MEPs to vote on appointment of Wopke Hoekstra after his endorsement by environment committee
Wopke Hoekstra was questioned by MEPs on the European parliament’s environment committee about his employment history and commitment to climate action.Wopke Hoekstra was questioned by MEPs on the European parliament’s environment committee about his employment history and commitment to climate action.A Dutch politician who used to work for Shell and McKinsey has been given the green light for the job of EU’s climate chief.
The committees voted through both men on Wednesday after extra questions from lawmakers who had been unconvinced by their performance the first time around. At the hearing in Strasbourg, Bas Eickhout, a Green MEP from the Netherlands, asked Hoekstra how credible his proposals were in light of his past. ”Looking at your CV until now, you’ve not really been a climate champion – and that’s putting it mildly.”
Hoekstra told MEPs in the environment committee he would explore a global tax on kerosene, the polluting fuel that powers planes, and promised to phase out fossil fuel subsidies. “But we cannot separate his promises from his past actions,” he added. He said his party would vote against Hoekstra in the European parliament on Thursday.
Tiemo Wölken, a German MEP with the centre-left group, said the committee’s extra questions had resulted in stronger commitments from Hoekstra before the Cop28 climate summit. “Now, Mr. Hoekstra needs to translate his words into action, and we will make sure he lives up to his promises.”
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Saddle sore? Dutch cycling professor sees what’s wrong with Brisbane streetsAsking for safer streets shouldn’t be so radical, one global expert says, and Brisbane needs to have a different narrative about what its infrastructure can do.
Read more »
Why you should worry about new super tax – even with less than $3mThese two worked examples show how the taxing of unrealised capital gains can have unintended consequences.
Read more »
Banks’ new sneaky way to make more moneyThe new governor of Australia’s central bank is poised to make a decision on the nation’s interest rates just weeks into the new job.
Read more »
Coalition Senator’s bizarre police threat to Voice supporterA senior Liberal politician has threatened to report a Yes voter to police after an email exchange about the proposed Voice to Parliament.
Read more »