Brussels, 02/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - Spanish Christian Democrat Miguel Arias Canete, commissioner-designate for climate and energy, sought in vain to deploy all of his force of conviction and to stress his maximum ambition for international climate negotiations and the climate/energy policy of the EU, but his hearing, on the evening of Wednesday 1 October before the ENVI and ITRE committees of the European Parliament, left a deep sense of malaise. Asked repeatedly throughout the session to shed all possible light on links between his brother-in-law and the oil companies Petrolifera Ducar and Petrologis Canarias, he denied any existence of conflicts of interest, opting to kick the ball into touch over the position of that individual at the head of two companies in which he no longer owns any personal shares, as he has sold them, and to limit the notion of a conflict of interest with his immediate family in the strictest sense (see EUROPE 11163 and 11156).
He also denied that he had twice changed his declaration of interests in the 72 hours preceding the hearing. “There have been no changes to my declaration of interests. I have sold my shares in the companies Petroligera Ducar and Petrologis Canarias. Neither I nor my family have any direct links with these companies”, he said. He stressed that these two companies are small (10-15 employees) and specialise in the storage of fuel. “There is therefore no conflict of interest. I sold my shares and my son left his post. Neither my son nor my wife holds office in these companies”.
Assessment suspended. The request made, prior to the hearing, by Kathleen Van Brempt (S&D, Belgium) to await the results of checks by the legal committee of the Parliament before putting the candidate forward for his set of 45 questions and answers was rejected by the two chairs of the parliamentary committees, Giovanni La Via (EPP, Italy) and Jerzy Buzek (EPP, Poland). However, Canete's fate is very much in the hands of the legal committee, whose opinion is expected before the ENVI and ITRE committees decide whether to give their green light to the candidate. This is what was decided on Thursday 2 October as regards the assessment.
Canete had to face a climate of open hostility. And although he won over the MEPs of the EPP Group and his general competence is beyond question, doubt was several times cast on his credibility for the post of climate and energy commissioner by many MEPs, who referred to his previous life as a minister in a country which has performed poorly in cutting its emissions, in a government which authorised fracking and imports of oilsands from Canada and cancelled incentives to renewable energy. Canete swept away the criticism, adding that he was environment minister, and not industry minister, referring to the member states' freedom of choice as regards their energy mix and pointing out that Spain was part of “the coalition of the most ambitious countries regarding the 2030 targets and in favour of the green economy”.
From the outset, Canete made much of his 13 years at the European Parliament and the importance he attaches to the values of the EU, particularly “the value of equality”, once again apologising for his apparent chauvinistic comments during the European election campaigns. Firmly believing that climate and energy are “two sides of the same coin”, and that “a single portfolio will help to reinforce synergies” to move the EU towards a low-carbon, competitive and job-generating economy, he pledged to make “the EU the leader for the Paris climate conference (COP 21), by setting ambitious targets. I have a clear mandate. The European Council of October needs to be ambitious”, he said. Implementing the integrated framework 2020-2030 will be his second mission, he said. As regards energy, Canete pledged to support action to increase the use of renewables, for which “the EU must become world number one”, and on their integration into the networks. He also views an energy efficiency target of 30% as “a minimum”. Canete promised, too, to work towards a “solid” energy union and enhanced security of supply. For the development of infrastructure and interconnections and innovation in green technology, Canete has high hopes for the investment package of €300 billion pledged by President Juncker.
Paris Conference. Canete wants a global agreement which is ambitious and “binding for all countries which are prepared to commit” and, for this purpose, intends to deploy all relevant international diplomacy. In response to Julie Girling (ECR, UK), who expressed concern about the impact on European competitiveness of a target to reduce emissions by 40% by 2030, Canete replied that, “if all the major powers and the largest polluters commit, I will not oppose more ambitious targets” than the offer currently on the table (20% or 30% for 2020). “In order to reach 30%, we must ensure that our industry is competitive and know what we can count on as credits”, he added.
Reform of EDS. Canete told Matthias Groote (S&D, Germany) that, if there is “enough support at the Parliament”, he would be prepared to “try to convince the Council to anticipate the implementation of the stability reserve before 2021, so as to avoid backloading”.
Carbon leakage. As growth and jobs are the number one objective for the EU, the system of free allocations should be continued in order to preserve the competitiveness of high energy consumption industries. “Up to now, there have been no carbon leaks, but with a more effective EDS system, prices will rise a little. We will have to take account of the coal-dependent countries, and therefore provide for exceptions to support their electricity production”, he said.
Renewables. Canete stressed the need to “create a homogenous system of aid based on the market at European level”. “I am in favour of a good European system on renewables, with no competition between the member states”, he said, stressing the importance of support for non-mature sources.
Energy efficiency. Canete said that he had high expectations of the initiatives in buildings and heating and said that he would try to propose a legislative initiative for networks and smart meters.
Single market. Replying to Miloslav Ransdorf (GUE/NGL, Czech Republic), Canete pledged to fight energy poverty and abuses of dominant position. “In order for the market to be integrated, the third package must be fully applied (…). If we have a fully transparent market, we can arrive at a situation of competition in Europe. Otherwise, prices will not come down”, he said.
Interconnections. “Having a well-interconnected network from the Baltic Sea to the Iberian peninsula is an absolute necessity”, he insisted. “We are in the process of achieving the target laid down in 2002 of 10% of cross-border interconnections. However, we need to redouble our efforts”, he said.
Infrastructure. Canete stressed the importance of regional integration and the integration of regional groups in order to decide on the eligibility of priority projects for EU funding. “I will do all in my power to make these priority programmes within the financial framework of the EU”, he promised Ashley Fox (ECR, UK).
Carbon capture and storage. Canete is focusing on this technology, “because coal will still be present for a very long time in the energy mix of the EU”, he told Françoise Grossetête (EPP, France).
Energy security. He said that he would support initiatives for joint gas purchase platforms as long as these comply with WTO and competition rules.
Nuclear. Stressing that the decision on whether or not to use this was a sovereign matter, Canete did not venture too far into this area, going no further than to point out that the Commission's role is to ensure that the strictest safety and security standards are complied with. (AN/EH)