Ambition for the climate, the environment, biodiversity, the competitiveness of a modern, job-creating, climate-neutral European economy by 2050 and socially just: the Executive Vice-President appointed to the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans, juggled Tuesday evening, 8 October, throughout his entire hearing before MEPs, from one emergency to another, from one concept to another, from one language to another, without ever being caught in trouble or put in a difficult spot.
His introductory speech, “inspiring”, according to Bas Eickhout (Greens/EFA, the Netherlands), was much applauded. His answers to the multitude of questions on climate, more specific than on ‘zero pollution’ or sustainable food, seemed to seduce a majority of MEPs, even if the EPP and ECR groups were more reserved than the Social Democrats, Renew Europe and the Greens/EFA.
The Dutch Social Democrat seemed to have made a successful presentation to the European Parliament's Committees on the Environment (ENVI), Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and Transport (TRAN).
Helping Ursula von der Leyen to achieve results by piloting the ‘European Green Deal’, which is the ‘hallmark’ of the future Commission, with the climate set as a priority, is Mr Timmermans' stated intention. He spoke of ‘Transformational Mechanics’ that requires rationalising and improving policies for the future of our children and grandchildren. “We can't afford to fail. We know the problems, the consequences for the inhabitants, the future. Young people want us to act now”, he said, pleading for action that is equal to the challenge and that takes into account the reality of the challenges: “bread, heating, school for children, making ends meet”. Their world will only be a success if everyone succeeds.
He called for aid for the renovation of social housing, aid for motorists (not a world without cars, but a world without polluting cars), aid for coal-mining regions, so that no one is left behind in a movement of profound transformation of European society, which will have to involve everyone.
“I am ready to work with you for a brighter future”, he told MEPs. “I will introduce, within 100 days of 1 November, a climate law to anchor climate neutrality in legislation”, he announced (see EUROPE 12337/1).
When asked why he was considering a two-step procedure by 2021 – a 50% reduction in emissions, or even 55%, as a 2030 target – Mr Timmermans replied that a prior analysis was needed, but that he would “not be surprised” if the analysis concluded at 55%. “We do not want an empty shell, but to allow room for manoeuvre for Member States. I want to introduce myself with a climate bill that says where we want to be in 2050, but with intermediate objectives”, he justified.
No questions were asked about the difficulties that could result from the size of his portfolio. But, by his own admission, the one who will lead a team of eight Commissioners and will have to orchestrate the integration of the Green Deal into all relevant sectoral policies, has repeatedly stated that policy coherence will be the most difficult task.
“Should we not change the tax rules and exclude green investments from the rules on the public deficit, from the calculation of the debt?”, asked Eleonera Evi (Italy, unregistered). Mr Timmermans replied that the economic situation of all countries must be taken into account, which contributes to sustainability. However, he does not “propose a sui generis exclusion from the fiscal rules” and referred to the indications given on the same day by the Vice-President-designate, Valdis Dombroskis, and the Commissioner-designate, Paolo Gentiloni.
ETS. According to Mr Timmermans, it is necessary to either convince non-Member States to do the same thing as the EU or impose a border adjustment tax. It is “an interesting proposal, in line with WTO rules”, to create a level playing field with countries that are less virtuous in terms of climate protection.
Nils Torvalds (Renew Europe, Finland) asked him whether to wait for an impact assessment or take the opportunity in 2030 to impose stricter emission standards or expand the ETS. In Mr Timmermans’ opinion, there is no choice between one or the other: “ETS should be extended to aviation and maritime transport, not excluding the possibility of stricter standards in European legislation”, with the IPCC report on 1.5°C showing that much more needs to be done.
Betting on hydrogen. On the energy side, a key aspect of the climate transition, Frans Timmermans has repeatedly highlighted the potential of hydrogen, expressing his intention to work on a “hydrogen strategy” and to make Europe a world leader in this field.
“In my dreams, I would create a partnership with Africa, especially North Africa, and we would help build huge solar energy capacities in Africa and turn that energy into hydrogen, and then transport that hydrogen to other parts of the world and Europe, through the existing means we already have”, he also said.
Responding to Marie Toussaint (Greens/EFA, France), who asked him when he intended to end direct and indirect subsidies to fossil fuels, including gas, the Dutchman acknowledged that these energy sources should be quickly abandoned and that this would require, once again, coherence in European policies.
Nevertheless, in his view, although gas is not a sustainable source of energy, it “will be part of the transition to sustainable energy”.
According to him, investments in gas infrastructure could even prove useful. In the near future, he hopes that these can be transformed to be used for the transport of hydrogen, an energy source he described as “absolutely sustainable”.
Responding to Silvia Modig (GUE/NGL, Finland), he also stated that he supported the move from unanimity to qualified majority voting in the field of energy taxation, through the use of bridging clauses, a proposal already made by the Commission in early April (see EUROPE 12232/8).
Industry. Asked by his Dutch compatriot Esther de Lange (EPP) how he planned to meet the EU's climate objectives while maintaining a strong European industry, Mr Timmermans acknowledged that this was a huge challenge.
In response, he stressed not only the need to work hand in hand with the entire College of Commissioners in order to maintain coherence – in particular with the potential future Vice-Presidents for Competition and Economy, Margrethe Vestager and Valdis Dombrovskis respectively – but also to support the regions most dependent on fossil industries.
To this end, he stressed the importance of setting up coherent plans for financing the market sector, through InvestEU, for example, but also the non-market sector, such as training, in order to redirect minors in particular.
In his view, the new Commission's task towards countries such as Poland, Slovakia, Greece, Spain and Germany will be to provide them with a clear perspective and show them the opportunities offered by the transition so that they can engage in a new economy.
Lead by example internationally. Many MEPs have asked him how he intends to convince countries like China, India or the United States, which are major contributors to global emissions, while the EU contributes only 9% of emissions. Frans Timmermans said he was confident that he could convince China “whose cities are suffocating”. For the United States, it comes down to the federated states.
Above all, however, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs wants the EU to set an example. “We have a unique opportunity to lead the world towards a better and more sustainable future. If we succeed in our European Green Deal, it will have an impact on the rest of the world.” The same goes for the global fight against biodiversity loss (COP15 in China). He did not convince Silvia Sardonne (ID, Italy), who accused him of believing Greta Thunberg, who failed to know precisely “how a megaton of oil equivalent could actually be replaced over 30 years”.
Circular economy/Sustainable food supply. For Roberta Metsola (EPP, Malta), reducing single-use plastics is only a first step in addressing the limits of recycling for hazardous products. Mr Timmermans agreed with her.
With regard to the farm-to-fork strategy for sustainable food, Mr Timmermans stressed that consumers “want to know what is on their table. I want to tell them that what is on their plate did not cause deforestation. 80% of deforestation is due to the search for arable land for food or fodder. We need to regulate”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang and Damien Genicot)