Where Do Europe’s Parties Stand on the Environment

Europe’s Political Parties – Manifestos On The Environment

 Liberals

 Europe’s liberals call for “transitioning into sustainable development through a resource efficient and low carbon economy with a stronger emphasis on renewable energy will create new jobs and make us less was a reliant on energy imports.”

They go on to note that “in the process of upgrading these jobs, we will also ensure environmental and ecological sustainability for future generations.”

They also  state that “we will work for a sustainable economy that respects the natural environment.”

 PES

  Europe’s party of European Socialists take a progressive position on environmental policy. It is sen as part of an “ambitious European industrial policy to  promote innovative green technologies”.

In terms of trade agreements they offer a cautionary note and that all agreements “must be bound to the protection of people’s human and social rights, decent work, environmental standards…”.

They note that “European citizens deserve to be so safe and healthy life we want stronger rules of the consumer’s power. We will protect Europeans right to drive safe food, safe products …” and a safe living in.

The PES have a whole section on a “Green Europe”.

Here they back a strong line “global leadership on the protection of nature and natural resources and the fight against pollution and climate change”.

They back calls  to “support clean technology environmentally friendly production”.

A PES dominated EP would back measures that bring about changes to “production, consumption and mobility paterns”and back calls to improve “the use of recycling”.  They see this is one way to “reduce pressure on scarce natural resources and help citizens to reduce their energy bills ad their ecological footprint”

 

Europe’s Christian Democrats

 Their manifesto is unashamedly pro-European where they state the “European Union is the solution to the crisis, not the cause.”

They have 12 specific proposals, and the environment is dealt with in section 3, ”Building a Social Market Economy to Combine Freedom and Solidarity”.

Here the EPP state that they will “strive for sustainable growth based on a competitive and innovative economy, while respecting the environment. We are determined to Combat climate change are more efficient use of energy and investment in renewable energy while preserving Europe’s industrial base for affordable energy prices. It is our responsibility to leave our world safer and cleaner future generations, and it stimulates innovation and a need for skills in these sectors.”

 ECR

The ECR in their March 2014 Communique are silent on the environmental agenda.

 European Greens

There manifesto is the most detailed and extensive on the environmental agenda. I have highlighted some of the main issues.

They call for “a green renaissance of our industry”.

They back calls to ban “fracking” and “food for fuel” and tougher “air pollution” measures “ which is a major cause of premature death”.

They are only Party to specifically back  for better controls on: electronic and hazardous waste, drug and pesticide residues, the use of nanotechnology in cosmetics, medicines, food and biocides.

And, they are the only Party who mention endocrine disruptors.