Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy to steer EU climate law through the European Parliament - Main contents

Member of the European Parliament Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (ALDE/D66) will lead the European Parliament's negotiations on an EU climate law covering 60 per cent of EU carbon emissions. The law regulates carbon emissions in the field of transport, waste, buildings, agriculture and forests (emissions that fall outside the scope of the EU carbon market) and aims to accelerate the EU's emissions cuts after the Paris climate agreement.

His appointment as "Rapporteur" comes in addition to his work as Shadow Rapporteur for the Parliament's group of liberals and democrats on the reform of the EU carbon market.

Gerbrandy will be responsible for writing the Parliament's draft report on the law, chairing the negotiations between representatives of the political groups, and representing the Parliament in negotiations with EU governments and the European Commission.

Gerbrandy: "Signing and ratifying the Paris climate agreement is step one. This law will start concrete action on the ground, enabling investments in better, more efficient buildings, cleaner cars and smart waste solutions. This law is necessary to translate the Paris agreement in specific climate actions for national governments.

My goal is to steer the report swiftly and with a balanced outcome through the Parliament, taking into account the ambitions, concerns and wishes from all parts of Europe. Investors, governments and citizens need to know timely what the Paris climate agreement will mean concretely. Importantly, we owe it to our children and grandchildren to speed up climate action."