Activities of Manuela RIPA related to 2020/2043(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
A WTO-compatible EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (debate)
Amendments (7)
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. INotes that, while the Union had reduced its domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 23.2 % below 1990 levels in 2018, its GHG emissions embedded in international trade have been constantly rising; underlines that the net imports of goods and services in the EU represent more than 20% of the Union’s domestic CO2 emissions; is convinced that a purpose-built trade policy can be an important driver in steering economies towards decarbonisation in order to achieve the climate objectives set in the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Strongly supports, in the absence of a global carbon price and a multilateral solution, a market-based EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) on condition that it is compatible with EU free trade agreements (FTAs) and WTO rules (by being non- discriminatory and not constituting a disguised restriction on international trade), and that it is proportionate, based on the polluter pays principle and fit for purpose in delivering the climate objectives; notes that GATT rules date back to 1947 and is of the view that those need to be rethought in the present context of climate crisis and the overarching objective of climate neutrality, with a view to allowing the consideration of such features as the carbon foot-print of products for the determination of like-products; for that purpose, calls on the Commission to also propose a reform of trade rules in any climate initiative it will launch in the framework of the WTO;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Highlights that a technology on the tracing and tracking of the carbon content and performance of complex products could be helpful in the enforcement of a CBAM to those products; believes that the EU has an advantage in developing such a technology, which could then be used as a basis to set an international standard;
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the general exception clause of Article XX of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) should be the basis for any CBAM design and its only rationale should be an environmental one – reducing global CO2 emissions and preventing carbon leakagea CBAM is not per se WTO-incompatible, in particular with regard to the provisions of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT); underlines the principle of non- discrimination under GATT Article III and that, accordingly, existing measures on carbon leakage under Union law would cease to apply once the CBAM is in force, as this mechanism would apply carbon pricing to imports similar to what is applied to EU installations under the EU ETS; states unequivocally that this mechanism should serve the purpose of achieving the global common climate goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement by better addressing GHG emissions embedded in international trade, thereby incentivising climate action both within the Union and by our trading partners, through reducing global CO2 emissions and preventing carbon leakage; is therefore of the view that CBAM should be regarded as a means to help the acceleration of this process and not as a means for protectionism;
Amendment 73 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for thorough impact assessments and for the utmost transparency of the process leading to the CBAM, as well as engagement with the EU’s trading partners to build coaliincentivise cooperations and avoid any possible retaliations;
Amendment 81 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that manythe measure is part of the European Green Deal, the overarching strategy aiming at transforming the European Union into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050; notes that the most carbon- and trade- intensive industrial sectors cwould potentially be impactbe covered by the CBAM, either directly or indirectly, and that it could influence supply chainssupply chains need to internalise negative climate externalities as a necessary condition to achieve climate neutrality; stresses that any CBAM should be easy to administer and not place an undue burden on enterprises, especially small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs), by initially focusing on the most carbon-intensive industrial sectors.
Amendment 96 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses that the measure may have positive effects in terms of jobs by avoiding the substitution of EU production by production from third countries with lower climate ambition;