European Parliament calls for more climate spending

Today, the European Parliament has just voted for the new EU budget from 2021, which is better suited to tackling the climate change with taxes on plastics, emissions trading and tech companies. In the interim report on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2021-2027 and on the reform of EU's revenue ("own resources"), the Parliament have pushed through Greens/EFA demands to increase the EU budget, to commit to 30% climate-related spending by 2027 and to make the EU less dependent on the payment behaviour of EU governments.

The MFF also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and includes gender mainstreaming throughout. The European Parliament is calling for an end to all rebates and corrective mechanisms. The current EU budget (MFF 2014-2020) is EUR 1082 billion, which represents 1% of the Gross National Income (GNI) of the entire European Union. The new budget should rise to 1324 billion Euro and amount to 1.3 percent. The European Commission proposes 1.11 percent. EU governments have not yet found their position. If the final outcome of the negotiation is not up to the challenges of the EU and does not provide instruments for a more social and sustainable Europe, the Greens/EFA group will withdraw support for the MFF.

Statement by Jordi Solé, Greens/EFA shadow rapporteur on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF):

"The Parliament is sending a strong signal that we need a budget that can better stand-up to the challenges that the EU faces for the coming years. Clear commitments to 30% related climate spending, such as investments in ecological agriculture and research as well as a plastic tax and taxes on emissions trading, makes this proposal the budget of the future. Young people in the EU need better opportunities and more money for Erasmus+, youth projects, culture and social policy will help provide those opportunities. This proposal is now substantially stronger and more robust than what the Commission had envisaged and we call on all EU member states to recognise the importance of these commitments during upcoming negotiations.

Statement by Helga Trüpel, Greens/EFA shadow rapporteur on the reform of the EU's own resources:

"The European Parliament wants a climate budget for ecological transformation, a 30% allocation of funds for investments relevant to climate protection and a digital tax for companies such as Google and Facebook. Internet giants will have to pay taxes where they make a profit. Brexit cannot be used as an excuse to undermine EU spending, that's why the new EU budget must mean the end of the rebate and corrective mechanisms. The European Parliament is ready for negotiations on a future budget, but now EU governments should agree on their common position".