MEPs call for Paris Agreement to be translated into EU law

The European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health & Food Safety and Industry, Research & Energy committees have today adopted the report on the Governance of the Energy Union. This regulation will translate the outcome of the Paris climate agreement into EU law. The vote in plenary should take place in January 2018.

Claude Turmes, co-rapporteur for Governance of the Energy Union, comments:

"Today, we have taken a major step towards translating the Paris climate agreement into European law. This report fills the abysmal void left by the Industry, Research & Energy committee’s decision to drop national binding targets on renewable energy last week.

"The governance adopted today establishes a linear trajectory for the roll out of renewables and energy efficiency until 2030 and puts in place strong corrective measures in case of any delays or shortfalls. This will give investors the certainty they need and will help create green jobs in Europe.

"We have ensured there is an inclusive approach. Citizens, cities and regions must be engaged in the fight against climate change and energy poverty and we have made sure they will be fully included.

"It is regrettable that not all political groups are willing to get behind putting the Paris Agreement into practice. The attitude of the right-wing parliamentary groups, especially the EPP and ECR, is lamentable. The very same people who declare themselves in favour of the Paris Agreement at home are undermining efforts in Brussels to achieve a European carbon budget consistent with mitigating climate change by the end of the century."