By Jasir Safa
The harms of environmental degradation and climate change occur mostly in the long term, and if no action is taken, the negative consequences will increase even more. In this respect, the European Green Deal can be seen as an important step towards both preventing and raising awareness of climate change. Nonetheless, for the Green Deal to be implemented action must be taken without delay. While the overall aim of the Green Deal is to transform Europe into world's first climate-neutral continent by 2050, economic, political, and social factors come into play in the development of a coherent plan. It is important to take concrete steps early, as policies, methods and tools will take their ideal form throughout the process.
The damage caused by people to the environment has increased in direct proportion to globalization and technological developments. Climate change both damages the world's ability to be a livable planet and poses certain economic threats for countries. Thus, parties have often come together in the international arena and have agreed on common measures, such as the Paris Agreement, with targets that seek to tackle the challenges of climate change.
The EU, as a supranational organization that sets policies to consolidate its own legitimacy and to become a more respected actor in the international arena also published its own ‘way’ to tackle the current crisis: The European Green Deal published by Ursula von der Leyen and included in the 6 priorities for the EU, describes the path forward for the EU to become the world's first climate-neutral continent by 2050, and envisions an inclusive transformation in a whole variety of sectors, from construction to education, energy and agriculture.
Beyond the main goals, concrete mechanisms such as the Climate Pact, Sustainable European Investment Plan, and the Just Transition Mechanism have also been included in this document. Additionally, new mechanisms have been envisioned, making the European Green Deal similar to the growth strategy determined by the European Commission in 2010. But do goals alone lead to results?
In the EU there is a widespread support for actions to tackle climate change: While 93% of European citizens see climate change as an important problem, 79% think that taking action on this issue will open the door to innovations. The support of European citizens and the relatively positive history of the EU on tackling climate change raises the hopes that the EU can achieve its goals. Nonetheless, nearly two years have passed since the European Green Deal was announced and, while new tools and strategies are constantly introduced in the process and a map of the actions to be taken to achieve the goals is drawn day by day, there seems to be little progress towards concrete results. In order to realize the EU's European Green Deal goals, there is a need to work in harmony with the member states in many sectors and fields. Here we can identify three prerequisites: economic, political and social.
The support of European citizens and the relatively positive history of the EU on tackling climate change raises the hopes that the EU can achieve its goals. Nonetheless, nearly two Yeats have passed and…there seem to be little progress towards concrete results…
Economic prerequisites
The most important element for the green transformation to begin is the capital necessary to base economies on “green-friendly” resources instead of fossil fuels and carbon. While achieving this transformation, it will be necessary to make the European market more competitive compared to other markets to prevent the adverse effects of a move away from carbon-dependence. In short, various legal arrangements must be made in order to achieve a “green-friendly” transformation of the economy, while protecting the competitiveness and attraction power of the European market.
For instance, the “Sustainable Europe Investment Plan” has been prepared to create the necessary funds to ensure the transformation, envisaging that 100 billion euros per year are required to realize the transformation we mentioned above. However, a study indicates that this is simply not enough: At least 250-300 billion euros per year will be required. The introduction of regulations and the implementation of strict policies requires that large capital be mobilized to prevent companies from leaving the European market. Even further, green transformation requires action at EU level as it is planned to be carried out in the same way throughout the EU. But this raises a political question: Are member states ready to agree on such capitals?
Green transformation requires action at EU level as it is planned to be carried out in the same way throughout the EU.
Political prerequisites
Negotiations were held for the financing of the funds required for the European Green Deal at the budget meetings and are still being held. Political aspects are thus essential: For the economic preconditions to emerge and the EU to start taking the desired steps, the full consent of Member States in required. Moreover, maximum coordination at different levels of management is required to develop coherent policies in different areas. Convincing member states is of primary importance.
The Union, which does not have a homogenous structure, will have to take a homogenous decision and keep it up…But problems have already emerged.
The different carbon dependency between Eastern and Western European countries has led them to adopt different attitudes towards the Commissions’ targets. The Union, which does not have a homogeneous structure, will have to take a homogeneous decision and keep it up. Von der Leyen has to persuade the Ministers of Economy of the EU member states to change the regulations governing the functioning of the European Investment Bank and how it will assist which project. But problems have already emerged: Poland, which has a carbon-dependent economy, has openly opposed this transformation. It remains to be seen whether the states can act unitedly: Only after these political preconditions are met can the goals of the European Green Deal be achieved.
Social prerequisites
In addition to the economic and political requirements, there are also social prerequisites. These goals are unlikely to be achieved without the support of European citizens, at least by the majority. Although political structures and actors have a lot of work to do, European citizens also have a great responsibility. Getting the support of those who will complete the transformation has an important place in achieving the goals. The active and continuous participation of citizens as much as possible is important for the fulfillment of the social prerequisites.
Although political structures and actors have a lot of work to do, European citizens have a great responsibility.
Economic growth or climate change prevention?
“The EU Green Deal is our new growth strategy - for growth that gives more than it takes away”, as Ursula von der Leyen stated. The Green Deal is a growth strategy: Economic growth is thought to be compatible with preventing environmental degradation. This, of course, is not the only purpose of having a structure that does not harm the environment. Of course, an economic return can and will be expected here. However, the goal should not be to increase economic growth. It is highly likely that a reaction against the Deal will occur if the arrangements are made with the sole scope of achieving economic growth: The economic advantages to be obtained as a result of the realization of the green transformation are already capable of supporting growth. But the question goes deeper: Is it possible to protect the climate with the capitalist growth model?
Yasirsafa Yasirsafa has been a member of the BridgeEurope Online Chapter since September 2021. He has been involved in the organisation of several events, and is currently helping with out upcoming events too. He is an MA student at Europa-Universität Flensburg. Yasir is interested in European integration, historical sociology of IR, constructivism and Trotsky's uneven and combined development.
BridgeEurope Blog serves as a platform for reflection and discussion on current topics. The opinions expressed in the blog represent the view of the authors solely and not the view of BridgeEurope.