The Consequences of the Green Transition
Session: 15th Riigikogu, 3rd sitting, information briefing
Date: 2024-02-07 15:40
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 7
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 9m
AI Summaries: 7/7 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The eighth question during the Riigikogu information session addressed the consequences of the Green Transition and its impact on European and Estonian agriculture. The question was posed by Riigikogu member Arvo Aller (EKRE), who addressed Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, citing widespread farmer protests across Europe (in France, Belgium, Latvia, and elsewhere). Aller stressed that the demands of the Green Transition, such as restrictions on fertilizers and plant protection products, along with increasing bureaucracy, are making rural life and food production unsustainable. He asked when Estonia plans to take a leading role at the European level to put an end to this "green madness" and ensure the livelihood of rural areas in the current economic situation. Prime Minister Kaja Kallas responded that Estonia cannot be in a leadership position on every issue, especially given the relatively small weight of agriculture compared to larger nations. Kallas noted that, according to the assessment of Estonian farmers' representatives, the situation is stable and there is no perceived need for protest. She emphasized that an economy that accounts for climate and environment is an inevitable megatrend, as both investors and consumers prefer environmentally conscious products. Kallas highlighted that green reforms are not contradictory to economic growth, referring to the preliminary results of the climate law model, which indicate that sectors with a lower carbon footprint (such as IT and electronics) create many times more added value and jobs per kiloton of emitted CO2 than branches with a larger footprint (such as energy and petroleum products).
Decisions Made 1
No official decisions were made during the information hour.
Most Active Speaker
Riigikogu member Arvo Aller was the most active in posing questions and seeking clarification. He represents the Estonian Conservative People's Party (EKRE), a right-wing opposition party critical of the government's green policy. Aller sharply criticized the government's participation in Europe's "green frenzy" policies.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Riigikogu member Arvo Aller is submitting a question to Prime Minister Kaja Kallas regarding the consequences of the green transition.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller noted that the increasing requirements of the green transition and growing bureaucracy have caused difficulties for businesses, and farmers are organizing protests across Europe. He then asked when Estonia would take the lead at the European level to halt the green transition and focus on developing rural life and agriculture.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kallas said that Estonian agriculture cannot and should not necessarily be the largest economic sector, but we must take into account climate and environmental requirements and investments, and utilize the opportunity to become CO2-neutral and develop ecological production, because the world demands environmentally friendly products.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker/action] and requests Arvo Aller's clarifying question.
Arvo Aller
Profiling Fraktsiooni mittekuuluvad Riigikogu liikmedAI Summary
Arvo Aller claims that the restrictions imposed on fertilizers and plant protection products as part of the green transition threaten the livelihood of rural areas. He argues that although Estonia is attempting to reduce carbon emissions and is considering, for instance, shutting down production in Narva, this won't save the world. He then asks what measures need to be implemented in the current economic climate to ensure a decent standard of living for people in rural regions.
Peaminister Kaja Kallas
AI Summary
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stated that reforms for green and economic growth are not necessarily contradictory, and the climate law model demonstrates that sectors with a higher carbon footprint generate less added value and fewer jobs than electronics and IT; meanwhile, agriculture remains stable, and although the growth of Ukrainian imports affects border countries, there is currently no reason for protests.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar expresses his thanks and announces that he is concluding the consideration of today's eighth question.