EU climate commissioner-designate Wopke Hoekstra is in favor of taxing kerosene as aircraft fuel. Furthermore, the EU should set a target of reducing emissions by at least 90 percent compared to 1990 levels by 2040, the former Dutch foreign minister said at his hearing before members of the EU Parliament on Monday night. Friday in Strasbourg.
The fact that kerosene, unlike diesel and gasoline, is not taxed is “absurd”. As climate commissioner, he also wants to work to end fossil fuel subsidies.
However, the transition to a climate-neutral economy can only be successful if the population is taken into account. Hoekstra mentioned, among other things, agriculture and countries in the global South for which compensatory measures are needed. Hoekstra cited the aforementioned taxes on kerosene as well as increased revenue from the issuance of emission certificates as possible sources of financing these compensation measures.
Hoekstra, who was a former Dutch finance minister, also struck a self-critical tone. The conservative politician felt his discontent during the Corona crisis because of the harsh words about the budgetary policies of the southern European member states. On Monday, he described his statements at the time as a mistake.
Hoekstra is also viewed critically because he previously worked for oil company Shell and management consultancy McKenzie. The climate commissioner-designate largely avoided questions on this subject and referred mainly to his more recent role as finance minister and later foreign affairs minister. During his time as a management consultant, however, he never worked for Shell or the European Commission, says Hoekstra.
On Tuesday morning, the current vice-president of the commission, Maros Sefcovic, will also have to answer questions from deputies. In the future, the Slovak will be responsible for interdepartmental coordination of the Green Deal. After the hearings in the Environment Committee, the two personal decisions will be voted on in the plenary session of the European Parliament on Thursday.