Peter Liese: Priority for climate policy over other environment targets / More attention to emissions trading / Abolishing the ban on the combustion engine does not harm climate protection

“We urgently need a new focus in European climate and environmental policy. We must focus on climate protection and stop trying to achieve all other environmental goals at the same time, and we must concentrate on the most important instruments, namely emissions trading. Weakening or even abolishing this most important climate instrument would equal the end of European climate policy. On the other hand, abolishing the ban on the combustion engine does not harm the climate at all if done correctly,” said Dr Peter Liese, spokesperson for climate and environment policy for the largest political group in the European Parliament (EPP, Christian Democrats), on the occasion of the publication of a report by the European Environment Agency.

The agency had found that great progress had been made, for example in the fight against air pollution, waste recycling and resource efficiency. “I agree with this analysis. The air quality in Europe has improved significantly. We can literally take a breath. In terms of climate protection, however, we still have a lot of work to do to achieve the EU's legally binding climate neutrality target for 2050. Unfortunately, improving air quality does not always require the same measures as climate protection. Companies want to become climate neutral and are planning to convert their facilities. If we force them to invest millions in air pollution control first, this can be counterproductive. The money can only be spent once, and also the experts in the companies are not available indefinitely. That is why I am calling for a clear focus on the goal of climate neutrality. For other environmental goals, the rules can be relaxed a little with clear conscience,” Liese emphasised.

He also criticises the fact that ideology often dominates the discussion about climate protection instruments, and that the instruments that are actually effective do not receive enough focus and support. “Many people in Europe act as if the ban on the combustion engine is the decisive step for climate protection. That is definitely wrong. Emissions trading will do 25 times more for the climate by 2030 than the ban on the combustion engine . The ban on the combustion engine can be lifted without having any negative impact on climate protection at all. If combustion engines run on climate-neutral fuels, they do not harm the climate. If we make greater use of climate-neutral fuels, such as E20, for existing vehicles, such a change would even be positive for the climate. If, on the other hand, emissions trading is abolished, as is unfortunately threatening to happen at the moment, European climate protection policy will be at an end. That is why everyone who really cares about the climate must stop discussing the ban on the combustion engine and focus on emissions trading,” emphasises Liese.