The Week ahead

The EPP Group fully backs the so-called 'Taxonomy Regulation' which provides for the first time in history rules which define green investments. On Monday, the EPP Group in the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee as well as in the Environment Committee will vote against three objections that could endanger this new law. If there is no agreement on what is green, it is hard for investors to know whether they are getting what they want when they look for an environmentally-sustainable investment. With the new rules, we are making it easier for companies and individuals to invest in the European Green Deal.

On Monday, the Committees on Foreign Affairs, Development and Human Rights will debate on the candidates presented for the 2021 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is the EPP Group’s candidate for this year’s prize. “The Kremlin's attempts to eliminate Alexei Navalny show the real face of Mr Putin and the inner circle of his regime. They fear losing power and are waging a war against their own people. Alexei Navalny showed great courage in order to restore the freedom of choice back to the Russian people. He fought for many years for human rights, freedom of speech and thought, civic freedoms and against corruption. His deeds and determination fully deserve to be awarded with the Sakharov Prize”, said Sandra Kalniete MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP Group in charge of foreign affairs.

Methane, a greenhouse gas over 80 times more potent than CO2 over a 20-year period, is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Agriculture, largely from the burps of cows and other animals, is the largest source of industrial methane emissions in the world. On Tuesday, the European Parliament's Environment Committee will decide on its position on how to tackle methane emissions. "Cutting methane emissions is crucial in the fight against climate change. We must continue to encourage innovation, and incentivise our industries to adopt the best practices and cost-efficient technologies in order to achieve goals we committed to in the Paris Agreement. The time to act is now", said the EPP Group's Maria Spyraki MEP, the European Parliament's lead negotiator on the file.

Artists and workers in the cultural and creative sectors were among the first and most severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the slowest ones to recover. In a dedicated Report to be voted on in the European Parliament's Culture and Education Committee on Monday, as well as in a Position Paper on culture, the EPP Group requests more public and private investment for the cultural recovery as well as a fair share for artists from digital platforms revenues. We cannot leave almost 8 million Europeans employed in culture behind.

The transition towards a digital, energy-efficient and climate-neutral economy will lead to a significantly higher demand for critical raw materials. EU countries currently supply only small amounts of key critical raw materials needed in key sectors like wind power, batteries, robotics and photovoltaic. Although efforts towards a circular economy (recycling waste management, product design and substitution) are essential, they will not be enough to meet the higher demand. Therefore new sourcing is required and the potential of high sustainable mining for critical raw materials should be fully and quickly exploited. The European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy will vote on Monday on a European strategy for critical raw materials.

On Monday, in Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel will present her approach to research and innovation. Also on Monday, the European Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean, will discuss the 'Fit for 55' package with Transport Committee Members and how it will affect the transport sector. On the same day, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs will debate with the European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde on the rise in inflation, the current risks in the financial markets and the ECB's monetary policy.