European Green Deal, the new strategy in the EU

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European Green Deal, new 'growth strategy'for Europe

Lo European Green Deal is presented as the 'new growth strategy'for Europe. The two primary objectives concern the protection of the environment and the quality of life of individuals. With one trillion (one billion billion) euros of investments in 10 years, foreseen in Sustainable Europe Investment Plan. To which are added € 100 billion over 7 years, in Just Transition Fund, to support Member States with higher innovation needs. Poland (in primis), which will receive resources without making the 'zero emissions' commitment by 2050. (2)

La European Climate Action Law, which will be presented in March 2020, will indicate the way forward to progressively reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere. In a long-term perspective, with an intermediate target set at 2030 (-40% compared to current emissions) and final target at 2050 (neutrality). Investments must therefore be directed in this direction in every industrial and agricultural sector, in transport and above all in energy production. (3)

The roadmap in 10 chapters

The roadmap (roadmap) presented together with the European Green Deal it is divided into 10 chapters. 50 programmatic points, to take place by 2021 to produce results in the years to come.

1) Climate ambition

All European Climate Action Law is combined with a program to revise the 2030 climate objectives. As well as the revision of the rules on emissions trading, (4) use of land and forests, energy efficiency, renewable energy, CO2 emissions by cars and trucks. Finally, the reform of the Energy Tax Directive and a new EU adaptation strategy to climate change.

2) Clean, accessible and safe energy

Evaluation of plans environmental and national climate (in view of the programming of investments co-financed by the EU, it is assumed). Renovation wave for the construction sector (incentives to 'renovate' buildings to improve energy performance, probably). Revision of Trans-European Network - Energy Regulation (new agreements for the distribution of Russian gas?). Wind farm strategy offshore accounts.

3) Industrial strategy for a circular and clean economy

The Action Plan for the 'The circular economy, expected in March 2020, will pay particular attention to the product categories that absorb the most resources. Textiles, electronics, plastics, construction materials. The 'climate neutrality' of energy-intensive sectors will instead be pursued with specific initiatives. With the aim, among others, of reaching the 'zero emissions' level in the metallurgical industry by 2030. The Strategic Action Plan on batteries will be supplemented by specific legislation. New rules on waste, to supplement the cd Circular Economy Package adopted in 2018.

4) Sustainable and smart mobility

Public funds to support the development of networks of 'charging stations' as part of a European alternative fuel infrastructure. Revision of the combined (intermodal) transport directive. Initiatives to improve railway and water mobility infrastructures. New limits on fine particle emissions from vehicles.

5) Strategy Farm to Fork

The Common Agricultural Policy (PAC) for the period 2021-2027 - which, as anticipated, it will penalize Italy more than other countries - it will have to be oriented towards sustainability goals (CD Greening). As part of a strategy Farm to Fork which should include - also through specific legislative instruments - objectives ofsignificant reduction in use e risks linked to chemical pesticides and herbicides, as well as the use of nitrogen fertilizers and antibiotics'. With incentives, yet to be defined, in favor of agroecology e conversion to the biological system.

6) Biodiversity

It is announced for next March la EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. A European Forest Strategy and the adoption of measures aimed at favoring supply chains free from deforestation are also envisaged in 2020. In order for these promises to be concretely implemented, we must await a support plan for the European crops necessary to free Europe from addiction to GMO soybeans e Palm oil. The two commodities which still represent the first causes of land robbery (land grabbing) and deforestation on a planetary level, towards which we have promoted the #Buycott campaign. Finally, in 2021, the Commission will present some measures to address the main causes of the loss of biodiversity in Europe.

7) Zero pollution (water, air, soil)

A strategy for sustainability in chemistry is scheduled for summer 2020. It will no longer be possible to ignore - as has been done up to now - the problems related toplastic pollution e microplastics, that have also become part of our diet. Nor will it be possible to avoid considering the chemical safety of everyday objects. With particular attention to materials and objects intended to come into contact with food (MOCA), still today without a harmonized regulation in the EU.

8) Sustainability at the heart of all EU policies

In January 2020 will be introduced on Just Transition Mechanism, a funding program that will benefit from the contribution of the European Bank for Investments (EBI) and in fact provides for the establishment, among other things, of a Just Transition Fund. In the broader context of the 'trillionaire' Sustainable Europe Investment Plan. All the political initiatives of the European Commission will have to take into account, from now on, the objectives set in the European Green Deal. So too are financial and reporting strategies, at EU and Member State level. The social partners concerned (stakeholders) will then be asked to identify, in existing legislation and policies, any obstacles to the achievement of ecological objectives. The European Commission then makes a formal commitment to work to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals ( Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs) in the UN Agenda 2030.

'To build a future for our children and our planet to the benefit of everyone we are making the SDGs and sustainability a guiding principle in all our work. Implementing the UN 2030 Agenda is a shared commitment and needs everyone's contribution and cooperation, including Member States and civil society at large' (Frans Timmermans, first vice-president of the European Commission, 22.11.19).

9) Leadership global EU

The European Union it should start leading international negotiations on climate and biodiversity. Start the 'European Green Deal diplomacy', in collaboration with the Member States. And to promote the implementation of sustainability criteria in bilateral agreements with third countries. The exact opposite of what the previous Commission did in the Treaties with Canada, Japan, the Mercosur countries e Singapore. As well as in the negotiations with Indonesia he uses.

The Commission it should also contribute finally to the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (former Federal Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia, Albania). Funding is never scorned, except to note how Serbia has recently strengthened its relations with Moscow through a free trade agreement. (5)

10) European Climate Pact

In March 2020 finally, the European climate pact will be launched, aimed at reaffirming the commitments of the Member States on the European Green Deal. The proposal for the eighth will then be adopted Environment Action Programme, based on the Council resolution 4.10.19. (6)

What strategy for the population?

It is admirable the determination of Ursula von der Layen and Frans Timmermans towards a greener Europe. Renewable sources are precious both for the climate and health, as well as for energy sovereignty and independence from oil companies. And it is too early to assess the concrete suitability of the measures just mentioned. However, the priority attention to heavy industry is striking, to which most of the public funding will presumably be directed.

The press release of the President of the Commission barely touches the social and individual dimension of his program. Mentioning the creation of new jobs, which is also characteristic of every phase of industrial transition. And with an unspecified improvement in the quality of life, which is easy to associate with the reduction of pollution e the use of agrotoxicants.

Instead, worry the deathly silence on the social crisis that afflicts Europe, where still 1 in 5, one in five people is exposed to the risk of poverty and social exclusion. With an impact that varies significantly from one country to another. E widespread prevalence in families with minor children e disabled people in particular.

#Égalité

Dario Dongo

Note

(1) See https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_it

(2) Poland and Germany, according to data from the European Environment Agency (2019), are the large countries with the most CO2-intensive electricity generation. 0,7 kg / kWh Poland, 0,6 kg / kWh Germany (on the opposite side France, <0,1 kg / kWh). Moreover, Germany remains the absolute champion in Europe in large combustion plants and coal consumption, EEA data, European Environment Agency)

(3) Trading in carbon emissions quotas, cd emissions trading, will therefore be extended to every economic and productive sector

(4) The Roadmap su https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/european-green-deal-communication-annex-roadmap_en.pdf

(5) On the Western Balkans and European integration perspectives, see https://www.europarl.europa.eu/factsheets/it/sheet/168/i-balcani-occidentali. On relations between Serbia and Russia, see https://balkaninsight.com/2019/10/25/serbia-signs-trade-deal-with-russias-eurasian-union/

(6) https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/40927/st12795-2019.pdf

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