The document was for internal use but the site Euractiv has just published its contents. It is a confidential note from BusinessEurope, the organisation headed by Pierre Gattaz, which brings together the major European employers' associations. The note of this European Medef unveils its strategy in the negotiations with the European Union on global warming. Objective: how to counteract all the measures aimed at reducing the production of greenhouse gases in Europe.
Ahe European employers intend to support the fight against global warming... but only on the surface. If BusinessEurope intends to give a rather positive reception to the European climate policy, this support will only be valid". as long as we're talking about a political statement with no implications... "It is also important to be precise about the existing commitments under the Paris climate agreement.
Business Europe's strategy echoes the announcement by the European Commissioner for Climate Action, Miguel Arias Cañete, who recently proposed to raise the targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The Spaniard believes that the planned level of ambition was "de facto" exceeded by an agreement on the share of renewables and energy efficiency reached in June. He proposes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Europe by 45 % by 2030, compared to 40 % to date.
This position is also that of Jean-Claude Juncker, who stated in his State of the Union speech that the Parliament's will to raise the objectives was "...". scientifically accurate and politically necessary ".
The European employers' lobby advises its members to oppose Miguel Arias Cañete by "... using the usual argument "that the problem of global warming" being global, Europe cannot make efforts for others. "The document proposes to" downplay the issue "arguing that the increased ambitions" is not the most important thing and that "and that" the main thing is to persuade other major economies to put themselves on the same level as Europe ".
Finally, the memo emphasizes the fact that " call for more transparency on calculations, the need for impact studies and the risk of instability "that such a proposal would create. A way to delay the deadline.
Among the countries most advanced in their resistance to these changes, Germany, fearing that this could hinder the competitiveness of its industry, which is largely dependent on exports, is leading the way. Last August, Angela Merkel, in line with the strategy of the European Medef, spoke out against the revision of the climate objectives, saying that "[t]he European Union has not been able to achieve the climate change objectives in a timely manner". we should start by sticking to the goals we've already set for ourselves ".
With 30 Brussels-based lobbyists and an annual expenditure of more than €4 million, BusinessEurope is one of the most influential business interest groups in the EU policy-making process. It represents 40 business federations and 70 multinational companies - such as Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Bayer, Total or Ford - that pay to sit on its advisory support group.
Tara Connolly, Greenpeace activist, denounces the " political manoeuvring "of BusinessEurope, at a time when Europeans" are direct witnesses to the effects of climate change "after a summer marked by heat waves and drought that forced the EU to release funds to help farmers.
" The European Commission has a responsibility to move forward, to ignore the hype, lies and delaying tactics of the dinosaurs that are the European corporations. It would be irresponsible to fall into the trap of fear-mongering and ignore the economic, health and environmental dangers of climate change. "she says.
" BusinessEurope's opposition to any climate progress is well known, but this is the first time it has been made so explicit. "says Martin Pigeon, a spokesperson for Corporate Europe Observatory, an NGO that advocates for greater transparency and regulation of lobbying activities. With two months to go before COP24 in Poland, these revelations seem to illustrate the incompatibility between environmental issues and the economic interests of multinationals.
Source: Euractiv
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