European Parliament Two Seat Operation.

The European Parliament has two seats and meets regularly in both Brussels and Strasbourg.  The duplication of facilities and the demands made on MEPs, staff, journalists and assistants imposes significant financial, environmental and organisation penalties on the European Parliament.

The study ‘European Parliament two seat operation: Environmental costs, transport and energy’, commissioned by Jean Lambert MEP and her Green colleague Caroline Lucas MEP and researched by Professor of Sustainable Transport John Whitelegg, reveals that the split site arrangement produces at least an extra 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year – more than some countries. 

The report is the first evidence-based and robust study of the climate change implications of having ‘two-seats’ and Jean has now called for an end to the European Parliament’s ‘traveling-circus’.

“The ecological absurdity of having two seats has been one which the Green’s have continued to campaign against. By operating in one place the Parliament would not only save money that could be invested to benefit the environment, but would dramatically reduce emissions as well – something all public institutions should be doing.

“The EU has made a commitment to reduce levels of emissions but climate change can not be addressed through words, money and promises.  It requires a change in behavior and an understanding of cause and effect.”

Jean Lambert MEP


Click here to download the report.