Timmermans rejects any “regulatory pause” on the path to decarbonisation

Frans Timmermans, Vice-President of the European Commission, said he opposed any “regulatory pause” in the EU. The French president called for such a “regulatory pause” in May. A few weeks later, Belgium’s prime minister made a similar point, stressing the threat posed by too many rules and regulations. The news was reported by Euractiv.

French President Emmanuel Macron said in May, during an address to representatives of French industry, that the EU should declare a so-called regulatory pause on new environmental proposals. This would mean that no new legislation would be proposed or adopted for an unspecified period, and that the EU should focus on implementing legislation already in force and proposals currently under discussion. He said this would help achieve the targets set and accelerate the decarbonisation of industry.

A few weeks later, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo expressed a similar view. According to him, too many rules and regulations risk undermining public support for the energy transition.

Timmermans says a pause is a luxury we cannot afford

In the days following statements by the two leaders of EU member states, the European Commission made no comment on the subject of a “regulatory pause”. However, European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans said at a conference in early June that there was no time to lose. In his words, “we cannot afford the luxury of a pause, … we do not have time to be paralysed…” in the fight against climate change.

Timmermans said that any attempt to manipulate the debate on climate change would only fuel divisions within the EU. In his view, turning a blind eye to scientific reality is dangerous.

“Even if I had to make an effort [to limit global warming] that would be very costly for me, I know my children and grandchildren will consider me a good ancestor,” Timmermans said.