Green deal or just green tinsel? Changing EU priorities.

When Ursula von der Leyen presented her program to the European Parliament, she emphasized support for the Green Deal, but focused on industrial competitiveness and deregulation, which could threaten progress on climate and the environment. Biodiversity and pollution seem to be under-addressed. The changes raise questions about the EU's sincerity about long-term resilience, and citizens may be deceived. The European Parliament must demand clarity and speed up the fight against climate change.

The upcoming hearings of the commissioners are an opportunity to ask tough questions about their environmental competence and to ensure that vested interests, especially from agri- and fossil fuels, do not threaten the direction of the EU. The Executive Vice-President for the Green Deal has played a key role in the past and his continuation is essential to maintain direction.

A focus on simplification can weaken environmental protection. Commissioners should commit to maintaining the current level of protection and the EU must prioritize strengthening Member States' administrative capacities. Industrial policy must be in line with ecological goals and support green industrial transformation.

The green transition requires major investment, which could unlock more than €1 trillion in public investment by 2030. All spending must be in line with sustainability goals. The Commission should put a legally binding end to fossil fuels and subsidies harmful to biodiversity. The EU needs strong leadership on climate, nature and zero pollution to keep the Green Deal on track; otherwise it risks remaining just an empty promise. (Co2AI)