Growing resistance to the Green Deal despite worrying proofs of the acceleration of the climate and biodiversity crises
At a moment when extreme weather events multiply in Italy and Spain and when the European Court of Auditors questions the ability of the EU to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% compared to 1990 levels by 2030, the resistance mentioned in our previous oped is just increasing.
Following the struggles around the proposed Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation, the Nature Restoration Law (NRL) failed to secure a majority in the European Parliament's Environment (ENVI) Committee on 27 June, thanks to manoeuvres that allowed members of other Committees to vote. Though there is still hope that the text will move forward in the plenary vote in July, the ENVI Committee vote is yet another damper to the European Green Deal. What is clearly missing is the common understanding of players involved that the issues at stake – biodiversity protection, ecosystem functioning, climate change mitigation – transcend party politics and political beliefs.
The pretext of food security is put forward even if the European Commission confirms that these legislations will not impact food security in the EU or elsewhere. Data show exactly the contrary: a healthy environment will be the best guaranty of food quality and availability.
While these key parts of the EU Green Deal struggle to gain sufficient support domestically, criticism of the CBAM and the deforestation regulation from the EU's trading partners, both bilaterally and multilaterally, continues unabated.
During the WTO Trade and Environment week, WTO members did not shy away from criticizing the EU for not taking developing countries’ input sufficiently into account in its unilateral trade measures. In fact, developing countries have long expressed their concerns in this regard. As argued in our recent GT14 Policy Paper, the time has come for a new EU approach to greening trade which should put more emphasis on development aspects and include improved transparency and predictability. We presented the paper at a side event during the WTO Trade and Environment Week 2023. Check out the recording here!
The situation on the ocean side is not better. From the 19th to the 23rd of June, members of the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) met in Santiago, Chile, for the Special meeting on marine protected areas. After six years of stalemate, high expectations from Antarctica staunchest defenders and one hope: gain at last China’s and Russia’s support for the protection of the Antarctic Peninsula MPA, the Weddell Sea MPA and the East Antarctic MPA. Sadly, once again the two countries blocked even the adoption of a timetable to recognise the three Antarctic MPAs.
On a positive note, however, China gave more information and engaged in several discussions along this burning issue, enabling CCAMLR members to believe that serious conversations with China are still possible. China also joined the EU and the US in swiftly ratifying the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
Finally, mobilisation is increasing to avoid that on the 9th of July a green light be given for the first time to deep sea mining exploitation. EJD is part of this mobilisation and will keep you posted!
Geneviève Pons and the EJD team