Under pressure from the Greens in the European Parliament, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has agreed to tighten the EU’s climate laws, despite growing opposition from member states.
Last year, von der Leyen promised the Greens she would revise the European Climate Law in exchange for their backing in her reelection bid. The Greens are pushing for “clear and binding” 2040 emissions targets for EU nations.
The European Climate Law enshrines the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050, requiring at least a 55% emissions cut by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. Now, the Commission wants to introduce a new milestone: a 90% reduction by 2040, making the target mandatory across the bloc.
On top of that, the EU aims for renewables to cover 42.5% of energy consumption by 2030, while furthering industrial decarbonization through expanded renewable energy, battery production, heat pumps, and electric vehicles.
Despite being only the sixth-largest EP group with 53 out of 720 MEPs, the Greens’ sway over von der Leyen highlights the EU’s reluctance to acknowledge the political shift to the right in recent elections.
Many member states blame the European Green Deal for tax hikes, excessive regulations, and rising energy costs that undermine EU competitiveness. The Commission’s moves, while claiming to cut red tape, offer little relief to struggling businesses and farmers.
The right-wing Patriots for Europe group is calling for a unified pushback against the Green Deal, urging swift action to shield companies and consumers from what they see as harmful climate policies.
As anti-globalist, right-wing parties gain ground in Europe and the U.S., calls to abandon extreme climate measures are becoming more common. Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has vowed to prioritize industry over environmental policies, and Austria’s coalition talks began with plans to reduce climate subsidies. Meanwhile, Swiss voters just rejected strict emissions limits in a referendum, signaling wider resistance to the EU’s green agenda.
