On Wednesday 14 June, the European Parliament in Strasbourg was almost unanimous in regretting and criticising US President Donald Trump's announcement of his decision to withdraw the USA from the Paris Agreement. The Parliament was also almost unanimous in reassuring countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, reiterating the EU's commitment to implement this first universal agreement on fighting against climate change. Just a few MEPs from the far right considered that the EU's outrage was hypocritical at an unsurprising and "legitimate" decision from the US president on an agreement whose objectives are not binding.
Since 1 June, many MEPs and the whole EU have expressed their strong disapproval at a unilateral decision that is harmful to the planet. They have also expressed their unwavering commitment to the Paris Agreement
Small island states counting on EU. The speech by President of the Marshall Islands Hilda Heine to the European Parliament plenary session hit home. In it she said that the Marshall Islands are threatened with being engulfed if average global warming exceeds 1.5 degrees, and she made a strong appeal to the EU, "on behalf of the Pacific family", to continue to take the lead in global efforts to fight climate change. Her call for the EU to compensate for the defection of the USA hit home especially with the Left, while the Right believed it was particularly important to continue cooperation with all US actors – the federal states, cities and companies –that are still committed to implementing the Paris Agreement, until the decision on withdrawal becomes effective (in other words, until 2020) under the arrangements of this agreement that was made between 196 parties on 12 December 2015, and that was signed by the USA and ratified by nearly 150 countries.
"We regret the decision of the US government to leave the Paris Agreement. Our determination to fight against climate change will not be weakened. We will not let the opportunity pass by to act in the interest of the planet, its citizens and our economy", European Parliament President Antonio Tajani (EPP, Italy) stated at the opening of the debate. He also said, as had European Commissioner for the Climate and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete, that the coalition of the most ambitious countries, the alliance between industrialised and developing countries that had ensured the success of COP 21, would continue.
"I come from a country whose beauty is as breathtaking as its vulnerability", Heine said, who governs a state that is mid-way between Australia and the USA, that comprises over 1,000 islands in 29 different atolls, and that has 50,000 inhabitants whose survival is threatened. "Like the EU, we believe in the multilateral approach to resolving world problems. We are all vulnerable, but our islands are on the front line. With an average of two-metres above sea level, we will have nowhere to go", she said, stressing the importance for the world to respect its pledges and not exceed an average 1.5 degree warming, "otherwise my country will be totally uninhabitable before the end of the century". This implies accelerating climate action before 2020, she added. Saying that the decision of the Trump Administration was "totally wrong, disappointing and a source of confusion", Heine stated that "the Paris Agreement is there to last. It offers flexibility for different countries' contributions".
"I would really like the European countries, especially Germany, to play a role at the G20 in order to show the path to follow", Heine stated. In September 2018, the Marshall Islands will chair the forum of the 48 developing countries that are aiming at 100% renewable energy by 2050. "If we can manage that, you can too!", she said. She also thanked the EU for its "ambitious climate policy" and its contribution to "40% of the public finance" for the climate, asking the EU "to continue" in this direction.
President of Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara also launches an appeal. Speaking later at the plenary session, President of the Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara likewise said that it is "more urgent than ever to implement the Paris Agreement" (see other article). He urged the EU "to continue making the climate a priority" in order to counter the effects of climate change and its procession of droughts, heavy rainfalls and forced displacements. Outtara said that "Europe can show the way, mobilise public opinion and the technological finance" in order to build on "the unique opportunity" of green growth offered by the fight against climate change.
On behalf of the Maltese Presidency of the EU, Helena Dalli gave assurances that the Council continues to work on completing all the climate/energy legislation aimed at reducing EU emissions by at least 40% by 2030. She also said that the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 19 June will have a discussion on the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
"You can count on the European Commission to keep up the momentum of the Paris Agreement and to implement the legislation", European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker stated.
On behalf of the EPP Group, Manfred Weber (Germany) stated: "We are not going to follow the example of the US Administration". "Climate change is a big opportunity, if we rise to the challenge", he said, adding that the EU counters Trump's slogan with the slogan "Europe first, for common solutions to common challenges".
On behalf of the S&D Group, Gianni Pittella (Italy) called on the EU "to plan on reprisals, re-introducing customs duties". Speaking for the ECR Group, Julie Girling (UK) criticised the US president for his "short-term vision" which is "totally irresponsible, when Mr Trump recognises that climate change is real and that the USA's commitments under the Paris Agreement are modest (a 28% reduction in emissions by 2025 in relation to 2005) – well below those of the EU", despite US emissions per head being above the global average.
Catherine Bearder (ALDE, UK) argued that the EU should be "hard in the Brexit negotiations on the environment", saying that "if the UK leaves the EU, it must respect its environmental obligations, as must the USA".
Katerina Konecna (GUE/NGL, Czech Republic) said it was "more important than ever to be united" after Trump's "Middle Ages" decision because "based on empirical considerations it denies scientific proof" and phenomena such as desertification and floods "with millions of climate refugees on top".
Ska Keller (Greens/EFA, Germany) said that "if Trump leaves the Paris Agreement, we must compensate for the US withdrawal". Speaking for the EFDD Group, Rosa D'Amato (Italy) stated that "the EU has a responsibility towards developing countries" and that it was also important for the EU to keep its own house in order with regard to "dieselgate and the financing of fossil fuels by the EFSI". (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)