Due to the ecological and climatic crisis, the environment could be a kingmaker during the European elections on 23-26 May, judging by the citizen mobilisation for the climate.
Traditionally the prerogative of the left, ecology in a broader sense, including the fight against climate change, has become an unavoidable theme in the election campaign, of which the right does not intend to be the poor relation.
It is the approach of this key theme, which is present in all the programmes of the European political parties - with the exception of the Conservatives - that makes the difference in the place of this theme and the measures proposed: neoliberal approach for the right, anti-liberal and more social for the left, at least on paper, in the case of the European Greens and the European Socialists (the latter are part of the Social Democratic Group, S&D, in the current legislature). Priority to European innovation, the competitiveness of European industry and the health of the EU economy, on the right; priority to the greening of the economy through proactive measures and the socially just transition to carbon neutrality, on the left – carbon neutrality that European Liberals also advocate. Variations on the same theme and the same issue for the future of the planet.
Climate action between innovation and taxation
As the DNA of the Greens, the environment is taking the lion's share of the European Green Party's (EGP) political priorities, which advocates a ‘New Green Deal’ that puts an end to the paradigm of austerity and guarantees fair economic development for all (see EUROPE 12147/22, B 12139A4).
This party considers the fight against climate change as “the major challenge of our generation”. It advocates 100% renewable energy, the gradual elimination of coal by 2030 and the abandonment of nuclear power – the only party to ask for it – “while creating sustainable jobs in the regions concerned”.
It wants Europe to adopt a sustainable, common industrial policy and calls for the greening of production and finance.
The development of adequate infrastructure must be an absolute priority, the party highlights. It stresses the importance of emphasising research and eco-innovation and the concomitant development of digital and clean technologies.
Making the train a real alternative to flying in Europe and taxing flights for good measure with rail taxation will complete the system.
For the European Left (EL), the fight against climate change will be fought through truly renewable energies and by promoting energy savings, strengthening public transport and “combating these so-called new market solutions for CO2 emissions”, such as the ETS.
The Party of European Socialists (PES) is a champion of sustainable development. It believes that at the international level, the EU must “lead the way in the fight for the environment and against climate change”.
It calls for a reform of European industry, so that the EU takes the lead in renewable energy and becomes climate-neutral by 2050 at the latest. The party also advocates a socially fair taxation mechanism for CO2 emissions across the EU to support investment in clean and affordable energy. The party also supports a Plan for affordable housing and clean public transport in Europe.
The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) is not to be outdone by advocating carbon neutrality by 2050 for the EU and an increase in the EU's climate target to 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 as an intermediate step. This party considers increased international cooperation on climate and environment to be crucial to achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the universal objectives of sustainable development.
It also supports greater investment in intelligent mobility and major sustainable infrastructure projects, including trans-European rail networks. The party also calls for a strengthening of the ETS, in particular to cover transport, and for the taxation of international aviation emissions.
For the European People's Party (EPP), technological innovation and the competitiveness of European industry are the key words. It wants Europe to maintain its leadership in the technological innovation of tomorrow, particularly for low-carbon mobility solutions. The party intends to defend the Paris Agreement “on a scientific basis” and allow the EU to remain a leader in the global fight against climate change.
It advocates “an efficient price for CO2 as part of a properly functioning Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS)” and more incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the industrial and energy sectors.
Sustainable development, circular economy, biodiversity
For the PES, “Europe must protect biodiversity, both on our continent and worldwide, and put an end to pollution”. Clean air, drinking water, clean energy and quality food must be accessible to all. The EU must, it said, adopt a Sustainable Development Pact with quantified social and ecological objectives, in order to prevent economic interests from taking precedence over the environment. A Just Transition Fund could help to achieve, in a socially equitable way, the UN's sustainable development goals and agenda by 2030, according to the socialists.
The EGP considers that the EU should seize the opportunity to be a leader in the transition to a carbon-neutral circular economy in the context of the ‘Green New Deal’. It wants non-recyclable plastics to be taxed or banned.
To preserve nature, the party advocates extending protected natural areas to cover key ecosystems.
The EU must, it said, adopt a new environmental action programme. The environmental and health impacts of pollution by chemicals, hormones, nitrates and micro-plastics must be tackled at source and healthy food produced locally, free of GMOs and pesticides.
The European Left stresses the importance of ensuring food independence by promoting economically and ecologically sustainable agriculture. It also advocates protecting the sea and exploiting marine resources in a rational way. Combatting marine pollution and protect oil, mining and gas reserves.
The EPP intends to “reconcile environmental protection and biodiversity with a dynamic economy” and stresses, once again, that the EU's economic policy should not only enable Europe to remain the leader in technological innovation in the future, but also to benefit the whole planet.
EGP/EL anti-liberalism. “We cannot allow (de)regulation and trade agreements to hinder environmental and social progress”, says the EGP.
The European Left (EL), which aims to boost economic activity to meet social needs while respecting the environment, goes even further on this point by saying it wants to fight against free trade agreements, since they promote the exploitation of raw materials, mainly in Africa and Latin America. It also aims to prevent the privatisation of natural resources.
For this anti-capitalist party, there can be no green capitalism. It therefore advocates a new model of ecological development. “The well-being of nature and human beings should always come before the benefits of capital”.
The Conservative exception. Not a word about the environment and climate is explicitly mentioned in the programme of the Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (ACRE). Energy is, of course, addressed, but only from the perspective of coordinating the EU's energy security. “Let us not succumb to the mistaken belief that we can predict and manage all the unintended and second-order consequences of human activity. Let us not build an artificial world”, warns eurosceptic and climate change denier Jan Zahradil, who has become a destroyer of “abstract ideology”.
The Conservatives' programme could unravel EU environmental and climate legislation, as it provides for a “Red Card Procedure” allowing a third of national parliaments to stop a legislative process, or even, through another procedure, to get some legislation withdrawn. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)