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Reuters
6 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
EU lawmakers reject attempt to curb far right's sway on climate talks
BRUSSELS, July 9 (Reuters) - The European Parliament on Wednesday rejected a proposal to fast-track talks on the EU's new climate target, scuttling a move by liberal, socialist and green lawmakers to try to limit the influence of climate sceptic lawmakers on the goal. The far-right Patriots of Europe group, which rejects EU policies to curb climate change, on Tuesday took on the role of lead negotiators for the 2040 climate target, seeking to steer talks on the goal, which the group said it firmly opposed. Lawmakers rebuffed a proposal on Wednesday to fast-track the negotiations, which would have skipped stages where the Patriots could exert most influence, and limited their ability to set the timings for negotiations. A total of 379 lawmakers rejected the plan to accelerate the talks, versus 300 in favour and eight abstentions. The vote puts the Patriots firmly in the lead for the parliament as it negotiates the final 2040 climate target with EU member countries. The Patriots will now draft an initial negotiating proposal for the parliament. A Patriots spokesperson said the group would not prioritise trying to meet a September deadline for countries to submit new climate targets to the United Nations. "What truly matters is achieving a deal that delivers real benefits for our citizens. Patriots have never negotiated under pressure like traders in a marketplace," the spokesperson said. The Patriots are the third-biggest lawmaker group in the EU Parliament and the group includes the political parties of France's far-right leader Marine Le Pen and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The Patriots secured the lead negotiating role in a closed-door meeting on Tuesday by outbidding the parliament's biggest group, the centre-right European People's Party, EU officials told Reuters. Green lawmakers said they feared the target would now be watered down or face long delays. "There is an acute danger that the European Union's climate target will be buried," said German EU lawmaker Michael Bloss. The attempt to fast-track the talks failed because it was not supported by the EPP - the party of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Dutch EPP EU lawmaker Jeroen Lenaers said the group did not deem the fast-track procedure necessary, and wanted to "improve" the Commission's proposed target to cut emissions 90% by 2040, without specifying further. Some EPP lawmakers have said a 90% target is too ambitious. Governments from Italy to Poland have pushed back this year on ambitious emissions-cutting goals, citing concerns over the costs for industries.
Japan Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
EU's far right to help shape 2040 climate goals after vote fails
A far-right group in the European Parliament is set to have influence over shaping the European Union's 2040 climate goals, after lawmakers on Wednesday failed to gather enough votes in their first attempt to curb its role in negotiations. An initiative to fast-track the legislation — which would have stripped power from the climate-skeptical Patriots of Europe group — fell short due to insufficient backing from the center-right European People's Party. In the EU assembly, the plan for urgent consideration of the greenhouse gas reduction law was backed by the Socialists & Democrats, Renew and Greens. The legislation is aimed at cutting emissions 90% by 2040 from 1990 levels. Though the parliament has now opted for more time to consider the law, the EPP said after the vote that a fast-track agreement is still possible before the EU presents its emissions-cutting plans before the United Nations climate talks in November in Brazil. The EU wants the plans for 2035, known as NDC, to be linked to its 2040 goal. "Our responsibility lies with a view to the international process, the necessity to deliver an NDC in due time and give a positive signal to the climate conference in Belem,' said Peter Liese, the group's lead lawmaker on environment. "On the other hand, we think that Europe needs to lead by example by keeping industry inside Europe and helping them to decarbonize and keep citizens on board.' The EPP is the biggest group in the parliament and the political home of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who depends on backing from the Socialists, Renew and Greens for majority support. The three groups have defined climate as a key issue on their agendas. Pascal Canfin, a senior lawmaker for the liberal Renew, said the four parties could make another attempt at triggering a fast-track procedure on the 2040 goal in September if the far-right tried to delay the climate law. The Patriots have the right to nominate a lead lawmaker, meaning the group can steer the climate proposal through the parliament, have a say on dates and represent the assembly in talks with member states and the commission about the final shape of the law. The parliament as well as member states in the EU Council each have the right to submit amendments to the commission's original proposal. Climate progressives had hoped the European Parliament would swiftly endorse a 90% emissions reduction target, increasing pressure on hesitant EU member states to follow suit. The EU must submit its 2035 climate plan to the U.N. ahead of COP30 in Belem. Any delay or dilution of ambition could undermine the bloc's credibility as a global climate leader. EU member states are set to discuss the 2040 target for the first time at an informal meeting of environment ministers in Aalborg, Denmark, on Thursday.
Bloomberg
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
EU's Far Right to Shape 2040 Climate Goals After Vote Fails
By and Ewa Krukowska Updated on Save A far-right group in the European Parliament is set to have influence over shaping the European Union's 2040 climate goals, after lawmakers on Wednesday failed to gather enough votes in their first attempt to curb its role in negotiations. An initiative to fast-track the legislation — which would have stripped power from the climate-skeptical Patriots of Europe group — fell short due to insufficient backing from the center-right European People's Party.
