ANPWopke Hoekstra
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 19:03
The nomination of Wopke Hoekstra as successor to Frans Timmermans as European Commissioner raises eyebrows among environmental organizations.
Because Timmermans had the climate portfolio, it is almost certain that this will also be Hoekstra’s portfolio if his nomination is approved in Europe. Environmental organizations mainly fear that he has too little knowledge about this portfolio.
Director of Greenpeace Netherlands Andy Palmen says he is “hot” about the nomination. “Hoekstra is a former Shell employee and, as a minister, has given billions of euros in support to KLM during the corona crisis,” he says. “And as CDA leader he has exploded the nitrogen crisis.”
With the latter accusation, Palmen refers to the turn that the CDA made last summer. Although the government’s goal was to reduce nitrogen emissions by 50 percent by 2030, Hoekstra particularly surprised coalition party D66 when he said last August that that goal is not sacred.
Doubt about knowledge
Other climate organizations mainly doubt Hoekstra’s knowledge of the environment. Chairman Dion Huidekooper of the Young Climate Movement wants to give Hoekstra a chance, but also says that there are more logical candidates “who demonstrably have more experience”. Urgenda director Marjan Minnesma says that Hoekstra misses “the heart and soul for the climate”.
Hoekstra himself said in a short response today that he has been concerned with climate as Minister of both Finance and Foreign Affairs. “It’s one of the great themes of our time.”
You need someone who is good at the subject. Hoekstra’s nomination shows that we in the Netherlands don’t really think it’s important.
Urgenda director Marjan Minnesma
If his nomination is accepted, Hoekstra will become European Commissioner for one year, the remaining time his predecessor Timmermans still had. Environmental groups fear that this is not enough time for him to read up. Greenpeace director Palmen: “Every year that we wait longer to combat the climate crisis has major consequences.”
Urgenda director Minnesma also thinks that Hoekstra needs much more time to read up. “You need someone who is well versed in the subject. This shows that we in the Netherlands do not really think it is important.”
EU-correspondent Kysia Hekster:
“There is also doubt in Brussels whether Hoekstra is the right man for this job. On Tuesday he will have a job interview with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. If she takes over Hoekstra’s candidacy, he will also have to attend a hearing before a committee of the European Parliament explain why he would be the suitable European Commissioner for Climate Change.”
Timmermans was also called “climate pope” in the European corridors. He was jointly responsible for the Green Deal, the ambitious plan of the European Union to be climate neutral by 2050. He would also represent Europe at the important climate conference COP28 in Dubai at the end of this year. That role may now be filled by Hoekstra.
The director of Nature & Environment, Marjolein Demmers, fears that Hoekstra’s knowledge is not sufficient for such a top. Among other things, the so-called loss and damage where poorer countries often bear the consequences of climate change, while the rich countries are largely responsible for this.
Timmermans said this is an important topic and it is important “that vulnerable countries are helped to respond to the damage the climate crisis has already caused”. Demmers: “That subject is very sensitive. Timmermans has done some good preliminary work for this, but that has yet to be completed.”
Hekster Correspondent:
“The criticism in Brussels focuses on two things: Hoekstra is accused of a lack of affinity with the climate dossier and a lack of negotiating skills that are necessary. The latter is mainly about statements Hoekstra made at the beginning of the corona crisis, when he southern countries that asked for European aid that they first had to get their finances in order before they came knocking in Brussels, but he himself later said that he should have shown more empathy.
Hoekstra’s appointment is urgent. The major climate conference in Dubai will start at the end of November and preparations will of course be made much earlier. If Hoekstra becomes the climate negotiator on behalf of the EU, he will have little time to familiarize himself with it.”
2023-08-25 17:03:20
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