Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone Establishment Act
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Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone Establishment Act
Proposed by Premier Commissioner Akem Linek
PREAMBLE
An act to establish a special zone of countries committed to a global reduction in carbon emissions.
SECTION I - ZONE
I. A Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone shall be established.
II. The Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone shall be composed of all those member-states of the European Union that both communicate to the European Commission their intention to enter the zone and meet the requirements for entry and membership set out in Section II as determined by a majority vote of the Commission.
III. At least half a percent for each member-state composing the Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone, up to a maximum of seven percent of all future budgets of the European Union, will be set aside to be redistributed to each of the member-states that compose the Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone in proportion to their population.
IV. The Commission may, by majority vote, determine that a member-state within the Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone is no longer meeting the requirements set out by Section II. If such a determination is made, the Internal Affairs Commissioner, or in their absence, the Premier Commissioner, must propose a motion to the Council to expel the member-state from the Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone. Approval of said motion is by simple majority of those present in the Council, and results in the expulsion of the member-state from the Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone.
SECTION II - REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTRY AND MEMBERSHIP
I. To enter and remain a member of the Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone, a member-state must have:
a) adopted a tax, to be paid either by consumers or producers, levied on the final consumption of goods according to the estimated amount of carbon dioxide released by the production of said goods, with the tax increasing the price of the emission of one ton of carbon dioxide by the equivalent of at least 40 euros
b) established a national plan, or equivalent, to eliminate positive net emissions from domestic electricity production by 2040 at the latest.
c) established a national plan, or equivalent, to eliminate positive net emissions from domestic manufacturing by 2055 at the latest.
As I promised, I am introducing an act to help stop climate change. The warming of the Earth is a key contributor to people's unhappiness, and, as Commissioner, I want to do as much as I can to slow it.
As per my original proposal made during my campaign, I am not imposing anything on the member-states. This act would merely reward those who decide to act - in the ways best supported by economics and modern science in general.
I am completely open to amendments, as I cannot understand what makes the people of the Union happy more than you - the representatives of their nations - can.
Akem Linek
Premier Commissioner -
Debate begins NOW and will continue until 16:26 GMT on October 26th, 2023.
Donald Tusk
Council Speaker and Councillor for Spain
The Kingdom of Spain
His Majesty the King, Felipe VI
President Alberto Núñez-Feijóo
Councillor and Council Speaker Donald Tusk -
I can only say really I support this act. This act has the potential to revolutionise the EU and actually reward good stewardship of resources and the Earth and make the EU do something for the climate crisis. I am assured by the Duchies government shall this act pass we will sign up for memmbership immediately as we believe we meet the requirements and this could turbocharge our carbon saving innitiatives.My only reccomendation and proposed amendments are as follows:
Ammendment I:
III. At leastseventen percent of all future budgets of the European Union will be set aside to be redistributed to each of the member-states that compose the Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone in proportion to their population.
Ammendment II
III. At least seven percent of all futurebudgetsmembership fees of the European Union will be set aside to be redistributed to each of the member-states that compose the Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone in proportion to their population.The reason I'm suggesting these changes is it there is room for plenty of money to go into the scheme and its a nice round easy to calculate number at 10% thats easy to understand by the public and that as worded the ammendment II could easily be abused by simply lowering the budget to stall the amount of money going into this programme by those with ill intention. If it was mandated as a % of revenue instead this would not be possible so it adds a safeguard to stop the corporatist lobbyists and politicians who defend those who pollute diluting the acts effect through loopholes left open.
James Mizrachi-Roscoe, Councillour for United Duchies
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The Republic of Istkalen is and will always be supportive of a European approach to the pressing and existential issue of climate change - and, broadly, is in favor of an act on these lines.
Nevertheless, we fear that some of its provisions could unfairly funnel money to but a few member-states, at the expense of the whole. This, to us, is absolutely unacceptable.
In light of these concerns, I propose the following amendment:
AMENDMENT III
III. At least
seven percenthalf a percent for each member-state composing the Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone, up to a maximum of seven percent of all future budgets of the European Union will be set aside to be redistributed to each of the member-states that compose the Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone in proportion to their population.Iras Tilkanas
Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen
Let me explain my reasons for this construction. This funneling of money is meant to encourage membership in the CERZ - a member-state dissatisfied with the movement of its money to another will be incentivized to join the CERZ and therefore reduce that flow, and redirect some of it towards itself. Nevertheless, I understand the concerns voiced by Cllr. Tilkanas.
On an unrelated note, I would like to say that I am opposed to Councillor Mizrachi-Roscoe's second amendment; it would effectively establish a minimum budget, something that I do not think is wise.
Akem Linek
Premier Commissioner -
I do not see the point the right honourable Linek is trying to make. His proposal effectively establishes a minimum budget also just as a percent of the budget rather than contributions. However as written its easy to just reduce the amount going to the CERZ by reducing the amount spent in the budget something an ideologically opposed premier commissioner could attempt just to reduce the amount going to the scheme in the process hurting ordinary Europeans quality of life and services from the EU in the process. All my ammendment does is remove that loophole by stopping those shenanigans before they are even attempted by making it based on contributions to the EU and not how much of the contributions are spent.
James Mizrachi-Roscoe , Councillour for United Duchies
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In my opinion, pardon my French and to quote Lizzo...it's about damn time.
Snoop Dogg
Councilor for the Commonwealth of California -
Cllr. Mizrachi-Roscoe, my proposal would allow the budget to be set even to zero, if a Commissioner so desired, maximizing flexibility. Yours, however, ensures that, no matter what future administrations want, the Union will have to spend money on at least one purpose - something I think, again, is unwise.
Akem Linek
Premier Commissioner -
I think you have got exactly the point of my amendment. You may be a good comissioner with a pure heart and you have shown yourself to be an exceptional commissioner , however we cannot guarantee all will be so good on spending and issues. The amendment I proposed would ensure stable funding growth for the CERZ projects and amplify the effect of the bill long term by ensuring the percentage is based on the higher figure automatically by having the minimum as a percent of contributions and also ensuring comissioners paid off by big oil and gas cannot just post a lower budget to undermine the CERZ and frustrate efforts to move to a more sustainable economic model.
James Mizrachi-Roscoe , Councillour for United Duchies
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The people have the right to elect such Commissioners, and to expect them to do what they elected them for.
Akem Linek
Premier Commissioner -
You have faith it will be the peoples choice but there are nations in this union that are corrupted by billionaires and millionaires being able to donate massively into politics and fund campaigns. We must protect against the ability of people owned by the corporate elite classes from destroying our climate and undermining this great act of yours to benefit some oil company, mining company and the polluters of this earth of ours. This is about survival and making sure millions or 10's of millions do not die from corporate greed , this is about protecting the weakest in power and poorest materially from abusing power structures for their own end.We cannot let this loophole to undermine the people of Europe and your great act proceed forward or future generations might ask those who vote against my amendment where were you when the ability of the corporatist elite to kill millions for a quick buck was set into law.
James Mizrachi-Roscoe, Councillour for United Duchies
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May we begin voting?
Akem Linek
Premier Commissioner -
Debate is now over. My apologies for the severe delay. It is time to vote on the proposed amendments. There are THREE amendments up to vote:
Amendment I - Proposed by Cllr. James Mizrachi-Roscoe
Section I - Zone
III. At least
seventen percent of all future budgets of the European Union will be set aside to be redistributed to each of the member-states that compose the Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone in proportion to their population.
Amendment II - Proposed by Cllr. James Mizrachi-Roscoe
Section I - Zone
III. At least seven percent of all future
budgetsmembership fees of the European Union will be set aside to be redistributed to each of the member-states that compose the Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone in proportion to their population.
Amendment III - Proposed by Cllr. Iras Tilkannas
Section I - Zone
III. At least
seven percenthalf a percent for each member-state composing the Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone, up to a maximum of seven percent of all future budgets of the European Union will be set aside to be redistributed to each of the member-states that compose the Carbon Emissions Reduction Zone in proportion to their population.
Voting on amendments will commence NOW and will last until 17:17 GMT on December 12th, 2023.
I vote FOR Amendment III and AGAINST Amendments I and II.
Donald Tusk
Council Speaker and Councillor for Spain -
On behalf of the Republic of Istkalen, I vote FOR Amendment III and AGAINST all others.
Iras Tilkanas
Councillor for the Republic of Istkalen -
On behalf of United Duchies I vote for amendments I , II and against amendment III
James Mizrachi-Roscoe , Councillour for United Duchies -
On behalf of the Commonwealth of California, I vote FOR this act
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Voting on the amendments has concluded. With 1 vote FOR and 2 votes AGAINST, Amendment I has FAILED. With 1 vote FOR and 2 votes AGAINST, Amendment II has FAILED. With 2 votes FOR and 1 vote AGAINST, Amendment III has PASSED. The proposal has been updated accordingly.
Before the start of the final vote, I must clarify that the vote from the Councillor for California has not been counted, as we were voting on the amendments rather than on the act itself.
Final voting begins NOW and will last until 17:25 GMT on January 1st, 2024.
On behalf of the Kingdom of Spain, I vote FOR this act.
Donald Tusk
Council Speaker and Councillor for Spain -
On behalf of the Commonwealth of California, I vote for the act.
Snoop Dogg
Councilor for the Commonwealth of California -
On behalf of the Mishar Republic, I vote FOR this act.
Mrs. Susie Dakota, Councillor for the Mishar Republic
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On behalf of United Duchies I vote FOR this act
James Mizrachi-Roscoe, Councillour for United Duchies -
Voting has now concluded. With 4 votes FOR and none AGAINST, this bill has PASSED.
Donald Tusk
Council Speaker and Councillor for Spain
