Plenary Flash - 13-16 March 2023

ENERGY PERFORMANCE OF BUILDINGS DIRECTIVE (EPBD)

On 15 December 2021, the European Commission proposed a recast of the EPBD in the framework of the FIT FOR 55 package. Greens/EFA Group MEP Ciarán Cuffe is the rapporteur for this directive, which aims to lower the energy consumption of buildings through renovations to achieve a fully climate neutral building stock by 2050. 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.

Trilogues will start after the vote and the legislative process should be completed by the end of the Swedish Presidency, after which member states should transpose the directive. On Tuesday 14 March, a press conference on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive will take place at 14:00 in room N -1/201 in the WEISS building, after the plenary vote.

Debate: Monday 13/3
Vote: Tuesday 14/3
Greens/EFA MEP: Ciaran Cuffe
Press conference: Tuesday 14/3 14:00 

LULUCF

On Monday, MEPs will discuss the outcome of the trilogue negotiations on the revision of the regulation for Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF). The Parliament's negotiating team was led by Greens/EFA MEP Ville Niinistö.   

The new 2030 targets for the LULUCF sector will oblige Member States to put in place reforms to reverse the current shrinkage of our natural land sinks. These reforms must also decrease the use of intensive agricultural practices which damage biodiversity and jeopardise the capacity of forests and soils to absorb carbon. As lead negotiators on this file, the Greens managed to force Member States to report on how they take into account the principle to “do no significant harm” when adopting policies and measures to meet their LULUCF targets. These reforms are ultimately necessary to achieve a balance between emissions & removals by 2050 at the latest within the Union. 

Debate: Monday 13 March
Vote: Tuesday 14 March
Green/EFA MEP: Ville Niinistö
Read more: EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT STRENGTHENS COMMISSION'S PROPOSAL ON LULUCF

ADEQUATE MINIMUM INCOME

On Wednesday, MEPs will vote on a resolution calling on Member States to raise the minimum income for people in need to at least the poverty line. Minimum income schemes are one of the strongest social tools to lift people out of poverty and would ensure that everyone, especially the most vulnerable, can live a decent life. The schemes would guarantee everyone in the EU a living income to pay rent, buy healthy food, continue their education, secure access to health care, and cover energy bills. The Commission has already proposed a recommendation on minimum income schemes, which is non-binding. The Greens/EFA group calls on the Commission to put forward legal measures to make sure that everyone is guaranteed a life in dignity.

Vote: Wednesday, 15 March
Greens/EFA MEP: Sara Matthieu

EU GUIDELINES ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

On Tuesday, Members of the European Parliament will debate Women activism – human rights defenders related to sexual and reproductive health and rights. The debate is held in the light of the ongoing trial against Justyna Wydrzynska, a Polish women's rights defender and abortion activist, who is charged with 'helping in the performance of an abortion' and 'possession of unauthorised drugs with the aim of introducing them to the market'. She faces up to three years in prison if she is convicted. The upcoming trial serves as a reminder of the ongoing backlash against women's rights and the importance of the fight to protect our hard won freedoms and bodily autonomy. 

In addition, the report on the EU Guidelines on Human rights defenders points out the importance of gender specific implementation of the guidelines. Greens/EFA MEP Hannah Neumann is the rapporteur for this report, which examines the implementation of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders and makes recommendations to improve our support for and protection of Human Rights Defenders.

The number of attacks on those fighting around the world for democracy, human rights and the rule of law or climate protection is growing. There is therefore an urgent need to step up our support and improve coordination amongst EU member states.

Debate: Wednesday 15 March
Vote: Thursday 16 March
Greens/EFA MEP: Hannah Neumann
Read more here