Speeches

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen! Yesterday, the heads of state and government met at the climate conference, and the European Union was represented by Viktor Orbán and Giorgia Meloni. I'd like to ask Ursula von der Leyen if she's embarrassed. Europe is the continent that warms the fastest of all. And now, after Donald Trump's election victory, it's up to us! Madam President von der Leyen, you must take the lead now. Unfortunately, you haven't done that yet. This climate conference must be a success. Negotiate with finance ministers so that Europe can put money on the table. And make sure that Europe announces its new climate target in the coming months, so that others follow suit. Frau von der Leyen, leadership means taking responsibility and organizing that it works.

Madam President, Commissioner! We Greens want the plants to continue to work, for the people in the automotive industry to have work. But anyone who pretends that we can simply continue to build burners does not tell the truth, he scatters sand in people's eyes. Yes, Europe's automotive industry is in crisis, but that's because of the combustion engine, not the electric car. We have to deal with the facts. The central problem of the European automotive industry is that China's car manufacturers are driving away from it. Their lead in battery technology and digitalization is enormous. One third of all German cars are sold in China, where every second new car is an electric car. The automotive industry is doing badly because it has put too much on the combustion engine and too little on e-mobility. What about e-fuels? They aren't even available to buy today. The global planning for e-fuel production over the next ten years is not even sufficient to cover ten percent of Germany's demand in the chemical industry, shipping and air traffic, and automobile traffic is not even included. I'm sorry. Whoever pretends that e-fuels will save the industry ridicules the workers who fear for their jobs. That there will be a transformation of the automotive industry is decided by the market. Global sales of electric cars increased by 25 percent at the beginning of 2024. Ladies and gentlemen, ‘We can't do it!’ must not be the motto of Europe as an automotive location. In order to save the plants and the automotive industry, we now need a feat of strength and technological clarity for the electric car. A European industrial policy for e-mobility must include a law for e-cars in corporate fleets.

Madam President, Commissioner! Today we are discussing the forest fires in Portugal and Greece. During the last week of the plenary session, we had to debate the floods in half of Europe. And unfortunately this makes it clear: The climate crisis has reached our latitudes. And it costs people lives in the here and now, it costs people their existence. And these forest fires, they just show anew: The climate crisis is the wealth-destroying machine of our time. Of course, we have to adapt, of course, but no flood polder in the world is deep enough and no extinguishing water tank large enough to withstand an unbridled climate crisis. We need real climate protection, real solutions. As the European Union, we have already achieved a number of things: The Green Deal and the expansion of solar and wind energy have been huge successes. Let us show in this House that we can do more, that we keep our promise to protect our citizens and their livelihoods.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! The floods are unbearable, and my deepest thanks go to the firefighters, the security forces, who in part give their lives to save people. But the floods are not just a natural disaster; The intensity and frequency are man-made. We have to stick to the facts. The EU Commission itself says that the climate crisis in Europe has already caused damage of 650 billion euros. One degree more means that 7% more water absorption takes place in the air, and that means more rain and more flooding. Europe has already warmed by 2.3 degrees. Science has already established that the reason for the severity of these floods is the climate crisis. These are the facts, and it is incomprehensible to me that in times of falling asylum numbers we are talking about migration, but we are displacing these problems. The mother, the father and the root cause of all problems in the future is the climate crisis. As a father of two little daughters, it's important to me: The protection of their generation, their livelihood, their freedom is not an ideology. Climate protection is the task of our generation. Let's work with the facts! We need to improve climate protection.

Mr President, Commissioner! First of all, let's talk about the renewable energies that work. We already produce more energy, more electricity from sun and wind than from fossils, more electricity comes from wind power than is produced from gas. This is our European success story and it must continue and it must accelerate. Because it is also clear: The more electricity we produce with the domestic renewables, the faster we get the prices down for our industry and for our households. It's very simple: A renewable electricity system means competitiveness. Dependence on gas and coal means that energy prices are twice, three times higher than in other regions of the world. And when I hear now that you should bet on gas, then you have to notice two things about it: Firstly, Mario Draghi has just stated that the high energy prices in Europe are due to the consumption of gas, because of the dependence on gas. And secondly, we must then continue to transfer billions abroad, mostly to dictators – and we do not want that. The 18% that we are still importing from Russia is not a success, it is far too much. This is still funding the bombs targeting Ukraine, and this must stop. I hope that we can achieve a lot in the next few years, because there is a lot to do. Over the next five years, CO2emissions are reduced by 22%. The member states have presented plans that are absolutely not sufficient. Energy efficiency must increase by 11 percentage points. The renewables targets – there is still a gap of seven percentage points. If we want to win against dependence on dictators, against high energy prices and against the climate crisis, then we have to gain a tooth, then we have to close these gaps. That is the task of the next Commission.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Four and a half years ago, the European Parliament – and the Conservatives, by the way – declared a climate emergency here. We promised citizens that we would listen to their call for genuine climate protection and modernisation. And today? Today, a fossil alliance of conservatives to the far right is attacking European climate protection. Incidentally, also in the emissions trading system, in the transport sector, in the building sector. If it were up to you, we would not achieve the climate goals. You want it Green Deal and stifle our prosperity. But I tell you: Not with us! This is not the way to deal with the future, with the fates of citizens, with the planet and our prosperity. The women activists of Fridays for Future were supposed to sit in the spectator stands. You have it Green Deal We will fight, and this story will continue. And even if they are not allowed to be here and follow this democratic debate, they are Call Clearly: We must finally spend our money on climate protection and justice instead of on coal, oil and gas. But Rita and Rosmarie from the KlimaSeniorinnen are also sitting in the grandstand. They have achieved civilisational progress in court with heart and soul: Climate protection is now a human right. And it is true: Climate protection is the protection of humanity. The European elections will decide whether this will continue. Save the European climate protection! Save it Green Deal!

Mr President, it’s a point of order, really, to the debate, not speaking time. We have invited activists from the Fridays for Future movement. Some of them have been here already, in 2019, and they want to follow the debate. The services are not letting them in. I think they have the right to follow the debate about climate and to follow the debate about the future. This is unacceptable for us. Let them in.

Mr President, dear Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! This reform should be a big hit and make the European electricity market crisis-proof and fit for 100% renewable energy. But what came out? A rebuke and a rain of money for the coal and nuclear industries on taxpayers' backs. Expensive and uneconomic nuclear power is to be promoted in the same way as renewables, and unfortunately we are losing time and money for the energy transition. But a few good things we Greens were able to enforce: No one has to sit in the dark because of exploding electricity costs. The electricity barriers are banned throughout Europe, entity sharing, balcony solar becomes child's play. Soon we will be able to share homemade electricity with friends and family. We made that possible. We need to continue the Green Deal, which ensures prosperity. But instead of putting Europe on the track for climate-neutral prosperity, conservatives are clinging to the past and wanting to abolish the Green Deal. But we need more modernisation, more renewable energies and more climate protection in the next legislature.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, This is a looser law. It makes sense to have a standard that is demanding, noticeably improves air quality, but remains feasible. These are the words of the boss of the world's largest automotive supplier, Bosch. And what is on the table is none of it – it is undemanding, there is no improvement in standards and air quality. And it shows the core of the problem: You doubt, you hesitate, you stick to old fossil technology, and we lose touch. In doing so, we are giving up the lead of the European automotive industry, because staying still means staying behind. Soon the standards will be made in China and no longer here in the European Parliament. If this is your Industrial deal Good night, then. Economic policy does not mean putting your hands in the lap, economic policy means enabling inventiveness, promoting new things, modernizing and staying ahead. You're missing our chance!

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, The European Environment Agency is sounding the alarm: Europe is hardest hit by and ill-prepared for the climate crisis on all continents. This is specifically about farmers in Spain who will soon no longer be able to grow anything on their fields because of the heat and because there is not enough water available. It is about people who live in Hamburg, Bremen, Amsterdam, Athens and whose houses are specifically threatened by floods. This is a security risk, and climate protection is the best security. The Green Deal must continue, and it finally needs a law to adapt to the climate crisis. We need to upgrade our homes, our bridges, our railways, our cities, our fields and our ecosystems to withstand the climate crisis – and the CDU and Manfred Weber call this ideology. But those who do not protect the climate do not protect people. Stop doing this destructive thing! Climate protection is the protection of humanity.

The reports that the Germans voted against are not correct; Maybe you'll find out a little better. But what's true is what you said: We need to take international responsibility. However, this does not mean that climate protection should be pursued elsewhere for us. This means that we are taking on our historical responsibility, and this means that we must already achieve climate protection, climate neutrality as soon as possible, preferably in 2040. I also have a question for you, Mr Liese: You said yesterday that there are officials working in the Commission who are just thinking about torturing European citizens, European industry and European farmers. Don't you think it's anti-EU populist? Don't you want to apologize to them?

Mr President! Commissioner, your climate target is timid. It is the minimum of what is scientifically necessary. Even Söder and Aiwanger in Bavaria want to be climate neutral in 2040. So, only 90% reduction is really not an overload. The economy wants bold, long-term climate goals because prosperity secures and investment security creates. And the CDU thinks brakes are economic policy. Brakes don't create growth and jobs! Mr Hoekstra, CCS is not a solution to the climate crisis, as you said in November, and now you are doing the opposite: Gas and coal-fired power plants should simply run longer – with CCS. This technology is not developed, it is extremely expensive and a huge gift for gas and coal companies. Stop the fog candles! Let's take what works – that's cheap energy from the sun and wind and bold climate action. (The speaker agreed to answer a question on the blue card procedure.)

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen! China, the US, the whole world is promoting their solar industry through major state programmes – only Europe thinks the market regulates it. Don't be so naive! The European solar industry is on the verge of ruin. And we Greens, we call on you as the EU Commission to: Don't let that happen! If the European solar factories shut down now, they won't come back. Then millions of jobs and billions in sales go through our rags. Three ideas on what the EU can do now: Firstly: If you finance solar systems with EU funds, you have to buy European solar systems. Secondly: Buy the solar panels from the manufacturers now. And thirdly: Start a new program: One million European solar plants on one million European debt roofs. These are win-win-win situations. It's just before twelve. Do something!

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen! Today, the largest producer of solar modules in Europe, Meyer Burger, has announced that it will leave Europe. This is a wake-up call. Why? Because the solar industry creates many millions of jobs, just like other industries of the energy transition, heat pumps, battery cells, electrolysers, etc. These are the good and safe jobs of tomorrow, the jobs that feed many people and families and give them security. The United States with the Inflation Reduction Act They have much better conditions than Europe. The EU Net-Zero Industry Act Do not burn, he is half-hearted and weak. We are losing this race for the future industries. We have a responsibility in this House to ensure that good jobs remain in Europe. Security doesn't exist if you stick your head in the fossil sand and pretend the challenges aren't there. There is security and good jobs if we solve the problems. This means that we must face the reality of the fossil climate crisis and finally see the transition to climate neutrality as an opportunity. Do not saw at the Green Deal; This will enable you to see the future viability of our continent and the livelihoods of our citizens. Let's win this race. Let's make sure that the solar industry in Europe has a future. Let us ensure that the industries of the future provide millions of safe and good jobs for our European citizens.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen! 2023 was the hottest year in human history – with floods, storms, fires everywhere, with high costs for humanity and for the economy. We are still on a 2.9-degree earth heating path, and Professor Schellnhuber has told us at 3 degrees it means the end of human civilization. This has not changed at this climate conference. It's good to finally say after 28 years that we need to get out of coal, oil and gas. But now words must also be followed by deeds. I negotiated the electricity market here this morning until 5 a.m., and new fossil subsidies were decided for the dirtiest coal-fired power plants. That must not be the message. What needs to happen now is that we finally have a new nationally determined contribution – minus 95 percent at least by 2040. There must be no more fossil lobbyists in the European Union delegation, and we finally need the end of fossil subsidies, as climate commissioner Hoekstra promised us. Thus, we could turn onto the 2-degree path. But there is still a lot of work to be done, and the Commissioner is on our side.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Do you remember the summer? Greece and Libya were flooded, and Australia is still burning. And most do not expect anything from the next climate conference, because at the top is an oil boss. Let me tell you: We can't afford it! Putting your hands in your lap means a 3 degree hotter world. Climate protection is too important. In Dubai, we as a global community must make it clear that we are finally putting an end to coal, oil and gas, that Europe recognises its climate debt, and that by 2030 the expansion of wind and solar energy will triple and energy efficiency will double. Yes, the path is wide and the opponent is big, but every tenth of a degree counts. We don't give up until the job is done. Dear Commissioner Hoekstra, show in Dubai that you are not a paper tiger!

Yes, dear Peter Liese, you voted for the Climate Protection Act, you voted for the LULUCF Regulation. 10% of Europe's climate target comes from nature. How will you achieve this if you vote against this law? If you vote against the law, you vote against climate protection, against the Green Deal, against Ursula von der Leyen's big project. We are not meeting our climate goals.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Among the ten best-selling electric car models in 2022, only one is from the European Union. The rest comes from the United States and China. Unfortunately, European manufacturers have already missed the mark here, and some in this House are still clinging to e-fuels and combustion engines, making the modernisation of the economy even more difficult. It is clear: If you want to maintain good jobs and industry, you now have to invest in modernization. This means: Of course, we quickly need many charging stations for electric cars, for electric trucks. But that's not all. Mobility is changing. We also need e-buses, more traffic on rails and cycle paths, and we need one thing above all else: broad support for the Green Deal and the green modernisation of the economy. With your fight against the Green Deal, you are fighting against modernisation and promoting deindustrialisation. Dear colleagues, stand by the Green Deal, create security for jobs, for industry, for investment, for ensuring that Europe does not run out of steam in the race for global market leadership!

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, You will agree with me: We want a strong economy and a strong industry. The race has begun all over the world. The US is investing $400 billion to set up new climate industries, China is doing the same - and what is Europe doing? We are arguing about climate protection. You, the Conservatives, want to take a break. And what is the result? The only company that manufactures solar systems in Europe again said yesterday that it wants to go to the US. That's fatal. It will destroy tomorrow's jobs. If we continue in this way, then the question of where solar plants, wind turbines, electrolysers and heat pumps will be produced in the future will unfortunately have to be answered in this way: Not in Europe.

Madam President, dear colleagues, climate activists need to be protected and we need them now more than ever – these are not my words; these are the words of the UN Secretary—General, António Guterres, on the recent events in Germany. And you want to do the opposite – you want to criminalise them; you want to silence them and you want to silence the debate on the climate emergency. But whether you approve or disapprove of their actions, they have fundamental rights. They have a right to a voice; they have a right to protest. And it’s our duty as parliamentarians to uphold these rights. This is the essence of democracy. So, let us listen to the interference of the UN Secretary—General and protect their rights. Please, colleagues, vote against this request by the ECR Group.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen! You may have seen this chart in the World Climate Report. I looked at that. I didn't realize what it meant at first, but it's existential: Children born in 2020 can experience a world three degrees hotter when they are 45 years old. This means that billions are affected by droughts, famines and floods. It's a cold world, a world without freedom. You may also know someone who was born in 2020. With me, it's my daughter. The UN Secretary-General has said that the rich countries must become climate neutral as early as 2040. We in the European Parliament, we are still deciding this year, we are still talking about our climate target for 2040 this year. Ladies and gentlemen, in which world do you want to live? Let's choose a climate-neutral world, a world where we can guarantee the freedom of ourselves and our children.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, A journalist recently asked me if the Greens had now discovered the market. No, we have always been for the market, but we are above all for climate protection, and this requires market and bidding. The market alone is not enough, dear Peter Liese. The invisible hand of the market, which does not build solar panels on the roof and which also does not renovate houses. This requires craftsmen and craftsmen. This requires clear rules. Moses did not receive ten markets, but ten commandments. The market alone is unfair. Social support is needed, and this Social Climate Fund is unfortunately far too small for that. CO2 needs a price. But revenues must be returned directly to the population, for example through a European climate money. This is how climate protection and justice go together. So there is still a lot to do. But tomorrow we celebrate! Emissions trading is a big step for climate protection. CO2 must cost as much as it destroys. And we are now making climate pollution so expensive that it is simply no longer worth it. What does that mean? After the nuclear phase-out in Germany, a Europe-wide coal phase-out is coming soon, in 2030. From 2040 onwards, there will be no new CO2 pollution rights. And to all those who complain about the German nuclear phase-out, but praise the ETS, I say: You didn't understand! Emissions trading is exactly the instrument that makes it clear that we have no additional emissions despite the nuclear phase-out. So we have taken a huge step forward in climate protection. Coal companies and industry know: Soon the pollution party will be over. And for citizens, it means more climate protection, more freedom and more freedom for future generations. This is a green success!

We are talking about energy security, and we see that with the current legislation, the electricity market design and the RED, it will be in place in two years, and that leads to investors basically now waiting for two years for the more beneficial setting. So now, we need to bridge these two years. There is the idea of a renewable energy booster, a European-wide tender of 120 gigawatt – 60 gigawatt solar, 60 gigawatt wind – and it could also help to bridge the gap between the 40% renewable target from the Council in the renewable energy trilogue, and the 45% of you and of us the Parliament. So what do you say about such a renewable booster? I think it would be a great idea also to Europeanise the electricity market. Do you agree that we should have something like this?

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, The Green Deal is the key legislative package of this legislature. We have made a promise to our voters, to our children, to future generations, to contain the climate crisis, to comply with the climate goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change. That's what we're going to be measured against. But also in this House, and especially on the part of the Conservatives, attempts are being made to bring down central elements of the Green Deal. If they vote against the end of the combustion engine, against climate protection in transport, then they vote against the climate targets. If they vote against the refurbishment of houses, they vote against the climate targets. When it comes to the oath, you do not run away – according to the motto: Wash my fur, but don't get me wet. The industry wants clear specifications, especially when it comes to combustion engines. You can stick to the past, but the US and China are totally passing us by in terms of industrial policy. Climate industries, solar cells, wind turbines, green steel and yes, especially electric cars – these are the safe jobs of tomorrow. Those who refuse to progress are fuelling deindustrialization. So don't screw it up! We need to benefit from the boom of the climate industry. To the address of the German Federal Government, I say: They act just like the elephant in the china shop. This jeopardizes how laws are made here in Europe. You voted for the burner-off. Stand by your behavior. Otherwise, there is no holding back for other states. Then everyone will always try to squeeze something out for themselves at the very end.