Mr. Mauro Petriccione:

Only in the winter. Again, we do not suggest everybody must convert every metre of available land not used for something better to be used for biomass. All member states will not be able to use biomass as a significant source of power. When we speak about biomass, we do not speak exclusively about what grows in the land. We must move away from crop-based biofuels. The Commission has proposed the phasing out of the eligibility of the fuel quality directive and, fortunately, the Council and the Parliament have agreed with us. The situation is confused, but, ultimately, we must move towards second and third generation biofuels. We do not suggest a mechanical transfer of land from one use to another, but it is clear that if we want to achieve climate neutrality, we need to use more biomass that must be sustainable and not wreak havoc on the environment.

Deputy Eamon Ryan asked about the links between biodiversity and climate action. They are very close. One can, if one so wishes, create a climate policy at the expense of environmental conservation, in the same way there can be an energy security policy at the expense of the climate, but that is not the point. We are trying to maintain a coherent consistency. I do not claim that we have achieved it or that we are infallible, but I am sure that whenever we fail to ensure coherence, it will be pointed out to us in no uncertain terms. Frankly, that does not worry us in the slightest; on the contrary, we consider it crucial.

I spend a fair amount of my time co-operating with my colleagues in charge of the environment and trying to ensure coherency. Sooner rather than later, we will see the draft environmental action plan which will include a concrete example of an attempt to make explicit the coherence between climate policy and our other environmental policies, including that on air quality. Thus far, the largest contributor to reducing emissions from transport in urban areas has been air quality legislation, but, unfortunately, it does not automatically translate. From an emissions point of view, as we saw following the diesel scandal, while petrol cars respect air quality standards more easily than diesel cars, they also increase emissions. As a result of the diesel scandal in 2017, road transport emissions reached a peak. Fortunately, it was a transitory phenomenon and emissions are reducing again, but it made us worried. Policy coherence is essential, but we should not be paralysed and do nothing while we continuously seek coherence. It is a continuous process.

I will try to group my answers to the questions asked about the planning process.