Tired of yet another historic moment? Same. But long gone are the chill days – welcome to the era of back-to-back crises.
Across the Atlantic, the Trump administration just announced ‘reciprocal’ tariffs on (almost) every country on the planet that could hit levels unseen since the 19th century. This isn’t just another trade war – it’s uncharted territory. And the shockwave is heading straight for Europe, already juggling the climate crisis (as the fastest-warming continent), a make-or-break industrial transformation, and a housing crunch fuelled by soaring cost of living.
All eyes are now on Brussels. For many, the EU political project holds the answers people need in these uncertain times – from strategic autonomy to the defence of democracy and welfare state. But are lawmakers living up to the moment? More below!
🕺 MEPS’ CHOREOGRAPHY
TAKE THIS ‘CENTRIST’ WALTZ – Plenary week in Strasbourg means MEPs voting on key policies – and this time, it was a real stress test for the pro-EU coalition (conservatives, socialists, liberals, and greens). Votes ranged from a simplification package (which delays corporate sustainability reporting requirements) to the all-important issue of NGO funding. The former passed with ample support from main political groups (*sight*). The latter requires a closer look.
DANCING WITH THE DEVIL – As you’ve probably heard as a reader of this newsletter, a group of hardline conservative EPP MEPs have been teaming up with the far right and pushing the consistently debunked narrative that NGOs are paid by the Commission to lobby the Parliament on their behalf. In reality, it’s an excuse to cut public funding and weaken civil society voices in Brussels and beyond. But this week, in a vote as absurd as the objection it debated, they lost in the EU Parliament’s environment committee (ENVI), where some EPP members broke ranks to block an attack on LIFE funding for environmental advocacy groups.
OUT OF STEP – The vote was decided on a knife edge, with the result hinging on just one extra vote (40-41). The good news? Some conservatives took responsibility and refused to fall in line with the far right. The bad news? A growing hardline faction within the conservative EPP has no problem voting with the far right and buying their illiberal agenda. More in this article, plus liberal MEP Pascal Canfin’s take (current ENVI member and former chair).
TWIST AND SHOUT – The smear campaign against environmental NGOs has been running for months in a toxic mix of misinformation, half-truths, and outrage-bait straight out of the Trumpian playbook. Conservatives, as the kingmakers of the EU parliament, face an existential question: Will they stand by their pro-EU commitments or fall in line with the illiberal path led by Orban, Le Pen, and others? The sense of institutional responsibility is there; it’s a matter of reigniting it. C’mon…
THIS ISN’T OVER – Unfortunately, the political intent behind this campaign in Europe – to shrink civil society space and silence public interest advocacy – keeps going. As our Policy Director, Faustine Bas-Defossez, says in this interview with The Parliament Magazine, we’ve never seen anything like this. “Every week, there is something new. This has never happened before.” The risk to civil society is very real, and with an increasingly uncertain economic climate, there is a need for more public funding to support civil society, not less.
The next inflexion point in this saga is expected next week, with a vote in the Parliament’s Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) on the Commission’s budget discharge and the release of the European Court of Auditors report on NGO funding. Stay tuned for the next press conference.
💸 MADE-IN-EUROPE MOMENT?
TARIFFS ON EU LIVING STANDARDS – If you, like us, stared at Trump’s new “reciprocal” tariff list in confusion, you’re not alone. His calculation? The EU supposedly imposes a 39% barrier on US goods, so he’s slapping a 20% tariff on European imports. The catch? That 39% is based on “non-tariff barriers” like EU rules on environmental and health standards. In short, the narrative is that US products aren’t competitive in the EU because we care about their impact on our health and planet.
BUY EUROPEAN – This idea is gaining traction fast. The EU has the policy tools to transform its (often outdated) industrial landscape through strong sustainability and circularity standards while prioritising Made-in-Europe technologies. A new Strategic Perspectives report finds that, with this combined approach, up to 98% of green steel and 81% of new electric cars bought in Europe by 2035 could be produced domestically.
MONEY FOR GREEN FRONTRUNNERS – One of the EU’s most powerful tools to support green industries – especially steel and cement – is public procurement. Governments spend €2 trillion per year (14% of the EU’s GDP) on infrastructure and services. That money should only go to companies driving the green transition, not those clinging to polluting business models. The potential to use the public muscle to create lead markets and support trailblazers is huge. More on our recommendations for Green Public Procurement.
EU LABEL = GREEN GUARANTEE – For over 30 years, the EU Ecolabel has guided consumers and procurers towards truly greener choices, rewarded the most sustainable producers and retailers with a competitive edge, and set a (green) gold standard for EU sustainability policies. Now, with greenwashing on the rise, it’s time to build on this success story and expand EU ecolabels to more sectors. A new campaign launched this week highlights why the EU Ecolabel is a better deal for people and planet.
🌍 IN OTHER NEWS
WEAKENING 2040 TARGETS? We’ve been on edge for months, waiting for the Commission to present the 2040 climate targets agreed last term. Turns out, we had reason to worry. Rumours say that while the 90% target remains, the EU executive seems open to “flexibilities” that could weaken real climate action. Non-linear emissions, allowing for steeper cuts later in the 2040 path, would delay urgent cuts this decade. Allowing countries to buy reductions from abroad would undermine the EU’s push for climate neutrality at home. These aren’t flexibilities – they’re loopholes. The EU must stick to the Green Deal and stay true to its climate commitments.
FINLAND POWERS PAST COAL – Finland is set to phase out coal four years ahead of schedule, thanks to a rapid expansion of wind power. With wind energy now supplying a quarter of the country’s electricity, the closure of Helsinki’s Salmisaari coal plant this week marks the near end of coal power – now making up less than 1% of the energy mix. The transition is not just cutting emissions but also lowering energy bills and boosting energy independence. A clear signal: bold policies and renewables can drive a fast, clean, and cost-effective energy shift.
SLAPP AWARDS – Roll out the red carpet! Next Tuesday, April 8, the CASE Coalition – of which the EEB is a proud member – will be putting legal bullies in the spotlight at its annual European SLAPP Awards – a night of satire and silliness in the face of those using lawsuits to try to silence activists and journalists. Tune in to the livestream and discover in real time who gets to take home the (dis)honours this year! Want to have a hand in choosing this year’s winners? Vote now for one of the 15 shortlisted nominees in the People’s Choice Award.
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By: Alberto Vela. Special thanks to the EEB’s editorial team: Ben Snelson, Ruby Silk and Roi Gomez. Editor: Christian Skrivervik
