Cañete cannot be trusted with the climate
02 October 2014by foeeurope -- last modified 02 October 2014
Miguel Arias Cañete, the Spanish politician nominated as the new EU Commissioner for Climate and Energy, faced tough questioning from MEPs in his parliamentary hearing this evening.
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Ahead of his hearing Friends of the Earth Europe revealed fresh
evidence about his links to the oil industry and his long history of
conflicts of interest, and there was growing public opposition to his
appointment.
Shortly before his confirmation hearing Mr Arias
Cañete's declaration of financial interests to the European Parliament
was updated to include an additional job as president of Partido
Popular's election committee – a position that earned him between €1000
and €5000 per month.
Commenting on Mr Arias Cañete's hearing, Magda Stoczkiewicz said:
"The
European Parliament rightly questioned Mr Arias Cañete on his climate
credentials as well as his long history of alleged conflict of interest
and the involvement of him and his family in oil companies. By updating
his declaration of interests just hours before the hearing he brought
even more attention to his controversial business dealings. We are of
the opinion that his brother-in-law falls within the scope of the code
of conduct and continues to create a conflict of interest.
"Mr
Arias Cañete has clearly been well briefed to answer climate questions,
but he was less able to give straightforward answers on his conflicts of
interest.
"In his closing speech Mr Cañete mentioned his 15
years of experience in the European Parliament – this should not detract
from concerns about his integrity and suitability to fulfil the role of
Climate and Energy Commissioner.
"Given Mr Cañete's track
record, his trustworthiness to handle controversial issues like
fracking, tar sands and nuclear, is seriously in doubt. He described the
current EU plans for tackling climate change by 2030 as ambitious when
in fact they are far short of the action science tells us is needed.
"The
resistance we've seen this week to Mr Cañete being given the climate
position is part of a bigger picture of serious citizen concern about
the whole direction of the new Commission which is towards prioritising
business interests at the price of citizen safeguards and wellbeing. The
parliament now needs to show it puts the long-term interests of
citizens first, by rejecting Mr Cañete and demanding a rethink of the
Commission structure."
Friends of the Earth Europe is the largest grassroots environmental network in Europe, uniting more than 30 national organisations with thousands of local groups.
Friends of the Earth