Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 July 2016
62. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her concerns about the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership undermining the European Union's climate change policy in view of most recent leaks reported in the media (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22781/16]
View answerOn 14 July 2016, the EU Commission published its textual proposal on provisions for the climate change aspects of the TTIP trade and sustainable development chapter. The proposal is available on the EU Commissions website (www.trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2016/july/tradoc_154800.pdf).
Encouraging green innovation & trade in green technologies are two key areas of the chapter. The proposal emphasises the end goal of progressively phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption. It also promotes the development of cost-effective, clean, safe, secure and sustainable low-emission technologies, energy-efficient solutions, and renewable energy sources; sustainable transport and sustainable urban infrastructure development; addressing deforestation and forest degradation; emissions monitoring; and market and non-market mechanisms.
The EU Commission tabled the proposal for discussion with the US during last week’s negotiating round in Brussels. I welcome any detailed views and analysis the Deputy may have in relation to this proposal, in due course.
