A disturbing background noise began to be heard in European political circles. More and more regions and even states are questioning the pace of action taken to halt climate change or preserve air quality.. Currently, the European Union is the leading force in adopting environmental and climate policies on the planet, but this may come to an end if some are successful. Suggestions tending to “make it more flexible” or “soften” this strategy even come from EC president Ursula von der Leyen herself.
A few days ago, von der Leyen (the organizer of the so-called European Green Pact) commented: We must pay attention to the capacity of the European economy to “absorb” environmental changes. The President was referring to measures affecting the strong agriculture and livestock industry that spanned many facets, including, among other things, limitations on macrofarms or a proposal to reduce pesticide use by 50%.
This Union-wide unions and farm organizations mobilizing millions of people are expressing their growing discontent.considering that their income is threatened by these regulatory batteries.
But von der Layen’s proposal was joined by that of French President Emmanuel Macron, who this month presented a proposal for the reindustrialization of his country and called for reindustrialisation. “Regulatory pause” on environmental issues. “It’s time to implement, no need to change any more rules, because otherwise we will lose a lot of people along the way,” said the French president.
And there’s more: On the same Wednesday, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo was in favor of a “pause” in European climate legislation, like France, at a time of rising voices from the European Union. Brussels will hit the brakes.
“At some point, you have to make a decision Isn’t it time to do everything at once?“, asked the prime minister on the Flemish public channel VRT.
Madrid and Barcelona call for a “more realistic approach”
Some regions also joined the majority and are calling for more relaxation in regulations on this issue. status of this group Cities that are part of the Regional Air Quality Initiativeconsisting of eight European regions and within Madrid and Catalonia.
These cities asked the European Commission to “make more flexible” compliance with air quality limits, and set “realistic ceilings”. Both cities are among the most polluted and therefore have received warnings (and sanctions) from community officials to reduce said pollution.
Generalitat’s Climate Action Department has told Europa Press it supports the proposed Air Quality Directive being processed, but agrees that it is necessary to reformulate the phrase “as soon as possible”. “a more realistic approach to every situation” and considering the starting point the initial regulatory framework is about weather and other conditions.
Expressing their dissatisfaction with the current system, cities in this group suggested to the EC “to develop ambitious but realistic boundaries”. The Generalitat insists that lowering thresholds is “in no event” desirable and accepts the values of the future Directive “with possible flexibility”.
Teresa Ribera against environmental relief
In all this situation, The Spanish government emerged to defend the existing framework. Ecological Transition Minister Teresa Ribera described the Regional Air Quality Initiative’s request as “inappropriate” regarding this latest state of cities and regulation of pollution levels.
According to the Ministry, this proposal “It puts people’s lives at risk”According to sources cited by Europa Press, the health of citizens is at stake.
The Ribera department considers that the measures to reduce pollution cannot be relaxed and fully ensures that the revision of the Air Quality Directive is one of the priorities of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
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Contact address of the environment department: [email protected]