EU Parliament adopts sweeping climate measures
The EU Parliament has "reached another milestone" in the fight against climate change, said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday. Its newly approved legislative reform package massively expands the EU's emissions trading scheme to include the shipping and building sectors, among others. A CO2 levy will also be imposed on some imported products. The final approval of the individual member states is still pending, however.
A shining moment for democracy
This reform is a real step forward on the path to climate neutrality in Europe, says the Süddeutsche Zeitung:
“Finally, carbon dioxide emissions will be given a more or less realistic price, and finally CO2-intensive goods will be subject to a climate tariff when imported. If you want to do case studies on the tortuous paths of EU legislation, the reform of emissions trading, the new CO2 border adjustment and the supplementary climate social fund are the best illustration of a shining moment for democracy.”
Between yellow vests and climate marches
The climate protection debate is now moving one step closer to the uncomfortable truth, De Tijd comments:
“We are caught between purchasing power and the climate, between the fear of the end of the month and the end of the planet, between the yellow vests and the climate marches. ... Now we must wait and see whether the governments of the EU countries will confirm or adapt the European Parliament's decisions. And whether we can finally start the real climate debate: explaining who will pay for it. It's a dreadful task. But it's time we started the uncomfortable discussion.”