We hope you’re well, wherever you are.
It’s been one hell of a week. Why? The EU’s just set out its plans for how it wants to spend our money up until 2034, and not everyone is happy about it – with pretty good reason. But it’s not all bad – as ever, there are morsels of hope to pick at, and a peppering of dopamine at the end to get your Friday off to a bright start!
Enjoy the read – and as always, if you’d like to get in touch, we’d love to hear from you 😊
💶 THE ‘MULTI-ANNUAL FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK’
THE 2-TRILLION-EURO QUESTION – It’s the talk of the town across the EU’s capitals. This week, the EU Commission published its proposal for the EU’s ‘Multi-annual Financial Framework’ (MFF) for 2028-2024. Weighing in at €1.8 trillion, this is a colossal funding instrument. How EU decision-makers choose to spend this public taxpayer cash has far-reaching implications for people, businesses, and the living planet we inhabit. We’ve been following closely, so you don’t have to.
WAIT… WHAT IS IT AGAIN? The Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) is the EU’s long-term (seven-year) budget plan. It sets the limits for how much the EU can spend and outlines how money is divided across key areas – like agriculture, regional development, climate action, biodiversity, research, etc. In short, it’s how the EU turns political priorities into funding realities. Here’s our take on what’s happened – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
🚨 ATTACK ON ‘LIFE’: BUDGET FOR NATURE AND CLIMATE SLASHED
“A long-term budget based on short-term thinking is a dangerous mistake” – Patrick ten Brink, Secretary General, EEB.
CUTTING LIFE SHORT – The EU Commission proposes to repeal and fold part of the LIFE Programme – the EU’s only dedicated fund for nature, climate and the environment – into a vague new ‘European Competitiveness Fund’. By narrowing its focus to industrial policy and short-term economic goals, it’s weakening one of the EU’s most effective and cost-efficient tools, just when it’s needed most. That’s why we’ve called it a LIFE-threatening budget.
WRONG CUTS, WRONG TIME – This comes as funding for climate and nature already falls far short of what’s needed, with a €520 billion gap by 2030. The Commission’s own review shows Member States are failing to meet existing environmental obligations – yet instead of strengthening LIFE, as Parliament has repeatedly called for, the Commission is quietly dismantling it through budget lines.
ROLLBACK IN DISGUISE – Civil society groups, including the EEB, warn that this move could limit cross-border cooperation, weaken enforcement of EU law, and leave local projects stranded. It also risks civil society funding, which has been actively edited out of the proposal! The threat is real, and exactly why we’ve seen escalating attacks on NGOs and independent media this year. Certain political forces are working hard to fabricate scandals around public funding – not because they want transparency, but because they fear scrutiny, science, plurality, democracy and those speaking truth to power.
KEEP LIFE ALIVE – For over 30 years, LIFE has restored habitats, saved species, created green jobs and helped uphold EU law. Every euro spent delivers real returns for people and planet. This is no time to bury it. Member States and MEPs must defend LIFE as a standalone, ring-fenced programme – and make sure at least 50% of the next EU budget backs real action on climate, nature and pollution. But it’s not just LIFE on the line…
👩🌾 NOT A VERY ‘COMMON’ COMMON AGRICULTURAL POLICY…
NICE WORDS FOR NATURE – BUT NO MONEY FOR IT… The EU Commission’s new CAP funding proposal keeps environmental ambition in its rhetoric but strips it of real financial backing. Without ringfenced funding, environmental targets are left adrift – and by handing Member States wide leeway to define environmental conditions, the proposal risks a regulatory race to the bottom and a fragmented EU policy landscape. The ‘Common Agricultural Policy’ is starting to look more like a ‘Completely Uncoordinated Agricultural Free-for-All with No Nature Protections Policy’. Our take.
WHERE’S THE ACCOUNTABILITY? While some indicators on emissions and soil health show improvement, most still focus on mere participation in schemes rather than measurable environmental outcomes. This makes it nearly impossible to assess real progress – or ensure taxpayer money is delivering results.
ON THE PLUS SIDE – A couple of reasons to be hopeful here: the proposal includes capping and gradually reducing direct payments. This is a socially fair measure that supports schemes for sustainable farming, rather than simply ploughing money into large farms, simply because they have a lot of land. Support for a just transition is, of course, welcome, though without dedicated funding, it risks falling flat. If the EU is serious about a green future, it must turn policy ambition into real, enforceable, and properly funded action.
💸 CRUNCHING NUMBERS: THE BIGGER PICTURE
WHERE’S THIS MONEY COMING FROM? Behind the headline figure lies a more sobering reality: much of the budget accounts for inflation and repayments from the post-COVID recovery fund, not fresh money for new priorities. With climate goals alone requiring €260 billion annually – and a broader green and social investment gap exceeding €520 billion – Europe needs more than a financial facelift. It needs real, additional investment in people, planet, and resilience.
THE FIGHT FOR A FAIRER ECONOMY – The EEB urges Member States and the EU Parliament to turn ambition into action by securing funding for climate, nature, social equity, and a fairer economy. Revenue will be key. We call for bolder EU financing through taxes on fossil fuel profits, extreme wealth, aviation, and financial transactions – measures that could raise up to €400 billion annually and ensure the green transition is funded fairly and effectively.
💧 HEATWAVE: TIME FOR A WATER BREAK
ACT NOW ON WATER POLLUTION – The EU is running out of time on water pollution. Nearly three years after the Commission proposed overdue updates to tackle PFAS, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals in our water, talks are still stalled. A broad coalition of environmental and health organisations, healthcare professionals, social partners, recreational fishing associations, and water-dependent businesses is urging the Danish EU Presidency to break the deadlock and deliver strong, enforceable standards now. Europe’s health and aquatic ecosystems can’t wait. By the way, 78% of Europeans already demand urgent EU-level action on this…
THE SECRET WEAPON TO PROTECT EUROPE’S WATER – From crippling droughts and deadly floods to pollution trashing ecosystems – as well as drinking and bathing water – the ill state of Europe’s water is no secret. A major driver is Europe’s failure to implement and enforce the EU’s own water protection rules: the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The WFD was designed to safeguard EU water resources and ensure all water bodies reach good status by 2027. Yet today, under 40% of surface waters meet that standard. The EU’s upcoming Water Resilience Strategy hinges on the WFD’s full application. See our latest joint briefing for why we need policymakers to act now.
HISTORIC WIN IN SPAIN – In a landmark ruling, a Spanish court has declared that failing to tackle water pollution from factory farming violates fundamental human rights. The decision, sparked by years of toxic contamination in the village of As Conchas, Galicia, sets a powerful precedent: authorities can and must be held accountable when environmental neglect puts public health at risk. This is a turning point for Europe – and a clear recognition that clean water is not just an environmental issue, but a fundamental human right.
📰 IN OTHER NEWS
🤝 DANISH EU PRESIDENCY – THE ROLE OF PROTEINS IN EU FOOD SYSTEMS – At the first talks between Member States’ agriculture ministers under Denmark’s EU Presidency, protein diversification took centre stage. Shifting to more sustainable protein sources is vital to build a food system that boosts farmer resilience, slashes €900 billion in health costs, and protects people and the planetary ecosystems we depend on. With strong consumer and business backing, Denmark’s leadership shows what’s possible. Over 130 organisations now call on the EU to follow through with a bold Plant-Based Action Plan. Check the blueprint. We’re looking forward to fruitful collaboration with Denmark throughout its six months at the EU’s helm.
☀️ WHAT’S HOLDING BACK RENEWABLES? – We’ve identified 10 barriers slowing down Europe’s renewables rollout. Spoiler: they have nothing to do with #RulesToProtect nature and wildlife. Our new paper shows the Commission’s plan to “simplify” environmental impact assessments by reopening the Birds and Habitats Directives (ripping up rules that protect nature) is not addressing a problem; in fact, it’s attacking a solution to the climate, nature and pollution polycrisis. Both industry and NGOs agree: what’s needed is not more legislative changes, but proper implementation of existing EU rules.
✊ WE SEE YOU, ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS! Working within the BeLIFE project, we asked over 90 environmental and climate defenders across Europe to share their experiences, the threats they face, and the support they need. Find out what they said! This is the first step in a wider effort to champion defenders’ rights and push for stronger protections across the EU. Do you know your environmental rights? BeLIFE’s new Environmental Rights Report breaks them down – especially for young people. It shows how EU citizens can access information, join decision-making, and seek justice. No time to read it all? Grab the summary, now in 6 languages!
📢 #SPEAKUPFORPAL3STINE
EU Foreign Ministers met this week to discuss the EU–Israel Association Agreement – a trade deal that remains in force despite overwhelming evidence of crimes against humanity and genocide in Palestine.
Despite widespread calls for suspension, Ministers chose to “keep a close watch”. No suspension. No action.
Amnesty International and others have confirmed that civilians are being bombed, starved, and denied aid – in violation of international law. The agreement’s Article 2 requires respect for human rights. That condition is clearly broken.
In response to the inaction, a group of international lawyers have filed a case against the Commission and Council under Article 265 TFEU – for failing to act on risks of genocide and documented crimes. They argue that the EU has both legal obligations and moral responsibility. The 2007 ICJ ruling in Bosnia vs Serbia makes it clear: actors with the power to prevent genocide have a duty to do so – whether or not they’re signatories to the Genocide Convention.
As Israel’s largest trading partner, the EU has the tools – and the duty – to act. Suspend the EU–Israel Agreement. Now. #SpeakUpForPalestine
🧠 THE DOPAMINE HIT
A weekly dose of good news to brighten your inbox:
— Solar is no longer alternative energy, it’s the new default. Read more here.
— New species of frogs have been discovered in the Peruvian Andes. Read more here
— Indigenous Amazonians win landmark ruling against mercury pollution in Colombia. Read more here
📢 ORGANISE
If you are not involved, get involved. Find a member organisation near you. Are you a journalist? Subscribe here to stay up to date on our latest EU environmental policy updates made specifically for 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 by email for the latestEU green insider updates every Friday morning and to support our work. By subscribing, you also get early access to our in-depth analysis of key EU environmental policy.
By: Ben Snelson. Special thanks to the EEB’s editorial team: Alberto Vela, Ruby Silk and Roi Gomez. Editor: Christian Skrivervik
