On December 1, the new EU commissioners took office. Following the election results from June and rising public backlash, many have expected a less prominent role of green policies in the EU’s new term. Yet the Commissioners in their hearings in Parliament reaffirmed that there is no backtracking on climate ambitions.
New EU ready to start work
On 27th November, all the 26 new Commissioners were given the final green light to take office from 1st December. They will shape EU policies in the next legislative term until mid-2029 and hence, will make or break the EU’s climate ambitions.
The EU elections, which took place June 6-9 this year, has brought forward the European People’s Party as coalition lead in the European Parliament. They elected Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as the Commission President on 18th July 2024.
Following proposals by national governments, on 17th September, President von der Leyen announced the allocation of portfolios to the nominated Commissioners. They then went through intense wetting in November by the Parliament which consists of written Q&A and oral hearings in front of the Parliament.
The new Commission is now in charge of proposing new laws and amendments. With more opposition to environmental priorities, it is feared that the climate agenda could be put on hold. Also the need for an industrial reboot to gain competitiveness, as highlighted in the Draghi report, could shift priorities.
Highlights from the Commissioners’ hearings
In their hearings, the new Commissioners in charge of the climate portfolio reaffirmed their climate ambitions. With continued commitment to the green deal, ambitious climate target for 2040 and support for CBAM they aim to strengthen European industries and easing business.
As a central piece to align decarbonization with competitiveness, they pitched the Clean Industrial Deal as a key strategy. It was first proposed by von der Leyen in her political guidelines for the 2024-2029 term.
Teresa Ribera Rodríguez – Clean Transition
From Spain, she is one of the six executive vice presidents of the new Commission, and holds the portfolio of clean, just and competitive transition. In this role, she will be in charge of working out the Clean Industrial Deal.
In her parliamentary hearing, she emphasized:
- “… going faster in advancing sustainable prosperity and competitiveness, making business easier … I will do so by both coordinating the green agenda … and enforcing a competition policy …”
- “Clean Industrial Deal counts on a great driver around decarbonisation, and the 90% reduction target by 2040 should be part of this …”
Stéphane Séjourné – Industrial Strategy
From France, he will be executive vice president for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy. In this role, he will be responsible for developing an Industrial Decarbonization Accelerator Act and take lead on the Net Zero Industry Act.
In his answers to the Parliament, he stressed:
- “The Clean Industrial Deal will build on what has been achieved under the last mandate … It will go further on strengthening the business case for decarbonisation and support industry in its efforts to innovate and scale up.”
- “CBAM is a very important instrument for the climate … I will work … to ensure its full and timely implementation … .”
Wopke Hoekstra – Climate
From the Netherlands, he keeps his position as Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth. In this role, he is tasked to ensure the EU reaches its 2030 climate targets and pave the way to achieve net zero by 2050.
In his hearing in the Parliament, he ensured:
- “What I will do is table a targeted legislative proposal to enshrine a net 90% emission reduction target for 2040 in the European Climate Law. I will also bring forward proposals for the post‑2030 climate policy framework …”
- “For reasons of carbon leakage, we do need to continue with CBAM.”
Jessika Roswall – Environment
From Sweden, she is the Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy. In this role, she will work out a Circular Economy Act to boost demand for secondary materials.
In her parliamentary hearing, she underscored:
- “… there is this urgency of both decarbonise and industrialise our economy at the same time … I think that the Clean Industrial Deal is where it’s going to happen …”
- “I see three main key areas: first is the circular economy: that’s the key to decarbonise. The second is the chemical industry package: that will be essential. And third, we need to accelerate the permitting processes to make this happen.”
Dan Jørgensen – Energy
From Denmark, he is the commissioner for Energy and Housing. In this role, he will put forward an Action Plan for Affordable Energy Prices.
In his hearing, he stated:
- “I will make it a top priority to bring down the prices of energy for our industry, for our people.”
- “… climate change… President von der Leyen has called the European Green Deal our answer … I agree, and we need to continue this important work. There is no room for backtracking.”
Maroš Šefčovič – Trade
From Slovakia, he holds the portfolios of Trade and Economic Security as well as Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency. In this role, he will develop an EU trade policy focused on competitiveness, security and sustainability.
In his hearing, he highlighted:
- “We are introducing a very clear commitment that if it comes to the SMEs, we want to reduce the reporting burden by not 25% but 35% … make it easier for our businesses to thrive …”
- “(CBAM) is how to prevent the carbon leakage and making sure that the products which are imported into the EU with the worst carbon footprint … would be properly levelled out …”
Bumpy path ahead
In the hearings, the new commissioners reaffirmed to not let loose on the EU’s climate ambition. Their maneuvering will now be key to bring the EU on track towards climate-neutrality in 2050. Already in the first quarter of 2025, a proposal for a 2040 target to be added to the Climate Law is expected.
Reconciling these decarbonization goals with a competitive industry will be a key strategy for success. A first communication on the Clean Industrial Deal is expected within the 100 days of the new Commission starting office.
In the shorter term, the Commission will also have to ensure that the binding target to cut emissions by 55% is achieved by 2030. According to a new report by the European Environment Agency (EEA), with the current and planned policies, the EU will only be able to achieve an emissions reduction of 49%.
While the Commission stays committed to climate action, the road ahead is challenging. Their policy proposals must gain approval from both the Parliament and the Council. Both may prioritize more popular and national demands for deregulation and less interference from Brussels – also vetted by industry groups.
How the Commission navigates through this complicated political economy will indeed make or break European climate ambition.
Sources and further information:
- European Parliament: Confirmation hearings for the European Commission
- European Parliament: Parliament approves the “von der Leyen II” Commission
- European Commission: Commissioners-designate (2024-2029)
- EEA: Trends and Projection in Europe 2024
Photo by Guillaume Périgois on Unsplash
