Greens/EFA Group call on Commissioners-designate to get Green Deal over the finish line

Today, the Greens/EFA Group have set out the key elements that need to be finalised by the new Commission-designates, ahead of the hearings of Wopke Hoekstra and Maroš Šefčovič next week. There are five fundamental commitments that the Greens/EFA Group have identified that the Commission needs to deliver on before the end of the mandate. The letter can be found here.

Philippe Lamberts MEP, President of the Greens/EFA Group, comments:

“We are in a climate emergency and we have so little time to act. That’s why it’s essential that the Commission delivers on the EU’s ‘Man on the Moon’ moment and gets the final files of the Green Deal over the line. This summer has been the hottest summer ever recorded with floods, fires and deadly weather destroying lives, homes and towns in Europe and the world. 

“The door to keep 1.5°C alive is closing at an alarming pace and the biodiversity collapse poses a fundamental risk to society. We must ensure that the Commission sticks to its commitments on the Green Deal and avoids backsliding as right-wing politicians up their attacks on climate policies ahead of the European elections. 

“The new Commissioner for Climate Action and the Executive Vice-President responsible for the Green Deal will need to make sure they stand up for the Commission’s commitments and to keep global temperature rises in line with the Paris Agreement goal of 1.5c.”

Terry Reintke MEP, President of the Greens/EFA Group, comments:

"The Greens/EFA Group are committed to strong climate ambition and we have to act now. We will put strong demands on the table to make that happen. For the rest of the Commission’s term, and beyond, we want to see the Commission focusing on science-based, post 2030 climate targets including the possibility of climate neutrality by 2040. 

"We urgently need international and EU measures to phase out fossil fuels with the Commission putting forward a proposed end date for the phase out. 
 
"The EU has a historic responsibility to help vulnerable countries address the dramatic effects of climate changes by supporting them economically and investing in adaptation measures. The EU should come out with a dedicated EU public finance mechanism to show its willingness and commitment to a Loss & Damages Fund at the COP28.
 
"Nature and biodiversity are vital to livelihoods, while producing healthy and sustainable food in Europe. It is essential that the Commission reaches a strong agreement on the Nature Restoration Law with the Member States by the end of this mandate. We look forward to the Commissioners-designate answers on these commitments during their hearings next week.”

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The Green Deal files that still need to be finalised include the forest monitoring law, animal welfare package and binding measures to prevent the release of microplastics. The Greens/EFA Group are also calling on the Commission to get a strong agreement with the Member States on the Nature Restoration Law before the end of the Commission’s mandate.