The environmental NGO Carbon Market Watch published a document on Thursday 7 May to expose the attempts by some industries “to use the coronavirus pandemic as a pretext to weaken international, European and national climate and carbon pricing laws”.
The NGO mentions in particular a letter from BusinessEurope (https://bit.ly/2W9yHaU ), an organisation that represents European employers, wherein it asks the European Commission “to extend all non-essential environment and climate-related consultations”, such as the one on the 'climate law', as well as “ certain deadlines to implement EU legislation”.
Being of the opinion that “there is no such thing as 'non-essential' climate and environmental regulation “, contrary to what BusinessEurope claims, Carbon Market Watch is concerned that such demands could “ undermine the EU's capacity to reach its climate objectives”.
The aviation industry is also targeted in the document, which denounces the efforts of said industry to obtain public bailouts without any environmental quid pro quo (see EUROPE 12472/23).
Stressing that it will be “ crucial” to “stick to the promises made in the European Green Deal”, the NGO calls for strict environmental conditions to be attached to any public aid intended to support a company.
To consult the document (in English): https://bit.ly/2SJEUZ8 (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)