Senior energy and environment reporter Robert Hodgson highlights key events for the upcoming week, including a European Commission conference on the role of the EU budget and negotiations on the Green Claims Directive within the EU Council. The conference will feature interventions from prominent figures such as IMF and EIB Presidents, as well as Polish and Belgian Prime Ministers. The focus is on how companies plan to achieve ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions, with a shift to renewable energy and carbon offsetting being common strategies. However, recent legislation has outlawed offset-based assertions of climate friendliness under the ’empowering consumers’ directive.
The Green Claims Directive aims to regulate company-level declarations of shrinking carbon footprints, with MEPs advocating for strict rules on the use of outsourced offsetting. Member states are currently formulating a joint position on the proposal, with Belgium hoping to broker an inter-governmental agreement before its EU Council presidency ends. Diplomatic discussions are expected to focus on carbon credit use and verification procedures, with concerns raised by green groups about potential exemptions from scrutiny. A compromise proposal is being developed, with the goal of reaching a ‘general approach’ before the end of Belgium’s mandate.
In a separate development, MEP Maximilian Krah from the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) continues to lead his party’s list for the upcoming European elections despite the arrest of his accredited assistant on charges of spying for China. This comes amidst concerns within the party about a shift towards the far right, with several MEPs leaving their original parties over the course of the legislature. The policy poll question highlights the debate over whether the 10th elected EU Parliament legislature should sit in Brussels alone or in both Brussels and Strasbourg.
Overall, the focus of the coming week in the EU will be on key events such as the European Commission conference and negotiations on the Green Claims Directive. Companies are under scrutiny for their plans to achieve ‘net zero’ greenhouse gas emissions, with emphasis on renewable energy and carbon offsetting. The Green Claims Directive aims to regulate company-level declarations of shrinking carbon footprints, with discussions ongoing among member states to reach a joint position. Meanwhile, the far-right party AfD faces internal challenges as MEP Maximilian Krah leads the party’s list despite a recent scandal involving his assistant. The policy poll reflects ongoing discussions around the location of the EU Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg.
