Timmermans (EC): “The EU must reduce road transport in favor of railways”

It is the green giant of Brussels. The Dutch Frans Timmermans, first vice president of the European Commission, is in charge of the Green Agreement launched by the president, Ursula Von der Leyen. In an interview with a group of European newspapers, including the Frenchman Les Echos, offers his vision of today.

The debate divides the States: What role can nuclear energy and gas play in achieving Europe's climate goals?

They are part of the energy mix and it is quite clear that some will need them during a transition phase. I have nothing against nuclear energy. I am skeptical of the solution as long as we meet our goals. But I note that the construction of nuclear power plants is extremely expensive and I say to the States: Do your calculations carefully before choosing! Other solutions, such as direct investment in sustainable energy, rather than a transition solution, could be more sensible. Let's not forget that nuclear energy is not sustainable, even if it has a positive effect on reducing carbon emissions.

The Commission will review the emission rights trading regime. Are you going to include construction and road transport in it?

We still have to conduct impact studies, but let me clarify: the Emission Trading System (ETS) will not be an alternative to emission reduction laws. The new limit of 95 grams that goes into effect in 2021 for cars will remain. Then it should be reduced to -37.5% in 2030. We will see next year, based on an impact assessment, if your objectives should be more stringent. Europe must also support innovation to reduce emissions. The cement industry is progressing. In the automotive industry, the electric battery alliance, with a first plant that has just been opened in France, is a very good project. Europe is giving itself the means to reach and then outperform its competitors. Based on the same model, we should also invest massively in hydrogen. It could also be a revolution, especially for heavy vehicles. Every year, 400,000 Europeans die prematurely as a result of air pollution.

“The idea of ​​the transformation is to put a tax on carbon; there is no reason not to put it in the vehicles that emit it”

But the States have not yet adopted the draft revision of the directive of the eurovignette, which aims for the most polluting vehicles to pay higher tolls …

We must reduce road transport in favor of rail and inland waterways, where we are lagging behind after years of insufficient investment. But times are changing: Germany has announced an important railway plan. These developments involve the introduction of the eurovignette. The idea of ​​the transformation is to put a tax on carbon; There is no reason not to put it in the vehicles that emit it.

Should there be a minimum price per ton of carbon?

There would be advantages and disadvantages, and the disadvantages win. We still think that the market works well.

How will the “border carbon mechanism” work for products entering the EU?

It has to comply with WTO rules. To do this, we must remind our partners that we agree on the climate objectives at COP 21 in Paris. If they comply well, we will not need a carbon tax. Otherwise, we will not have another option. We are beginning the industrial transformation. If the market does not offer fair competition, then we will have to restore it at the borders.

But the US is outside the Paris Agreement. How to act?

The American people are increasingly sensitive to ecological issues. Donald Trump can't ignore that.

“I want to create a group of European cities, including London and Oslo, to find and share common solutions”

That transformation will have a cost for employment, especially in the automotive industry …

Every industrial revolution implies sudden changes. But we are in a position where we have an advantage: because of our demographics, we will need everyone. The problem will not be if there will be enough jobs, but where they will be and how to train and recycle. It is an important training issue and the states will have to invest in it, the market will not do all the work for them. They will be helped by the fair transition fund we are creating for this purpose.

Cities will have a key role in the climate effort but few Green Agreement funds are allocated to them …

Cities are the key. The difficulties are concentrated there, in terms of pollution for example, but so do the resources. They can give important results quickly, through thermal insulation or green transport transformation. I want to create a group of European cities, and not only from the European Union, including London and Oslo, to find and share common solutions. Adopt the electric bus: all the capitals are thinking about it. Why not build common tenders?

The European Commission launches its one billion plan to finance the energy transition