Key lawmakers from the Eurosceptic group Patriots for Europe (PfE) are poised to significantly influence the EU’s climate policy following a recent vote in the European Parliament. Confirmed on Tuesday, the PfE group will lead negotiations concerning the EU’s ambitious target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 90% from 1990 levels by 2040. The group has secured the critical rapporteur role, a position that will grant one of its Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) substantial authority over the legislative process. An attempt to fast-track the climate policy through an emergency procedure—aimed at reducing transparency and oversight—was rejected by a majority vote on Wednesday, underscoring the growing tension in the chamber over climate issues.
With the PfE now tasked with drafting recommendations for the climate target, MEP Fabrice Leggeri from France’s National Rally indicated that they aim to conduct a comprehensive overhaul of the EU’s climate approach rather than merely refining existing numerical goals. The specifics of the MEP selected for the rapporteur role remain uncertain, but speculation points towards a member from France’s National Rally, which boasts a significant presence on the Environment Committee (ENVI). The proposed 2024 European Commission climate plan aims to reaffirm the bloc’s commitment to addressing climate change and reaching climate neutrality as outlined in the EU’s Green Deal, a framework that has drawn fierce opposition from the far-right.
Far-right parties have consistently criticized the EU’s climate initiatives, labeling them as extreme and detrimental to the economy. Jordan Bardella, leader of the National Rally, previously called for the immediate suspension of the Green Deal, asserting that the proposed emission reduction targets are unrealistic and harmful to both citizens and businesses. According to Silvia Sardone, an MEP from the Italian League, discussions should focus on outcomes that benefit European citizens rather than adhering to what they perceive as unattainable targets set by the EU.
The allocation of the climate file to the PfE results from a complex negotiation system aimed at balancing power among various political groups within the European Parliament. This arrangement has stirred backlash from left-wing and centrists, especially in light of the impending vote of censure against Ursula von der Leyen’s Commission. Critics argue that the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) inadvertently aligned with far-right factions by rejecting the emergency procedure, thereby handing control of critical climate discussions to the PfE.
The reaction from leftist groups has been vociferously negative, with Greens warning that the PfE’s stance could jeopardize vital negotiations leading up to COP30 in Brazil and hinder compliance with upcoming UN climate deadlines. Sardone has acknowledged that there is little likelihood of the file progressing through the committee stage before key climate milestones, notably the COP30 conference in November, adding to the urgency of the situation. Meanwhile, critics such as Austrian Green MEP Lena Schilling have condemned the collaboration between the EPP and right-wing extremists, raising alarms about the implications for public health and the broader EU credibility in addressing the climate crisis.
The geopolitical backdrop of these debates is significant, given the exacerbated conditions of climate change reflected in recent severe heatwaves that have resulted in numerous fatalities across the EU. Schilling emphasized that immediate action is critical, asserting that the resulting partnership between conservative and far-right groups is stalling necessary progress. As the EU navigates these contentious discussions, the trajectory of its climate policy remains uncertain, hinging on the outcomes of negotiations led by the PfE and their broader implications for European environmental commitments.
