Interpellation concerning the impact of the Green Transition on the administrative area of the ministry under your leadership (No. 341)
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, plenary session.
Date: 2024-01-08 17:55
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 28
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 38m
AI Summaries: 28/28 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
Agenda item number seven concerned the interpellation (No. 341) submitted by Riigikogu members Rain Epler, Kert Kingo, and Kalle Grünthal regarding the impact of the green transition on the administrative area of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture. The submitter of the inquiry, Rain Epler, questioned the rapid and unconsidered implementation of the green transition, citing as an example Germany’s energy crisis, which exposed the green policy’s dependence on cheap Russian gas. Epler emphasized that the economic and social tensions resulting from the green transition have led to the radicalization of society in Germany, exemplified by the recent farmers' protests. The questioners wanted to know how the minister assesses the impact of the green transition on his sector and what measures are being implemented to minimize negative consequences.
Minister of Regional Affairs Madis Kallas replied that his ministry prefers to emphasize "sustainability" (the sustainable use of resources) instead of the term "green transition." The minister confirmed that agriculture, public transport, and the activities of local governments have been guided by a balanced approach that takes into account the economic, environmental, and social dimensions. Kallas conceded that climate change must be taken into account (referring to extreme weather conditions) and that Estonia has moved "slowly and wisely" along the path of the green transition. He pointed out that the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy subsidies (over 1.5 billion euros) are aimed at supporting sustainability. The minister also stressed the need to adapt green transition strategies in accordance with the new geopolitical situation that arose after the start of the war in Ukraine.
Decisions Made 1
No decisions were adopted during the proceedings; the session consisted solely of responding to the inquiry and the subsequent negotiations.
Most Active Speaker
The most active participant, Aivar Kokk, both posed a question and delivered the closing statement of the debate. He represented a strong opposition viewpoint, criticizing the government's energy policy and decisions related to the green transition. Kokk highlighted failed investments in biogas and stressed that maintaining oil shale electricity production is crucial for ensuring Estonia's energy security, especially given the power shortages and reliance on imports that occurred during the recent cold snap. He called for an end to speculation with CO2 quotas and urged that their price be kept at a reasonable level.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The sixth item on the agenda was omitted, and the next item, No. 7, is the interpellation submitted by Rain Epler, Kert Kingo, and Kalle Grünthal on May 13, 2023, concerning the impact of the green transition on the administrative area of the ministry led by the minister (Interpellation No. 341). Colleague Rain Epler is invited to the Riigikogu rostrum to present it as the rapporteur.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler emphasizes that the impact of the green transition must be analyzed within the minister's portfolio. He cites Germany as an example regarding the vulnerability of its gas supply and economy, and notes that the green transition, combined with ultra-liberal immigration policy, could radicalize society. He awaits the minister's response concerning further acceleration.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi praised today's discussion as balanced and substantive, recognizing the participants as exemplary, and giving Regional Minister Madis Kallas the opportunity to prove this by inviting the minister to the podium to answer the questions posed by the interpellators.
Regionaalminister Madis Kallas
AI Summary
Regional Minister Madis Kallas emphasized that the impact of the green transition must be assessed in a balanced way, considering the synergy of the economic, environmental, and social dimensions. He stressed the need to focus on sustainable resource use, continue a broad-based dialogue, avoid making hasty decisions, take into account European practices and the consequences of crises, and direct investments—such as in public transport and building renovation—so that they reduce the footprint and meet the needs of the Estonian economy and rural areas.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi thanks the honorable Minister, states that the Minister has questions, and asks Kalle Grünthal to present those questions.
Kalle Grünthal
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Kalle Grünthal describes the wave of protests taking place in Germany, where farmers have used their machinery to effectively occupy major cities, dumping cow dung onto the streets and slurry in front of buildings. Their vehicles are clogging the roads and yet the mainstream media is silent about it, and he asks why these farmers fail to understand the importance of the green transition and why they are behaving this way.
Regionaalminister Madis Kallas
AI Summary
Regional Minister Madis Kallas stated that previous agreements concerning German agriculture are outdated in the current situation and cannot be implemented in the short term. This has led to disagreements between the farmers and the German government, but solutions must be found through dialogue.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi invites Rene Kokk to speak.
AI Summary
Rene Kokk noted that the CO2 trading and quota system has driven the metal industry and many other industrial sectors away from Estonia and Europe, adding that the green transition frenzy appears to be failing. He called on the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture and the Ministry of Climate to continuously review these issues, recalling an earlier plan to tax CO2 emissions from wood-fired boiler houses, and questioning how Estonia has fallen behind compared to its neighbors.
Regionaalminister Madis Kallas
AI Summary
Regional Minister Madis Kallas stated that while it would have been prudent for some decisions to consider the long term and ensure balanced investments, the sustainable use of resources is the correct path forward. He emphasized the need to develop alternative solutions, such as onshore wind farms, but cautioned against placing turbines in every village across Estonia. Given that Ida-Virumaa has sacrificed its ecosystem, other regions should now make a small contribution to ensure the availability of electricity in the future.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is the invitation for Rain Epler to come up on stage.
Rain Epler
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Rain Epler expresses concern amidst Estonian winter cold, power outages, and rising energy prices, and questions whether the government's green transition focus on renewable energy aligns with the realities of the energy market and consumer needs.
Regionaalminister Madis Kallas
AI Summary
The energy system is complex, requiring the integration of various models in order to find the appropriate balance for air quality in both private homes in rural areas and in cities, while simultaneously preserving the traditional culture of using stoves and cookers.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Chairman Toomas Kivimägi calls on Aivar Kokk to speak.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk's speech criticizes the government's plan to ban biogas buses starting in 2030, arguing that millions have already been invested in biogas and biogas buses, and Estonia has the necessary capacity for this. This comes at a time when the focus is heavily on electric buses, and the government plans to shut down oil shale capacity by 2027, leaving the country dependent on electricity while simultaneously importing coal.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is just a brief greeting where the speaker addresses a colleague and mentions the time.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk said that in Estonia, the only dispatchable electricity is oil shale power, and there are no other controllable sources.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanks a good colleague.
Regionaalminister Madis Kallas
AI Summary
Regional Minister Madis Kallas emphasized that decisions regarding biogas and public transport must be thoroughly reviewed, and the energy portfolio needs to be broad-based to ensure a reliable electricity supply, irrespective of the weather, until better alternatives become available.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
The address begins with the invitation of Riina Solman.
Riina Solman
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Riina Solman is inquiring about the impact of the green transition and green labeling, as well as the resulting increase in bureaucratic burdens within the public sector. She cites as an example the Ministry of Climate's plan to create two new positions, which is projected to cost approximately half a million euros.
Regionaalminister Madis Kallas
AI Summary
Regional Minister Madis Kallas stated that finding the precise balance between the costs and benefits of green production is extremely complex, as it requires taking into account the preferences of both consumers and retail chains, as well as the impact of economic and social aspects, and there is no specific answer.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
This is a procedural request to invite Helle-Moonika Helme to speak.
Helle-Moonika Helme
Profiling Eesti Konservatiivse Rahvaerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
The text highlights Ida-Virumaa's crucial contribution to powering Estonia and criticizes the expansion of ecological pressure across the entire country, including Saaremaa, along with the disregard for local opinions during national special planning processes.
Regionaalminister Madis Kallas
AI Summary
Regional Minister Madis Kallas stated that energy production in Estonia must be balanced by reducing the ecological impact of Ida-Viru County, distributing production across different counties, and limiting the number of wind turbines in the Baltic Sea. He added that he is prepared to make some sacrifices in his own home region so that other areas do not have to bear such a heavy burden.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Toomas Kivimägi thanked the minister, confirmed that the level had not dropped, and the bow to the oven was warm and heartfelt, and he opened negotiations, starting with Aivar Koki.
Aivar Kokk
Profiling Isamaa fraktsioonAI Summary
Aivar Kokk emphasizes that Estonia must not shut down shale oil electricity production until a reliable and affordable alternative is available. He states that investments must be directed toward ensuring controllable electricity through biogas, hydrogen, and supplementary solutions (e.g., gas or hydrogen turbines in Ida-Viru County), thereby protecting consumers and businesses, and ending CO2 trading on the stock exchange by setting a price limit of 30 euros per megawatt-hour.
Aseesimees Toomas Kivimägi
AI Summary
Deputy Speaker Toomas Kivimägi concluded the proceedings on today's agenda item and announced that the interpellation concerning the comprehensive impacts of the tax package cannot be opened for debate and is therefore dropped from today's agenda because Evelin Poolamets is absent.