Contrary to expectations, the draft resolution calling for a comprehensive EU strategy to be adopted by the European Parliament to limit the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations in developing countries fell five votes short of the 685 votes cast on Wednesday 19 May.
This own-initiative report called for a comprehensive EU strategy, including a migration policy that extends the protection of existing legal mechanisms to guarantee the rights of people forced to move, within or across borders.
The day before, there seemed to be a broad consensus, except for the provisions on migration policy and the eligibility of climate migrants for humanitarian protection (see EUROPE 12721/8). The idea of a humanitarian climate visa, induced by climate change or a natural disaster and giving the right to temporary admission, was opposed by the right wing of the House (EPP, ECR, ID), causing the disappointment of the Greens/EFA group, which abstained.
An amendment from the EPP stated that international cooperation should prevent and anticipate migration through investment, adaptation to climate change, and support for the resilience of local communities, as well as prevent forced displacement. Another amendment from the right to remove the reference to the legal doctrine of non-refoulement was, however, rejected.
If the Greens abstained, it was clear that the EPP, the ECR group, and ID would have the majority. The draft resolution was rejected by 260 votes (255 in favour, 170 abstentions), much to the dismay of rapporteur Mónica Silvana González (S&D, Spain), who referred to the EPP and the Greens as being “back to back”.
She criticised “the right’s climate change denial and inability to separate migration from climate phenomena” and “the Greens, with their maximalist positions, [which] prevent progress on a minimum protection agenda for vulnerable climate-displaced people”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)