The European Parliament on Wednesday rejected an emergency request from the Socialists and Social Democrats (S&D), Renew (Liberals and Centrists), and Greens/EFA groups to swiftly consider the European Commission’s 2040 climate targets proposal.
The request was turned down by 379 votes to 300, with eight abstentions. Alongside far-right groups, the majority of the conservative EPP group (Christian Democrats, including CD&V) and the nationalist ECR group (N-VA) voted against it.
Last week, the European Commission proposed a 2040 climate target aimed at a 90% reduction in greenhouse gases compared to 1990 levels, with some flexibility. Both EU Member States and the European Parliament needed to give their opinion.
Far right secures the post of rapporteur in the European Parliament
Discussions in the European Parliament are led by a rapporteur, and this week it was announced that the far-right group Patriots for Europe (PfE), which includes France’s National Rally (RN) and Vlaams Belang, secured this position.
According to a source, the PfE, which is the third-largest political power in the European Parliament, made such a high bid that other groups had no choice but to accept.
To prevent the PfE, who consistently describe EU climate policies as “punitive” and “bureaucratic,” from delaying negotiations or weakening the Commission's proposal, S&D, Renew, and the Greens requested an urgent procedure.
They hoped this would prevent the rapporteur from postponing the proposal’s review. However, their request was rejected on Wednesday.
Fears for November's climate summit in Brazil
MEP Sarah Matthieu (Groen) expressed concern that the EU might attend the UN climate summit in Brazil in November without a strong climate stance. “If Europe doesn’t take climate seriously, why would others?” she remarked.
Bruno Tobback (Vooruit) criticised the Christian Democrats for “handing over the climate target to the far-right,” which he found incomprehensible and irresponsible. He noted that businesses were waiting for the 2040 target for investments in affordable energy production, quality housing, sustainable agriculture, and the circular economy.
Hilde Vautmans (Open Vld) highlighted that the proposal provided flexibility to maintain competitiveness.
The EPP argued against rushing such a significant issue. Liesbeth Sommen (CD&V) assured that the EPP would use all measures to prevent the PfE group from delaying or dismantling the proposal. “We will not work with them to weaken climate policy,” she pledged.
However, Kris Van Dijk (N-VA) described the Commission’s target as “unrealistic” and warned it would “hit our struggling industry even harder.”
