The European Parliament gives the green light for the phasing-out until 2032 of emission allowances for the most polluting sectors
The European Parliament took a fundamental step on Wednesday to reduce emissions in the European Union (EU). MEPs gave the green light to reform the European emissions market – which puts a price on the carbon dioxide emitted by Europe’s most polluting sectors – and a mechanism that penalizes the import of products whose manufacture generates large amounts of CO2. These two initiatives are the key to the EU’s climate strategy and now they must be discussed by the 27 Member States in order to reach their final approval.
Currently, the most polluting sectors are forced to buy certificates that put a price on the CO2 emissions they generate. This system, called the emissions market, has been in operation since 2005, but with the favorable vote of the European Parliament, it faces a major reform.
An agreement between the European People’s Party, the Social Democrats, the Liberals and the Greens made it possible this Wednesday to gradually reduce the free allocations until they disappear completely by 2032. These permits exempt certain factories from paying for carbon emissions to invest the money saved on the introduction and development of clean technologies. In Spain alone, more than 700 industrial installations benefit from an annual average of 47.6 million allowances.
The plan finally approved in Brussels is more ambitious than the plan voted by the European Parliament two weeks ago. The Socialists then rejected the proposal, despite several amendments from the popular and liberal groups, which two years later wanted to ban and keep the permits for the steel and cement industries.
At the same time, MEPs agreed on Wednesday to create a mechanism to impose tariffs on products from third countries whose production produces large amounts of emissions. This will allow European producers to compete on an equal footing with producers from outside the EU and encourage the transition to cleaner energy.
For its part, the European Commission presented this Wednesday an initiative to halve the use of chemical pesticides by 2030 and another initiative to restore damaged community ecosystems, from forests to farmland or marine ecosystems.
According to the Vice-President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, the aim is none other than “to restore 80% of damaged ecosystems”, a proposal that does not entail the creation of more protected areas, but “goes hand in hand with economic activities.
As for pesticides, Brussels wants to tighten the rules to reduce their use and create a sustainable food system. Under this proposal, farmers must use alternative methods to pesticides and receive compensation for this that is included in the support of the common agricultural policy, but each country must set its specific rules.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
