Spring has sprung in Brussels: the roses are pink, the tape is red (cue the snip-snip of EU scissors), and people are free to be their fabulous selves. This weekend, the EU capital bursts with colour and joy for LGBTI Pride. But this isn’t just another celebration. It comes as Hungary’s government pushes through a draconian law banning all LGBTI events – a shameless attack on fundamental rights and freedoms and a harrowing symptom of the democratic backsliding we are seeing in a number of Member States. Now more than ever, we must take to the streets to defend our hard-won rights. This edition is dedicated to Hungary’s bold and brilliant civil society, standing tall against repression and hypocrisy.
Back at EEB headquarters, it’s all hands (and feet) on deck as we push back against a wave of deregulation sweeping through EU policymaking. Evidence? Often ignored. Corporate lobbyists? Singing loudly. In this issue, we unpack the latest twists in the EU’s so-called ‘simplification’ drive: from finance to chemicals and agriculture. As if EU rules were not life-saving essentials in these sectors.
Let’s dive in. 🌱✊🌈
💢 BANKS AGAINST DEREGULATION
FRANKFURT SLAMS BRUSSELS – The European Central Bank (ECB) has joined the growing chorus of voices warning the EU not to shoot itself in the foot with its “simplification” crusade. The Commission’s plan to water down corporate sustainability reporting rules, exempting most companies and smaller banks from climate reporting, would create major information gaps, undermining climate risk assessments, and jeopardise efforts to green the financial system, the ECB warned.
The push to “cut red tape” is raising serious concerns; not just among NGOs, but from the very institutions meant to safeguard economic stability. This move could disrupt the ECB’s ability to assess financial risks tied to climate change, while also increasing the risk of greenwashing.
☣️ CHEMICALS: DAVID VS GOLIATH
AN UNEVEN DUEL – Another high-level “strategic dialogue” took place this week, this time on chemicals. Around the table? One environmental NGO (that’s us), one consumer group (BEUC), and one union (ETUC) – against fifteen chemical industry heavyweights. Spoiler: We didn’t go down quietly.
THE GOOD – President von der Leyen herself chaired the meeting and made one thing clear: “The status quo will not be the future. We must be at the forefront”. While industry voices once again called for subsidies, deregulation, and cheaper energy, the Commission held the line, reaffirming the Green Deal as its compass. And rightly so: von der Leyen pointed to homegrown renewables as the real path to affordable energy and industrial competitiveness.
THE UGLY TRUTH – Europe’s chemical sector is a pollution titan, and its transformation must go far beyond energy. A toxic-free, circular, climate-safe chemicals industry is the only future worth backing. That means stronger rules, full transparency, and serious innovation. We need to stop taking decades to regulate what takes weeks to sell. More in our press release.
BLOOD, PLASTIC, AND PROFITS – With PFAS in our blood and microplastics in our lungs, it’s time for a REACH revision that protects people, not polluters. The idea that regulation hurts competitiveness? Please. The EU chemicals sector hit a record €872 billion in 2022 and remains the world’s top exporter. The real threat? Falling behind on safety and innovation. The next few weeks will decide if the EU leads on clean chemistry or loses the plot. Stay tuned.
🌾 AGRI: SIMPLIFY OR NULLIFY?
DÉJÀ VU – The European Commission is at it again. With no proper impact assessment and zero real public consultation, the last few green measures in the EU’s biggest budget – the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) – have just taken another hit. This marks the second major “simplification” in just over a year, and it’s anything but harmless.
A SLAP IN THE FACE – The move contradicts the Commission’s own Strategic Dialogue (a process they call a success), where farmers’ unions, consumer groups, industry actors and civil society (including us) reached a historic consensus. Among their key recommendations? Advance the green transition in the sector. Instead, the Commission is doing the opposite, weakening already fragile environmental safeguards at a time when farmers need nature on their side more than ever.
👉 More in our press release.
CAP, WHAT’S THE POINT? – Let’s be frank: by eroding CAP’s climate and nature credibility, the Commission risks delegitimising the entire policy. At a time when farmers urgently need support to adapt to a rapidly changing environment, the EU is instead giving in to short-term pressure at the expense of long-term resilience. “Public money for public goods” shouldn’t be a slogan; it should be the standard.
IN OTHER NEWS
🌊Valencia flood survivors call for more climate action – This week in Brussels, victims’ associations from the deadly floods in Valencia called out local authorities for negligence and climate denial. “Our loved ones died not by chance, but because those in power ignored the climate crisis,” they told EU leaders. While President von der Leyen pledged solidarity and support, the tragedy is a stark reminder: failing to act on climate isn’t neutral; it costs lives.
⚡Omnibus incoming: EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen has announced a new “simplification package” to speed up permits for renewable energy. The goal? Help wind and solar projects get off the ground faster. But there’s an awkward twist: the changes might touch on rules that protect birds and nature, sparking delicate debates. Jørgensen insists the Energy Efficiency Directive is not up for grabs and dismissed rumours that EU methane rules would be watered down to favour US gas deals. Eyes peeled.
📸 Behind the scenes of factory farming – This week, we launched our powerful online photo exhibition, Factory Farming: Unveiling the Hidden Costs. First shown in the European Parliament, the exhibition features the work of 12 photojournalists across 14 EU countries, exposing the cruelty, environmental damage, and public health risks linked to industrial animal farming. The images speak for themselves – now it’s time for the Commission to act. Let’s update EU animal welfare laws and #EndTheCageAge.
🔥Win against toxic chemicals! The EU has just voted to ban PFAS, the so-called “forever chemicals”, in firefighting foam. A major step for health and the environment. PFAS-free alternatives already exist, so there’s no excuse. Now we need a full ban on all uses — for good.
📢 NGOs say NO to austerity madness in Belgium! On 22 May, we’re joining the Belgian trade union strike for the non-profit sector. Together with 100+ NGOs and the Fair CSOs coalition, we say NO to the Arizona coalition’s €22 billion austerity plans. These brutal cuts threaten essential services and environmental action – while backing dangerous techno-fixes like nuclear. Sign the open letter and march with us at 10 am from Gare du Nord. This fight is for all of us. ✊
🏃 From Serbia to Brussels – After nearly 2,000 km on foot, 21 Serbian students arrived in Brussels as part of an ultramarathon honouring the 16 victims of a deadly awning collapse in Novi Sad. What began as a tribute became a powerful call for accountability, youth empowerment, and EU engagement. We stand firmly with Serbia’s youth and their courageous mobilisation against government corruption.
🏆 You win! – If you made it this far, that must mean you’re among our most committed readers – top prize? A chance to choose the new name for this very newsletter!
Change was in its very name: ‘Metamorphosis’ or more commonly ‘Meta’ has been the name of the EEB’s newsletter (though perhaps environmental-policy-news-digest is more accurate) for as long as any of us on the editorial desk can remember. Now, not wanting to be confused with a tech bro’s virtual empire, we’ve decided it is time for a change. (Our Meta stands for real-world transformation, not the metaverse.)
👀Keep an eye on our socials for opportunities to submit suggestions and vote on a final name.
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By: Alberto Vela. Special thanks to the EEB’s editorial team: Ruby Silk, Ben Snelson and Roi Gomez. Editor: Christian Skrivervik