03 March 2010 - EU’s ‘2020’ climate and energy strategy "is no Green New Deal”, warns Caroline Lucas

Greens in the European Parliament today criticised the European Commission’s new Communication on the ‘Europe 2020 Strategy’ at a Greens/EFA conference comparing the EU’s climate and energy strategy to the proposed ‘Green New Deal’ (1).

Green MEP for South-East England and member of the UK’s Green New Deal Group (2), Caroline Lucas, commented:

“The Commission Communication published today is simply more of the same. It reveals a short-sighted obsession with growth and competitiveness, and completely fails to provide a clear 2020 vision for a more sustainable future and a better quality of life in Europe.

“The EU 2020 Strategy does not recognise the crucial links between economic, environmental and social issues. Only a Green New Deal offers a joined up approach to the challenges we face – delivering new green jobs and sustainable economic solutions to the current crisis.

“The Commission is repeating the mistakes of the Lisbon Strategy by presenting a programme without demanding obligations. We need binding targets on resource and energy efficiency and for the preservation of biodiversity – as well as for social objectives. The restated 20/20/20 (3) targets in themselves are inadequate to properly address climate change, and they demonstrate a real lack of ambition for Europe’s future.

“What’s more, the Commission’s rigid attachment to GDP growth as the driving target for economic development is a recipe for repeated failure. GDP growth does not automatically provide improved social equality, better environmental protection or a happier life for citizens. New indicators are needed. Greens would like to see a target in the EU 2020 Strategy for better distribution of income.

“The Greens also regret that Barroso caved in to pressure from Member States and backtracked on the crucial question of conditionality for European funding. European funds must only be allocated where environmental and social conditions are fulfilled. The EU’s structural funds are doing more to contribute to climate change than to fight it in some cases. This must change.”

Lucas concluded: “The weakness of the Commission’s Communication on the EU 2020 Strategy is the logical conclusion of its lack of consultation with the European Parliament, social partners, civil society and regional and local actors. We must all now unite to present a better vision for 2020."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

(1) Programme: http://www.greens-efa.org/cms/default/dok/328/328736.europe_2020_agenda_a_path_or_barrier_to@en.htm

(2) UK Green New Deal Group - http://www.greennewdealgroup.org/ 

(3)  The European Union adopted a unilateral 20% CO2 emissions reduction, (30% if other industrialised countries make comparable efforts) a 20% share of renewable energy and a (non-binding) aim of 20% increase of energy efficiency by 2020.