Considering the overall amount of subsidies to the fishery sector and the interaction with the state aid control mechanism, we urge EU member states to work towards a consensus, under the Hungarian presidency, that abolishes tax exemptions for fossil fuels destined for fisheries use.
Without the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies from our economies, we will not be able to reach climate objectives under EU law or broader climate objectives under the Paris agreement, in order to ensure a decent future for the planet and humankind in the coming decades. Last December’s COP28 climate summit underlined the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels and the phasing out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that do not address energy poverty or just transitions.
Shifting from fossil fuel dependency to a zero carbon economy is as imperative for fisheries as it is for other production sectors. Decarbonisation must also be coherent with the other processes affecting the fisheries sector, and in line with fishery management objectives. Decarbonisation must not be pursued at the expense of biodiversity conservation, nature restoration, and the transition towards a fair and sustainable food system. On the other hand, if the vision of the fisheries of the future is well framed and the energy transition is well aligned with the CFP objectives to end overfishing, conserve and restore the marine environment, and is consistent with the objectives of achieving economic, social and employment benefits, it could provide a great opportunity to revitalise the small-scale low impact fishing sector, and give them prospects of future.
A truly ambitious revised ETD should have taxed the greener energies at a lower or at zero level, while taxing carbon rich energies at a higher rate.
Join us on April 16th for a short-sharp briefing ahead of the upcoming EU Energy Transition in Fisheries (April 19th). The briefing will explore challenges and opportunities that decarbonisation presents to the EU fishing sector, the process of stakeholder consultation in the framework of the energy transition and provide an overview of the diverse types of fisheries and their social, economic, environmental impacts, along with insights from the fishing sector itself on the skills needed to face decarbonisation.
“The question is, why do EU finance ministers under the lead of the Belgian Presidency seem unable to make the decision to move away from fossil fuel subsidies towards other types of tax benefits, or other subsidies that would incentivise the decarbonization process of the fisheries or maritime transport sectors, and would lead to a much-needed carbon-free EU economy?”
Without the elimination of fossil fuel subsidies from our economies, it will be impossible to reach the agreed climate targets at global level and ensure a decent future for the planet and humankind in the next decades. The recent COP28 climate summit recognised the need to transition away from fossil fuels, and the phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies that do not address energy poverty or just transitions, as soon as possible.
We are in the midst of a climate crisis, with the effects of rising temperatures – due to climate change – now making themselves known everywhere. At the same time, we are facing a major biodiversity crisis, which hugely impacts the marine environment and the functioning of the ocean as a climate regulator. On top of these major crises, with the ongoing war in Ukraine, we also face an unprecedented energy challenge.
ClientEarth and Oceana, along with the Low Impact Fishers of Europe, and economist Charles Berkow held a discussion on the challenges and opportunities of the EU’s decarbonisation process for fisheries.
We are in the midst of the climate crisis, feeling the effects of climate change almost on a daily basis. At a political level, with the signature of the Paris Agreement and the adoption of the European Green Deal, the EU agreed to transition to a sustainable Europe that will achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. In order to reach these objectives, human societies need to start or accelerate the decarbonisation of all sectors of the economy.
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