We have finally moved from words to deeds to turn Europe into a climate-neutral economy by 2050, with the Fit for 55 package*. The S&D Group has always been at the forefront on this decisive challenge. Hence, we salute the ambitious and bold commitment provided by the EU Commission and in particular by Vice-President Frans Timmermans, which has led to the adoption today of one of the most important legislative packages of this legislature.

We will work hard in the next months to improve the comprehensive set of proposals as we need to ensure that reducing emissions will go hand in hand with a socially just transition where the most vulnerable will be supported and assisted financially.

It is normal that such a big leap forward can create doubts and question on its feasibility, we share those concerns and as co-legislator we will make sure that it will be socially just and environmentally efficient.

The transition must be just or there will be no transition at all.

The president of the S&D Group, Iratxe García Peréz MEP, said:

“Reaching our climate objectives will be the most ambitious political project of our time. It is a project where everyone will have to contribute but we are convinced that unless what we ask from our citizens is socially just then we risk running into a disaster.

“We are convinced that the new Social Climate Fund is an important part of the response and we are committed to making sure that it will have real effects. This should also help the most vulnerable and be an effective tool against energy poverty.

“At the same time, we believe that, in parallel to the revised Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, it will be absolutely necessary to guarantee fair access to sustainable (public) transport.

“We also welcome the revision of the Energy Taxation Directive. This is another important proposal that aims at shifting taxes from labour to negative issues such as pollution.

“As of now, I can guarantee that my group will work constructively and analyse in depth all the proposals to make sure that the whole of this package will contribute to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and at the same time deliver real emissions reductions, leaving no one behind.”

* Today, the European Commission adopted a package of proposals to make the EU's climate, energy, land use, transport and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.