And… we’re back! Last week we unplugged in solidarity with those on the Iberian Peninsula experiencing history’s most epic power outage, in observation of Labour Day, and to take to the streets to alongside the tens of thousands of NGO workers, union members and citizens opposing the Belgian government’s harmful austerity plans. But it takes more than that to keep us away from European environmental policy developments – and even more to stop us from sharing the latest with you, our loyal readers. (Also, let’s be honest, we’ve officially run out of excuses…) So here we are!
This week, we have plenty to share, so if you’re basking under the same balmy sun as we are, we suggest you turn your screen brightness up and tilt yourself upright for the next five minutes.
🇪🇺 EUROPEAN RECKONING
EUROPE AT A CROSSROADS – Today marks 75 years since the birth of the European Coal and Steel Community – the seed of the European Union we know today. Additionally, yesterday marked 80 years since the end of the Second World War. But looking ahead, never has the future looked so uncertain. Europe faces a choice: continue investing in fossil fuels and repeating the patterns that spark global conflict, or boldly embrace the green transition and provide an agenda of hope. Read our think piece on the emerging new world order and Europe’s choice (but first, make yourself a cup of tea – it’s a long read!)
EUROPE UNITED – If you happen to be in Brussels, join us in celebration of – or rather the continuation of – the values at the root of it all: peace, democracy, solidarity and unity. This afternoon, join citizens, policy-makers, artists, activists, and students in Brussels’ Grand Place to reflect on what connects us, with debates and music.
🎟️ YOUR PASS TO THE EP PLENARY
RDV IN STRASBOURG – MEPs gathered this week for plenary debates and votes on several issues, including the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the Habitats Directive, the Water Resilience Strategy and the 2023 Budget Discharge Report, which would be decisive in the context of recent shameless attacks on NGO funding.
PARLIAMENT PUTS AN END TO THE ‘SCANDAL THAT WASN’T’ – In a decisive vote on the 2023 Budget Discharge Report (“Herbst Report”), the EU Parliament explicitly affirmed the legality and legitimacy of NGO funding under the LIFE programme, effectively putting an end to months of politically driven attacks on civil society.
The vote confirmed what we (along with 600 other CSOs) have been saying all along: civil society is a cornerstone of European democracy, and attempts to undermine it are a direct threat to democratic integrity.
With the backing of the EU Commission and the European Court of Auditors, it is now crystal clear: there is no scandal. There never was. And any further push on this Trumpian agenda is politically and procedurally absurd.
THERE’S MORE! While non-binding, the EU Parliament adopted its own-initiative report on the post-2027 multiannual financial framework, reaffirming the fact “that the Union budget is an essential contributor to achieving climate neutrality by 2050” and calling “for increased directly managed support for environment and biodiversity protection and climate action, building on the current LIFE programme.”
Gewürztraminer all round? Just kidding – we’ll be getting back to the real work of solving the triple planetary crisis…
🤦♂️ PLENARY FLOPS
Sadly, not all the meeting’s outcomes were so welcome.
WATERED-DOWN RESILIENCE – Despite Europe’s deepening water crisis, conservative and far-right MEPs voted to dilute the Commission’s draft Water Resilience Strategy. They downplayed Nature-based Solutions and weakened key protections. But as we and our partners stress, we cannot fix broken water systems without working with nature. Ahead of the 4 June strategy launch, the Commission must lead with courage – for the future of Europe’s water, environment, and people.
WOLF DOWN – In a shameful betrayal of science and biodiversity, the EP also voted to weaken protections for wolves under the EU Habitats Directive. The outcome endorses the Commission’s controversial and unscientific proposal, following last year’s decision to downlist the species under the Bern Convention — a step conservationists say opens the door to attacks on other species and threatens to undo decades of ecological recovery.
LET’S BE CLEAR – While its protection status has been lowered, the wolf remains a protected species. Disturbing reports from some of our members suggest that this change is being misread by some as a green light for open season on wolves.
#HANDSOFFNATURE – While the rest of the Habitats Directive scraped through Plenary unharmed, the downgrading sets a precedent which means other species are only safe for now. The real battle to protect our precious nature and wildlife seems to be only just beginning, and we can’t afford to forget – we can’t live without it.
🗞️ IN OTHER NEWS
SMART-CASUAL – On 29 April, we joined the Informal Meeting of Environment Ministers in Warsaw. Our Secretary General, Patrick ten Brink, took the opportunity to highlight the growing threat of disinformation campaigns targeting civil society and emphasised the urgent need to respond with facts, transparency, and decisive action. These campaigns are not random: they are part of a geopolitical playbook. It’s time to look at who is behind them and what interests they serve.
FOLLOW THE MONEY – Disinformation is a deliberate strategy to exhaust, confuse, and erode public trust. The goal of “flooding the zone” with constant lies is not to make people believe them all, but to make it impossible to believe anything at all. When the line between fact and fiction blurs, trust in experts, the press, institutions, and ultimately democracy, begins to unravel. On top of this, the “Spiral of Silence” is real, with the overwhelming global public support for fighting global warming (89%) being buried by a wave of mis- and disinformation. Who might this benefit?
🔌 QUITTING RUSSIAN JUICE
OLD HABITS DIE HARD – With EU countries still spending more on Russian fossil fuels than on supporting Ukraine, money continues to pour into the Kremlin’s war coffers. This week, Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen unveiled his plan to phase out Russian energy from the EU by 2027. The plans look wonderfully ambitious, but we see two key problems: how to get around countries that aren’t all that keen on phasing out Russian fossil fuels (looking at you, Hungary and Slovakia); and why are we swapping Russian fossil fuels for American gas?
HOMEMADE GREEN JUICE, PLEASE! We need accelerated renewable energy and energy efficiency measures taking centre stage in the Commission’s plans to remove our dependence on Russian energy resources, not doubling down on long-distance, unreliable, climate-wrecking fossil fuel imports.
🥖 À TABLE
IT’S A FOOD SYSTEM AFTER ALL – The EU Commission yesterday hosted a conference focused on “Shaping the future of farming and the agri-food sector”. But here’s the thing: just like its Vision for Agriculture and Food, the food part is missing! Demand doesn’t exist independently of supply, so if the EU is serious about providing farmers and fishers with decent livelihoods and ensuring affordable, healthy diets all on a thriving planet, then both ends of the food system must be tackled together. Speaking of food…
WE’RE TAKING STEPS ALREADY – As Denmark prepares to assume the EU Presidency in July 2025, the spotlight is shifting toward one of the most urgent opportunities in food and climate policy: protein diversification. From improving public health to strengthening strategic autonomy and reducing environmental impact, diversifying protein sources is key to building a more resilient and sustainable Europe. That’s why on 26 May, we’re bringing together farmers, policymakers, researchers, and civil society in Copenhagen (and online) to chart the path forward together. Join us!
UNITED FOR WATER PROTECTION – Micropollutants threaten ecosystems and public health. This week, alongside water utilities, local governments, civil society, and others, we called on President von der Leyen to uphold Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in the EU’s updated wastewater rules. EPR ensures polluters, like the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, contribute to the cost of cleaning up water pollution – something that would cost them less than 1% of profits (!), according to the Commission. This is about fairness and enforcing the Polluter Pays Principle, and delivering EU action to address water pollution, backed by 78% of Europeans.
SILVERLININGS
Happy Birthday, Sir David! Continuing our earlier theme of milestones, Sir David Attenborough is turning 99! To mark the occasion, he has released a film that critics say is his most powerful yet, drawing attention to the wonders of the ocean and the urgent need to protect it.
Afd officially beyond pale – It barely counts as good news, but these days, beggars can’t be choosers. German intelligence has classified the so-called “Alternative für Deutschland” party as extreme-right.
📢 ORGANISE
If you are not involved, get involved. Find a member organisation near you.
🚀 FOLLOW US
Don’t stay delulu, deal with the pollulu 🍃✨ Stay connected with us on LinkedIn, Bluesky, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Don’t miss out!
✨ SIGN UP
Stay informed. Subscribe to our Meta Newsletter for the latestEU green insider updates every Friday. By subscribing, you also get early access to our in-depth analysis of key EU environmental policy.
🤝 JOIN US
Work with us. We’re always looking for passionate individuals to strengthen our team. Could it be you? Explore our current vacancies on our website, and come make a difference with us!
By: Ruby Silk. Special thanks to the EEB’s editorial team: Alberto Vela, Ben Snelson and Roi Gomez. Editor: Christian Skrivervik
