Environmental Organizations Warn
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz are pushing for swift decisions. © APA/AFP/Ludovic Marin
At a special EU summit in Alden-Biesen, Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) is urging lower energy costs, less bureaucracy and a reform of free certificates to strengthen competitiveness. Environmental organizations are warning against a weakening of the Green Deal.
Alden-Biesen – The EU special summit on Thursday focused on the competitiveness of Europe. Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) emphasized that his priority was clear: “Energy costs must come down, that is a crucial question,” as is the reduction of bureaucracy and the reform of free certificates. He, like other heads of state, is calling for swift decisions. The Commission is expected to present proposals by the conclude of March.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had already announced in advance that the EU bureaucracy would be further simplified, EU companies would be given preference in awarding contracts, and the Capital Markets Union would be advanced.
Austria’s Chancellor arrived with a competitiveness agenda containing five demands. The meeting addressed, among other things, the possible decoupling of gas and electricity prices, as well as measures against the so-called Austria surcharge.
“Momentum is Building”
The system of free certificates in the EU emissions trading scheme should likewise be evaluated and adjusted. The current system is disadvantageous for competitiveness. He had called for lower energy prices in advance, and now “momentum is building.”
The Chancellor emphasized that economic strength and climate protection should not be played off against each other. Europe needs economic performance to finance and implement the green transformation. Strengthening the economy’s ability to develop is a foundation for effective measures against climate change.
Sharp Criticism from Greenpeace
Criticism is coming from environmental organizations. Greenpeace warned of a massive attack on environmental standards and democratic processes. A leaked German-Italian discussion paper reportedly proposes significantly weakening democratic control mechanisms and environmental standards. WWF also warned against a weakening of the “Green Deal”. (APA, TT)
