Commissioner hearings are coming. Here is what the climate & environmental NGOs want to hear from the candidates.

An EU commitment to rule of law and fundamental rights

Context:

The rule of law and protection of fundamental rights are core values of the European Union, ensuring all Member States uphold democratic principles, protect human rights, and combat discrimination. Recent years have seen challenges to these principles within the EU, with some Member States experiencing democratic backsliding and violations of fundamental rights. In more and more decision-making and governance processes, citizens, communities and civil society find their voices inadequately heard by national and EU decision makers. Upholding the rule of law is not only crucial for the integrity of the EU but also for the successful implementation of its policies, such as those on climate, nature and pollution. Citizens’ trust in EU institutions hinges on their commitment to these core values, which are essential for a fair and just society. It is time for the EU to reshape citizen participation and deliberation by introducing essential reforms.

Question we want to ask:

How will you ensure that all Member States uphold the rule of law and fundamental rights, in particular by strengthening and protecting the role of civil society? Furthermore, how will you address any violations effectively in order to maintain the integrity of the EU and the trust of its citizens?

Answer we want to hear:

Upholding the rule of law and fundamental rights is paramount for the European Union. I will work to strengthen the existing mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing compliance with these principles. This includes enhancing the Rule of Law Framework and the annual Rule of Law Report, ensuring they provide clear, actionable recommendations. I will support the use of conditionality for EU funding to ensure financial resources are only allocated to Member States that respect and uphold the rule of law, including for environmental funds. I will prioritise collaboration with civil society organisations and independent bodies to monitor and address violations swiftly. I recognise that engaging with civil society can help ensure that important perspectives are taken into account in decision making, helping to strengthen decisions and improve buy-in, support and legitimacy of the decisions taken. Maintaining these core values is essential, not just for the functioning of the EU, but also the effective implementation of key policies like the European Green Deal, which requires a stable, fair and democratic foundation.

Empowering and protecting civil society

Context:

The European Green Deal cannot succeed without the support, involvement, and input of citizens, communities and civil society. Yet, too often, such voices are not being heard by national and EU decision makers. At the same time, corporate lobbyists routinely gain privileged access to top decision makers. This results in low levels of trust in EU and national institutions, not to mention bad policy outcomes that exacerbate the crises we face. Civil society plays a key role in ensuring participatory democracy at the EU level. By protecting and strengthening civil society, including community groups, non-governmental organisations, labour unions, indigenous groups and faith-based organisations - policymakers can foster greater local, regional and national ownership over the European Green Deal.

Question we want to ask:

What will you and the Commission do to improve citizen participation in the European Green Deal and other policies? How will you ensure that decision making is protected from fossil fuel and other polluting industries’ interests at the local, regional and national level?

Answer we want to hear:

To improve citizen participation in the European Green Deal and other policies, the new Commission will lead the adoption of an overarching EU civil society strategy that empowers and protects civil society and promotes a thriving civic space at EU and national levels. Such a strategy will ensure meaningful participation for citizens and civil society in all stages of decision making , a safe environment, harmonised rules on civil dialogue across EU institutions and Member States, and appoint an EU Civic Space Coordinator to oversee the strategy and act as a first contact point for civil society. We will reshape citizens’ participation and deliberation, including through deliberative democracy approaches such as citizen assemblies at both the national and EU level, going beyond a tick box exercise of online consultations like those currently run by the European Commission. The Commission will put an end to private lobby meetings with the fossil fuel industry, excluding industry representatives from climate or trade delegations and refusing to participate in fossil fuel-sponsored events. There must also be a European ban on fossil fuel advertising and sponsorship. Such advertisements encourage the use of fossil-fuelled products by consumers and companies, such as transport that uses fossil fuels, thereby further increasing emissions and air pollution, and keeping Europe addicted to massive fossil fuel imports.

Safeguarding EU environmental progress

Context:

Recent months have seen threats have come to the fore of weakening existing and democratically-decided targets and laws (such as the CO2 standard for cars and the Deforestation Law, the Nitrates Directive and the Water Framework Directive) withdrawing anticipated policies (such as the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation), delaying (such as the Multimodal Digital Mobility Services Initiative and the REACH Regulation) or diluting them during the legislative process (such as the Nature Restoration Law). Climate and environment legislation has been particularly affected. The Commission’s focus in its 2024-2029 political guidelines shifts towards reducing burdens for polluting industries, which would trigger years of economic uncertainty. This puts the public interest on the backburner and risks setting back years of environmental progress. Rather than take a holistic approach to the debate on administrative burdens, overly simplistic false solutions such as the arbitrary “one in two out” rule have been pushed by those seeking to emulate the deregulatory agenda.

Question we want to ask:

What concrete steps will you take to ensure that the Commission continues to focus on regulating in the public interest, putting citizens’ health first, based on a non-regression principle as well as safeguarding and advancing social and environmental legislation that heeds science?

Answer we want to hear:

There needs to be a clear commitment to using the Commission’s regulatory powers to deliver on the environmental acquis and the objectives of the European Green Deal, whilst putting the public interest first. This entails clear commitment to implement and enforce existing regulation. As a Commissioner, I will ensure democratically-decided EU law is safeguarded. This includes both the recently adopted legislative Fit For 55 package and laws as part of the European Green Deal framework, as well as the long-established body of environmental law, such as the Birds and Habitats Directives, the Water Framework Directive and others. I will ensure administrative and reporting requirements are streamlined and simplified, whilst ensuring this will not translate in reducing the level of protection for social rights, public health benefits and the environment.

Effective implementation of vital environmental rules

Context:

Despite the vital role that environmental, health and social regulations play in ensuring a level playing field and certainty for businesses, the implementation of common EU environmental rules has been underperforming for decades. In addition, the slowness, lack of transparency, lack of adequate resources and political will regarding enforcement and infringement processes have not made it possible to ensure compliance with many laws that are fundamental to tackling the environmental crises we face. The European Green Deal has brought in much-needed new and reformed legislation, but a law can only deliver its full benefits if properly implemented.

Question we want to ask:

What action will you take to ensure the proper implementation by Member States and enforcement of the EU’s long-established body of environmental law and the Green Deal, as well as its international commitments?

Answer we want to hear:

I will propose an Implementation and Enforcement Action Plan, because the EU must make the implementation of the existing climate and environmental legal framework a political priority. I will take forward a smart implementation programme, harnessing the power of digitalisation, clear and accessible guidance, active stakeholder engagement, targeted incentives and harmonisation. This innovative programme must aim to equip EU and national public administrations with additional staff to seriously address implementation, compliance and enforcement, with the aim to ensure climate and environmental legislation delivers its promises. In my new role, in stress testing the entire EU acquis, I will prioritise enhancing the administrative capacity and procedures of EU Member States - many of which have historically struggled with the effective implementation of environmental policies. I will ensure that the Commission closely coordinates and monitors compliance and enforcement steps and guarantees more transparent and faster procedures. I will also ensure annual discussions across the three legislative institutions on progress and what is still needed to deliver on the Green Deal, the 8th Environment Action Programme, and our commitments to international conventions such as the SDGs.

The European Green Deal at the core of the Clean Industrial Deal

Context:

The last five years of EU policymaking have seen significant efforts to set out a clear transition path in law to a healthy EU economy and society, based on a first set of long-term objectives and interim milestones. The Green Deal has been and continues to be Europe’s best strategy for competitiveness and industrial transformation in the increasingly tightening global race for green and clean tech solutions.

Question we want to ask:

How will you ensure that the Green Deal stands at the core of the EU’s industrial and energy transition, namely the Clean Industrial Deal, ensuring it commits to decarbonisation, nature-positive and zero pollution efforts to advance the objectives laid out in the Green Deal legislative framework, in order for the EU to become a front-runner on sustainability?

Answer we want to hear:

The European Green Deal and its targets are the leading centrepiece of the EU’s industrial and energy transition for decades to come, being Europe’s long-term vision. Investments and law-making efforts on Europe’s industrial development and its competitiveness during the upcoming mandate will need to be future-proofed in terms of their environmental, climate and pollution impacts. They should also enable opportunities from energy and resource efficiency, circular economy measures and investments in cleantech solutions to be realised, helping with energy savings, job creation, resilience and competitiveness on sustainability. The Clean Industrial Deal, as part of the European Prosperity Plan, must not only be aligned with but also advance the interim and long-term targets of the Green Deal. Regulatory incentives and financial support need to clearly support scaling up crucial industry sectors for decarbonisation, as well as guaranteeing a pollution-free and nature-positive transition.

Restoring nature for climate resilience

Context:

The alarming loss of natural habitats and species, accelerated by and worsening the impacts of climate change, poses significant risks to human livelihoods and economic activities, with 50% of global GDP being highly or moderately dependent on nature. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Agreement, the 2030 EU Biodiversity Strategy and the EU Nature Restoration Law among others represent crucial tools for reversing biodiversity decline and enhancing climate resilience. Large-scale nature restoration not only safeguards ecosystems but also cost effectively provides critical benefits such as carbon sequestration, flood protection, and improved air and water quality. Citizens across the EU have shown strong support for nature restoration, and implementing these initiatives effectively is vital for achieving climate goals and ensuring a resilient future for all Europeans. They need to receive full political priority and adequate resources, including dedicated funding. Aligning with existing and new policies, like the planned EU Climate Adaptation Plan and EU Water Resilience Strategy, is crucial for maximising benefits. Nature conservation and restoration however, are currently drastically underfunded, leaving the EU off track to achieve its international and self-set objectives.

Question we want to ask:

What specific measures will you take to ensure the full implementation and enforcement of the EU Nature Restoration Law and the commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Agreement, how will you integrate these in the planned EU Climate Adaptation Plan and Water Resilience Strategy, and will you allocate additional dedicated funding for nature restoration, conservation and nature-based solutions to support climate mitigation and adaptation?

Answer we want to hear:

Restoring nature is essential for Europe’s and global climate resilience as well as the wellbeing of all. By investing and safeguarding nature, we not only address the biodiversity crisis and enhance our resilience but also protect human health and create sustainable economic opportunities. I will therefore prioritise the full implementation and enforcement of the EU Nature Restoration Law and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Agreement, among others, by ensuring that Member States develop and adhere to ambitious nature restoration plans that are delivered within the two year deadline. I will ask Member States to use their adaptation strategies and plans to scale-up the use of nature-based solutions to climate adaptation, and in our Water Resilience Strategy I will set-up targets for a reduction of water use in all sectors. To support these efforts, I will advocate for the allocation of new and dedicated funds from the EU budget specifically for nature restoration and conservation. This includes creating financial mechanisms to support farmers, fishers, and landowners contributing to large-scale restoration projects and nature-based solutions. I will work to integrate nature restoration objectives into broader EU policies, ensuring coherence and maximising the impact of our actions.

A European Ocean Deal for health and resilience

Context:

The ocean is Earth’s largest carbon sink, playing a crucial role in regulating the climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and 90% of excess heat. Europe’s seas, however, are among the most overexploited and degraded, threatening the livelihoods of fishers, coastal communities, and biodiversity. The announcement in the Political Guidelines to develop a European Oceans Pact can lead towards more integrated and effective ocean governance. An overarching approach is needed to protect marine ecosystems, support the transition to a sustainable blue economy, and enhance the resilience of coastal areas against climate change impacts.

Question we want to ask:

What specific measures will you include in the European Oceans Pact to protect marine biodiversity, reduce overfishing, foster a sustainable blue economy, and ensure effective implementation, and will you commit to establishing a dedicated EU Ocean Fund to support these initiatives?

Answer we want to hear:

I will ensure that the European Oceans Pact effectively addresses the critical challenges facing our marine environments. To protect marine biodiversity, we will establish and enforce robust marine protected areas, ensuring they cover at least 30% of EU waters by 2030 and guaranteeing the absence of environmentally harmful activities in them. We will look at all maritime activities in a comprehensive manner to ensure the cumulative impacts of human activities is considered in maritime planning. We will also implement stricter regulations to enforce the 30% and 10% protected areas targets, combat overfishing, including the adoption of science-based catch limits built on an ecosystem-based approach, and measures to eliminate bycatch. We will invest in low-impact fisheries and marine renewable energy, ensuring these industries operate within ecological limits and in line with biodiversity and climate commitments. To provide adequate funding to deliver on these objectives, I commit to establishing a dedicated EU Ocean Fund.

Tackling toxic pollution

Context:

Industry is a key source of jobs, products, and income, but also of pollution, toxic chemicals and impacts on nature and resources. The human health cost of air, water, noise and soil pollution is measured in billions of euros each year, with toxic emissions and hazardous chemicals causing illness, infertility, cognitive impairment, and premature death. Women, children and future generations are disproportionately impacted by this.

Question we want to ask:

Will you commit to propose legislative action to uphold the zero pollution commitments, in particular improving air quality under a revised National Emission Ceilings Directive, and addressing the hazardous impacts from chemical pollution by implementing the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability to protect citizens and environment from harmful chemicals notably through an ambitious reform of REACH during your mandate?

Answer we want to hear:

Yes. Air, water and noise pollution are the largest environmental health risks in Europe, whilst the chemical pollution crisis is threatening the planet’s stability and our survival. This poses profound health and environmental risks, and an increasing number of documented cases of unacceptable impacts on people and nature. Inaction to cut any kind of pollution is not only much more costly than action, but it also breaches the fundamental human right to live in a safe and healthy environment. As Commissioner I will ensure that the EU sticks to its zero pollution pathway by strengthening the ambition and expanding the scope of the National Emission Ceilings Directive, and by committing to a toxic-free and socially just green transition. The support to European industry in leading the way in the innovation of safe chemicals, products, and practices will be connected to a sound reform of REACH and a ban of all non essential uses of PFAs. Achieving zero pollution will also include further action on addressing water pollution via the dedicated Nutrient Management Action Plan.

An industrial transformation fit for the future

Context:

European industry is both a major contributor to the climate emergency as well as increasingly hit by climate impacts and uncertainties, putting the EU’s supply chains as well as industry sectors increasingly at risk. The adoption of the US Inflation Reduction Act equips the US with a long-term climate investment plan, increasing the global competition for clean tech and resources. The EU must step up its efforts and ensure its long-term prosperity and competitiveness with a green industrial transformation of the EU's resource and energy intensive industries (like steel, cement and chemicals) that puts workers and communities at the heart of the transition. A ramp up of clean technologies is needed to enable this transformation, avoiding costly distractions that are delaying efforts to phase out fossil fuels, and strengthening the emphasis on demand-side measures and circularity.

Question we want to ask:

Will you ensure that the Clean Industrial Deal sets out a holistic industrial policy, that rolls out proven production techniques and enablers that are compatible with our climate, nature and zero pollution goals, mainstreaming circularity and considering sufficiency principles, while ensuring that additional investments come with strong climate, social and environmental conditionalities?

Answer we want to hear:

Yes, because the needs of industry must work in harmony with our climate and environmental objectives. I will put forward clean transition pathways for resource and energy intensive industries that take into account decarbonisation, zero pollution and circular economy objectives, as well as additional instruments to ensure proven enabling clean technologies for industrial transformation are ramped up. I will also ensure that the EU puts an end to the (in)direct subsidies to polluters that continue to harm the competitiveness of clean tech industries, instead channelling those funds into scaling future-proof and green industries. I will also ensure sufficient targeted funds and support to enable workers and communities most affected by industrial transformation to have access to employment and essential services.

Ambitious climate targets rooted in science

Context:

To maintain its global commitments and further implement the EU Climate Law, the EU must adopt ambitious 2040 and 2035 climate targets with a view to submitting the next EU NDC no later than the first quarter of 2025, as agreed at COP28. The 90% net emission reduction target by 2040 proposed by the Commission in its Communication lags behind the ambition level recommended by both the Commission’s own Impact Assessment and the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change, and there is the risk that the intermediate 2035 target will only be mathematically derived from the 2040 target to fulfil the EU’s UNFCCC requirements, lacking the ambition required.

Question we want to ask:

Given that the EU is already off track to meet its 2030 climate targets, are you prepared to react and implement the required measures to align with these targets, and beyond this, step up the EU’s climate ambition for 2035 and 2040 and ensure higher targets are set, as well as introduce three separate and distinct sub targets and policies for (a) gross emissions reduction, (b) net carbon dioxide sequestration in the land use (LULUCF) sector and (c) permanent industrial carbon dioxide removals?

Answer we want to hear:


Yes. Aiming for anything less than net zero by 2040 shows a lack of global leadership and contradicts the EU’s fair share commitment to fulfilling the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement. Insufficient climate targets will put millions of lives at risk, with the poorest and the most vulnerable poised to suffer the most. As Commissioner, I will ensure that the EU unlocks the significant environmental, social and economic co-benefits of a net zero goal of 2040 at the latest, totalling at least €1 trillion by 2030. For both 2040 and 2035, we will establish separate targets for gross emissions reduction, net carbon dioxide sequestration in the land use sector and permanent industrial carbon dioxide removals.

A socially-just and nature positive energy transition

Context:

Renewable energy is the cheapest and cleanest form of energy available, saving Europeans billions of euros during the energy price crisis, replacing price-volatile and polluting fossil fuels. On top of energy sufficiency and energy efficiency policies, we need to further accelerate the deployment of wind and solar energy, while also enhancing grids, increasing storage, demand-side flexibility and improving system and grid flexibility. A steep and continued reduction of energy consumption, together with a redirection of fossil fuel subsidies, is paramount and can bring multiple benefits, including lower infrastructure needs, saving costs and natural resources, job creation and lower energy bills for housing and transport. The costs and benefits of the energy transition should be borne and shared equitably across society. Attention should be paid to ensure that all parts of society can benefit from the green transition, have agency in delivering the needed progress, and support fairness and justice across society. The risk of the lowest income households becoming locked-in to increasingly expensive fossil fuel use must be avoided, and energy poverty must be eliminated.

Question we want to ask:

Will you commit to promoting the ambitious deployment of renewable energy infrastructure across the EU towards a fully renewable energy system hand in hand with nature, mitigating temporary negative side effects on energy bills and maximising public engagement and benefits for local communities, while implementing measures to cut energy demand in half by 2040, phase out coal by 2030, fossil gas by 2035 and oil by 2040?

Answer we want to hear:

Yes, energy savings and renewable energy need to go hand in hand to push fossil fuels out of the energy system and ensure a compatible pathway towards limiting global temperature increase to 1.5°C. It is essential to adopt binding phase-out dates and

trajectories to seal the end of the use of coal (by 2030 at the latest), fossil gas (by 2035 at the latest) and fossil oil (by 2040 at the latest), while stopping further development and investment in fossil fuel infrastructure, especially for fossil gas. As Commissioner I will end the fossil fuel industry's excessive weight on EU and Member States’ decision-making processes, prioritising instead engagement with citizens and local communities in order to avoid false solutions. I will also commit to fast tracking people and nature positive renewables and advancing the needed supporting measures and enabling mechanisms. The changes ahead pose both opportunities and serious challenges to a large share of the population, so we must engage all parts of society and in particular earmark climate dividends to tackle the needs of the most vulnerable, and find innovative social and financial approaches targeted specifically at low-income households.

A robust package of green and social investments

Context:

Financing needs to achieve the EU's climate, environmental and social objectives are massive, while the European Green Deal lacks a European financing arm. The end of the Next Generation EU (NGEU) in 2026 implies a substantial reduction in investment as it will cut the EU’s financial firepower in half (by about €800 billion). At the same time, the reformed EU fiscal rules will lead to austerity measures and limit the fiscal capacity of Member States to invest in their transition. We need an ‘investments Commission’ to propose a robust investment package at the EU level of at least €1 trillion by 2030.

Question we want to ask:

Will you support a major investment plan, including building an EU investment capacity via an increased EU budget and a new borrowing programme to succeed NextGenEU?

Answer we want to hear:

Yes. A €1 trillion investment plan for people and the planet needs to be at the top of the agenda for this EU term. The challenges we face today in tackling multifaceted crises are largely investment challenges, and EU funding is more needed than ever to mobilise and boost public and private financing of Europe’s resilience, social fairness and competitive sustainability. Ahead of the EU elections, political parties’ manifestos all recognised this need. Now is the time to meet citizens’ expectations of a better future, invest in the transformation of our economy, and make good on the promises of the Green Deal.

A just and sustainable transition for farmers and our food systems

Context:

According to the European Environment Agency’s 2024 European Climate Risk Assessment report, urgent action is needed in the agriculture sector to address its severe environmental impacts and secure its long-term viability. Increasing droughts and declining water resources, and depleted natural resources, jeopardise food security and will drive many farmers out of business unless they adapt, notably via the adoption of proven nature based solutions and sound agronomic practices. This comes on top of farmers’ struggles related to insufficient incomes, supply chain abuses, unfair competition and perceived administrative burden. Evidence is clear that economic prosperity and environmental stewardship go hand-in-hand.

Question we want to ask:

Will you ensure the future Common Agricultural Policy is fit for the necessary transition towards environmental, social and economic sustainability in the farming sector and commit to an overhaul of the current subsidies distribution mechanism based on/starting with an in-depth fitness check of the policy?

Answer we want to hear:

Yes, because farmers need fair incomes, not more exposure to environmental and climate risks, and I have a duty to ensure there are effective and efficient controls on how taxpayers’ money is spent. I will bring forward a legal framework for sustainable food systems that will ensure the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and other funding mechanisms are coherent with EU and international climate and environmental commitments and policies, and give farmers long-term stability and investment certainty for fostering sustainable food production. I will ensure subsidies and incentives support farmers fairly, including enabling small scale sustainable farmers, and avoid unnecessarily boosting the profits of large agro-businesses at the expense of producers and consumers.

A commitment to stop deforestation

Context:

When it comes to bending the curve of biodiversity loss and reducing emissions, the EU must consider its global impact on forests. The EU Deforestation Regulation, adopted in 2023, is a ground-breaking legislation to make sure that the products Europeans consume are not linked to forest destruction, human rights violations, or other illegal activities. Some Member States and Members of the European Parliament are calling for a delay or even reopening of the legislation despite strong public support for this legislation, with close to 1.2 million citizens asking for a law in 2020. All whilst forest destruction continues, including more than 24,000 fire outbreaks in the Amazon since the beginning of 2024 - the highest number between January and July since 2005.

Question we want to ask:

How will you ensure smooth and on-schedule application of the EUDR, and work with Member States and third countries to ensure the regulation is implemented and enforced to deliver on its intended impact?

Answer we want to hear:

First of all, I am committed to ensuring the EUDR implementation according to the measures and timeline set in the legislation. I will see that the Commission delivers relevant tools (Information System, Country risk benchmarking) and guidance well in time and before the end of the year. The Commission will continue to facilitate regular exchanges with, and provide support to, Member States and encourage sharing of good practices and cooperation. Furthermore, we will reinforce dialogue with and support to third countries as laid out in the law and seek internal alignment within the Commission to deliver on the objectives of the broader strategic objectives of the Communication on Stepping up EU Action to Protect and Restore the World’s Forests.

A decent, affordable and decarbonised EU housing stock

Context:

The building sector holds significant decarbonisation potential, accounting for 40% of the EU's energy demand and 36% of its CO2 emissions. While energy poverty is rising, household income spent on housing has dramatically increased. Despite this, a substantial investment gap remains in achieving the necessary funding for decarbonised, affordable, and decent housing, particularly for the most vulnerable citizens.

Question we want to ask:

How will you address the link between the needed renovations of the EU housing stock and the need for more affordable housing? Will you introduce a new holistic deep renovation strategy, backed by a robust and ambitious heating and cooling strategy to halve buildings' energy demand by 2040, while ensuring access to quality, energy efficient and affordable housing for all?

Answer we want to hear:

The decarbonisation of the EU's building stock, including its heating and cooling needs (where heating counts for the lion share of CO2 emissions), must be addressed comprehensively, considering its complexity and carried out in an integrated way. This approach aligns with the European Pillar of Social Rights and enhances the EU's resilience and adaptive capacity to current and future risks. I will ensure the EU accelerates its rate of deep renovations (i.e. 3% per year as of 2030) and the deployment of renewable heating and cooling solutions, with adequate financing, technical assistance and social safeguards, thus granting access to decent and affordable housing for all.

An EU green car policy fit for an affordable and sustainable transport system

Context:

The responsibility of the transport sector to address its emissions is only growing, as by 2030 transport will make up over 40% of the EU's carbon emissions. Cars will continue to account for the largest part of EU transport emissions. Europe is behind global competition in building the green local supply chain for batteries and EVs which are urgently needed to underpin its transport decarbonisation. This is putting ‘Made in Europe’ jobs, our climate goals, an affordable and sustainable transport system and the growth of future-proof industries at risk.

Question we want to ask:

Will you commit to safeguarding the EU’s green car policy and leave the 100% zero emission target for 2035 untouched as a strong industrial and climate pillar, backed by a green corporate fleets mandate and a comprehensive green industrial policy?

Answer we want to hear:

I will commit to safeguarding the 100% zero emission target for cars by 2035 as well as its interim CO-reduction targets in 2025 and 2030, ensuring the transition to clean new cars and vans. The 2035 cars regulation is a strong pillar in Europe's industrial policy today as automotive producers in Europe struggle to compete with global competitors and their massive advancements in the electric vehicle segment. This will entail ensuring that these vehicles become more affordable for all Europeans with targeted social support measures as well as confirming a company car mandate so that the ones that can afford it - large company car fleet owners - move first on EVs and bring down the prices for all. A comprehensive automotive transformation strategy with dedicated funding from the EU climate investment plan supports workers to develop the skills for the transition, supports EV demand and better policies for local manufacturing. Complementary to this, I will work to strengthen public and active transport in Europe in coordination with national, regional and city authorities to unfold the many benefits to public health, reduce congestion, and reduce material and climate impacts from transport.

A trade and investment policy consistent with the European Green Deal

Context:

In June 2024, the EU took the final step to exit the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), a multilateral trade and investment agreement that allows investors to sue governments over climate and energy policies. One of the key arguments for the EU to leave the ECT was its incompatibility with the EU's climate and energy goals under the European Green Deal and the Paris Agreement. Despite this progress, nearly 2,500 investment treaties with investor–state dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions still protect fossil fuel investments in the same way as the ECT, with the free trade agreements between the EU and Chile and Mexico being the latest example. This is not in line with the European Commission's climate argument to leave the ECT. Multilateral fora have been discussing investment treaty reform from different perspectives, but the discussions are not moving fast enough to address the climate emergency.

Question we want to ask:

Will you support the exclusion of fossil fuel investments from the scope of investment protection and commit to an immediate review of all bilateral investment treaties (BITs) to ensure alignment with the Commission’s ECT decision as well as with the Parliament’s June 2022 resolution calling for a new international investment policy consistent with the EU’s objectives and values?

Answer we want to hear:

Yes, I will support the exclusion from treaty protection of investments in fossil fuels or any other activities that pose significant harm to the environment and human rights. I also commit to ensure that all of the Member States’ BITs, including those that are currently being negotiated, are fully compatible with EU law, objectives and values, including by conducting a full audit of existing BITs and ongoing ISDS cases, as well as ISDS proceedings by EU investors against non-EU states that are challenging important environmental and climate measures abroad. The Commission should closely monitor compliance and will initiate infringement procedures when necessary to enforce these standards, regularly informing Parliament about the progress achieved. I will also see that the Commission takes a proactive approach in leading multilateral initiatives to exclude fossil fuels from investment protection, notably in the context of the OECD investment committee’s discussions about the threat of investment treaties for climate change.

A resilient circular economy in line with planetary boundaries

Context:

Europe’s still very resource intensive and wasteful linear economy model is depleting Earth’s finite resources, consuming materials faster than they can be regenerated and leading to higher costs and emissions than necessary. If everyone on Earth consumed like EU residents do, we would need the resources of 3 planets to meet global demand. This state of systemic overconsumption is the driving factor behind the most pressing challenges of our time, and is making our economy largely dependent on external sourcing - and therefore fragile. Despite the clear benefits of a circular economy, the EU’s circular use of materials has been stagnating over the last years, demonstrating the need to refocus existing policies to deliver on a genuine circular economy which reconciles resource extraction and consumption with planetary boundaries.

Question we want to ask:

Will you launch a legislative initiative on sustainable resources management with EU targets on reducing resource use (material use footprint) and its impacts (consumption footprint) from high-consumption sectors in line with planetary boundaries, mirroring the EU’s impactful emissions reduction targets? Will you commit to continue advancing circular economy policies that move towards a true circular economy, beyond the current focus on recycling and recovery?

Answer we want to hear:

Delivering a green and just transition requires decisive action to address our systemic overconsumption and to accelerate the uptake of a circular economy. To fast-track the circular economy and as indicated in the Political Guidelines, we will propose an ambitious EU Circular Economy Act for sustainable resource management which will guide a well-prepared shift towards a fair, autonomous, resilient, and sustainable EU economy which thrives within one healthy planet. This law will set EU resource use reduction targets, based on material and consumption footprints in line with the best available research on sustainable consumption levels, with indicators to monitor and ensure progress, and mechanisms to steer Member States to develop implementation strategies (including economic and fiscal instruments). This should also entail building the EU single circular market and scaling the recycling sector into an industry. The law will act as a compass for existing circular economy legislation to encourage repair and reuse to minimise resource use and reduce excess material flows. Delivering on the EU single circular economy promise also requires a far greater emphasis on policies and measures that support and scale industries for reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacture and repurposing, which requires upstream rethinking and redesigning of products and processes with this in mind.

Climate diplomacy for climate justice

Context:

Climate and energy transition partnerships are a critical element of the external dimension of the European Green Deal and to globally support more ambitious climate action and a socially just green transition in this critical decade. We are entering a decisive but risky period in the global climate discourse, amidst escalating devastating climate impacts: with geopolitical fragmentation, a new EU policy cycle and Parliamentary composition, and with UNFCCC COP29 in late 2024 and the submission of new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in early 2025. It is therefore an important moment for the EU to prioritise climate partnerships with other countries.

Question we want to ask:

Will you prioritise proactive and better coordinated EU climate diplomacy, based on participatory justice, social values, and with increased climate finance provision for vulnerable communities outside of Europe?

Answer we want to hear:

Yes, I will prioritise proactive and better coordinated EU climate diplomacy, in an inclusive way that protects gender rights, human rights, and the participation of a diverse range of voices including indigenous communities and civil society. The Commission will publish a new EU Green Diplomacy Strategy that streamlines and implements new and existing climate partnerships, and puts proactive climate diplomacy with key partners including Latin America, India, and Africa, at the heart of the EU’s external operations, cognisant of the EU’s environmental, equity, and peace objectives. We will significantly enhance the EU’s climate finance provision, coordinating international wealth taxation, to ensure that vulnerable communities outside of Europe have direct access to grant-based public finance aimed at alleviating poverty and debt. We will also substantially increase the aid, technical assistance, and capacity-building available to developing countries as part of new climate partnerships. Alignment to the Paris Agreement will be at their core, promoting a socially just transition away from fossil fuels.

About the page:

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This work is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor CINEA can be held responsible for them.

This work is funded by the Minor Foundation. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the Minor Foundation.