EU vs Business, Red Team vs Green Team


First tensions are emerging between EU lawmakers and businesses as plans are cemented to implement EU targets for climate change.

Joining the Red Team this week are French Prime Minister Nicolas Sarkozy and the European Trade Union Confederation, and joining the Green Team please welcome European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso.

Unions in Europe have expressed fears that up to 50,000 steelworkers’ jobs could be lost if production is moved outside of the EU as businesses face additional costs for Co2 emissions. At the same time, the French Prime Minister has published a letter cautioning Brussels against “unnecessarily penalising the prospects of growth”.

Responding in an address to the EU Parliament, Jose Manuel Barroso told members “We knew from the very beginning that transforming Europe into a low-carbon economy is not an easy task. But this is the moment to be serious, responsible and coherent with our commitment”. Barroso continued his defence stating that taking a lead in fighting climate change means European industries will benefit from “first mover advantage” in clean energy technologies, boost economic competitiveness and create jobs.

Recognising that many industries may be tempted to relocate, the EU are considering imposing import taxes on certain goods from nations which do not impose similar carbon restrictions. “What we don’t want is for companies to fire people in Europe and relocate to cheaper, dirtier locations,” says European Trade Union Confederation General Secretary John Monks.

In this first test of the delicate balance required between reducing Co2 emissions and maintaining a healthy economy we fully expect to see some fiery debates as groups seek to protect interests and law-makers attempt to honour pledges.

We are also certain that there will be winners and losers. Let’s hope that at least there are more winners than losers.

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January 16th, 2008
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Comment Number:
1
Written by:
ClimateHeretic
Posted on:
January 17, 2008 at 1:05 am

“We knew from the very beginning that transforming Europe into a low-carbon economy is not an easy task. But this is the moment to be serious, responsible and coherent with our commitment”.

turns into this in the same paragraph

will benefit from “first mover advantage” in clean energy technologies, boost economic competitiveness and create jobs.

Do these statements seem to be in direct contridiction to each other to anyone other than me?

Comment Number:
2
Written by:
Mark
Posted on:
January 17, 2008 at 10:22 am

I would have thought that they were more complimentary, perhaps if worded: Benefiting from “first mover advantage” in clean energy technologies, boosting economic competitiveness and creating jobs AND “transforming Europe into a low-carbon economy is not an easy task. But this is the moment to be serious, responsible and coherent with our commitment.”

I think his point is that it is clearly not easy, but being competitive never is??

Comment Number:
3
Written by:
ClimateHeretic
Posted on:
January 17, 2008 at 6:17 pm

Now you have to place both comments in context. It is amazing how things can be taken to mean almost anything out of context.

These comments are in the context of adressing the concerns about the world economy and individual economies inside the EU and the potential impacts that the move to low-carbon will cause, specifically on the steel industry.

“Unions in Europe have expressed fears that up to 50,000 steelworkers’ jobs could be lost if production is moved outside of the EU as businesses face additional costs for Co2 emissions. At the same time, the French Prime Minister has published a letter cautioning Brussels against “unnecessarily penalising the prospects of growth”.

Why would you first say it was going to be hard? Because these jobs are leaving. Growth has been restricted. It is common politics to say here is the bad news first, now here is something that should cheer you up.

If you are going to benefit from the *groan* “green” economy of supplying the world with green tech and being better able to slide under your cap in 2009, then there really are no impacts as your green collar jobs will stave off the recession, right?

So why state anything will be hard, it is all gravy from here.

Why are they not saying;

“With the mass relocation of dirty pollution causing industries like steel manufacturing, the EU is positioned to create many more green collar jobs as we replace our energy infrastructure. We will begin the process of re-training the steel workers to become solar panel installation technicians immediately…”

Comment Number:
4
Written by:
ClimateHeretic
Posted on:
January 17, 2008 at 6:40 pm

As a side note… Al Gore will be happy to hear Barrasso say “But this is the moment to be serious, responsible and coherent with our commitment” as this echoes his nobel and bali speeches when he called on world leaders to inspire their countries and mobilize for “a difficult and protracted” war.

Comment Number:
5
Written by:
From Climate Change to Climate Changed - When Climate Change is no Longer News | TalkClimateChange
Posted on:
January 21, 2008 at 5:31 pm

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