale of new diesel and petrol cars as of 2035 (key amendment 75).

🙋VOTE RESULTS Am. 75: 🟢 good outcome – amendment defeated (➕ 264 ➖ 328 0️⃣ 10)

Allow 10% diesel and patrol cars in 2035 (A9-0150_2022 Am 75)
Allow 10% diesel and patrol cars in 2035 (A9-0150_2022 Am 75)

The EPP and the far right want to allow car manufacturers to buy flawed ‘synthetic fuel credits’ instead of investing in zero-emission vehicles (key Amendment 76). This is clearly for the benefit of the oil and gas industry. Producing synthetic fuels is far less efficient and much more expensive than using electricity to power electric cars. It’s a waste of renewable energy which is precious to decarbonise our electricity system and our industry, and is more expensive for people to drive.

🙋VOTE RESULTS Am. 76: 🟢 good outcome – amendment defeated (➕ 280 ➖ 316 0️⃣ 11)

Allow synthetic fuel credits (A9-0150_2022 AM76)
Allow synthetic fuel credits (A9-0150_2022 AM76)

🗳️ FINAL VOTE: 🟢 good outcome – report adopted (➕ 339 ➖ 249 0️⃣ 24)

End the sale of new cars with combustion engine in 2035
End the sale of new cars with combustion engine in 2035

📅 Monday, 06/06/2022
🗞️ Karima Delli MEP, Chairwoman of the Committee on Transport and Rapporteure in TRAN committee:

“We have been waiting for this piece of regulation since Dieselgate. It is a revolution for the car industry and for those who are pleading for a rapid phasing out of fossil fuels. It is now becoming a reality but we need to prevent manufacturers from slipping through the cracks by derogations or by fraud. Dieselgate is still fresh in everyone’s mind.”


The EU Emissions Trading System for aviation

What is it about ?
The aviation sector generates 15,7 % of the EU’s transport carbon emissions. And these emissions are expected to increase by as much as 53% every year by 2040 (compared to 2017). Flights also cause other types of emissions whose climate impact is twice as high as carbon emissions. For too long, EU climate policy has let aviation off the hook. Meanwhile, rail – a much more environmentally friendly form of transport – has been paying full price for the CO2 emissions on its electricity. The Emissions Trading System (ETS) for Aviation will mean that airlines finally begin to pay their fair share for their carbon emissions.

Our key demands:
The Greens/EFA demand an end to free allowances in the ETS for aviation as soon as possible. Airlines should not be allowed to continue causing tonnes of damaging carbon emissions for free, when other transport modes are paying for their emissions. We need to extend the ETS to international flights, which make up the bulk of EU aviation emissions and are currently not included. We need to extend the ETS to include a price on other types of emissions (not just carbon emissions), so that it properly reflects the damage being done.

📅 Wednesday, 08/06/2022

🚨 Amendment Watch – amendment 93

Before the final reports are voted on, political groups in the European Parliament have a chance to make changes or ‘amendments’ to the text.

  • A group of MEPs from the centre-right European People’s Party, the right wing European Conservatives and Reformists and the liberal Renew Europe group are attempting to worsen the deal on ‘free allowances’ that was agreed in the European Parliament’s Environment Committee. According to the deal, airline companies would receive financial support to replace the use of kerosene with sustainable alternative fuels – but this support would be capped and have a deadline. Now these centre-right MEPs want airline companies to get subsidies for all the sustainable fuels they use – potentially forever (amendment 93). It would be the first time in history for an industry to be subsidised so heavily to clean itself up!

Am. 93: 🟢 good outcome – amendment defeated (➕ 203 ➖ 427 0️⃣ 10)

🗳️ FINAL VOTE: Report adopted (➕ 479 ➖ 130 0️⃣ 32)

📅 Tuesday, 07/06/2022
🗞️ Jakop Dalunde MEP, shadow rapporteur for ETS in the TRAN committee:

“In the green transition, all sectors, including aviation, must play their part. With a golden opportunity to cut emissions in the aviation sector, we ask the right-wing and center-right parties in the European Parliament if they are willing to make the necessary reforms.”


Reducing emissions from aviation (CORSIA)

What is it about ?
CORSIA, the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, is a global framework for reduction of emissions from international aviation. The EU adopted a number of time-bound derogations, the so-called ‘stop-the-clock’ derogations, which excluded all extra-EU flights from the EU ETS. The last derogation applies until 2023. CORSIA has proven to be a very unambitious climate scheme: as opposed to the ETS, CORSIA does not aim to progressively reduce emissions, but it targets the stabilisation of emissions at 2019 levels, a year during which emissions were record high. The Fit for 55 package suggests a number of changes, among others the complete phase out of free allowances for the EU aviation sector by 1 January 2027.

Our key demands:
The Greens/EFA demand an extension of the EU ETS to all flights from and to the EU, as the ETS is much more ambitious than the CORSIA scheme. We also want to price non-CO2 emissions. In addition to that we want to phase out of free allowances, as it was for example the case during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the aviation sector was hit financially.

📅 Wednesday, 08/06/2022

🗳️ FINAL VOTE: 🟢 good outcome – report adopted (➕ 547 ➖ 44 0️⃣ 45)


Later

  • Reducing methane emissions in the energy sector
  • Revision of the third energy package for gas to regulate competitive decarbonised gas markets

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