What levels of credibility has theEurope on green reforms? Packages of regulations that before changing (at best, extending) our lives with rules of environmental sustainability,, affect the way of producing and marketing goods and services.
A more effective and global response is in the hands of the Environment Commission of the European Parliament. Three decisive topics on the agenda with related regulatory proposals erga omnes: reduction of packaging, CO2 emission standards for lorry, use of pesticides.
The EU must accelerate or everything stops
On packaging the proposal passed with the reduction of plastic packaging with this plan: 10% by 2030, 15% by 2035 and 20% by 2040. A plan that is the result of exhausting mediations. The other topics have had a difficult process because the political groups in their countries (and not only) declare themselves green, lovers of the planet, friends of nature, but then in Brussels they go in no particular order.
MEPs are subjected to enormous pressure which makes them inconsistent. What is expected is a valid synthesis for all European citizens.
Packaging, CO2, pesticides: the topics under discussion
On packaging, the most controversial point concerned the introduction of the obligation to refill and reuse packages, or the ban on certain types of packaging. The timing past should satisfy industry and consumers despite initial criticism from farmers.
Of CO2 emissions we know everything or almost everything. They are the snipers of modern life. The Commission discusses emission reduction targets for new heavy vehicles.
However, road transport remains (and will remain) the most used. The discussion is focused on the timing of entry into force - 2035, 2040 - of the abatement limits 100% of discharges. The limit applies to both professional vehicles and trucks weighing less than 5 tonnes. What (and if) will be decided? Why are MEPs arguing about the harmful effects of five years? The political positions are a reflection of both the automotive industry and the large-scale transportation of goods. So the trucks will continue to travel but will we get rid of the deadly waste or not?
The use of pesticides it is the "black hand" of agriculture made in Europe. Agrochemical fertilizers are bad. Are they eliminated or not? Aside from the confusion over glyphosate, MEPs essentially have to decide whether it should be banned by 2030 or 2035. According to the mathematical formula that calculates national contributions for agriculture – reports theHandle from Brussels – Italy should reduce pesticides by 62% in just over six years. We will see who opposes it and for what reasons.
The meeting of the Commission is, therefore, special observation for economic interests, because the process of these regulations was very long but above all, as we were saying, to understand the degree of credibility of the European Parliament on the most impactful strategy of this legislature. A historic fiasco or a success to be plastered on the holy cards of the next 2024 elections?
