DEAR URSULA 💌
European Environmental Bureau
Europe’s largest network of environmental NGOs working for a better future where people and nature thrive together.
One month after the European elections and following last week's Council of the EU's nominations for the top jobs, the Union is taking the final steps to prepare for the next mandate. Next week, the newly elected Members of the EU Parliament will vote to elect the next Presidents of the EU Commission and the EU Parliament, as well as a host of other key positions. And while the political groups are busy negotiating who will get what, not everything is as straightforward as we might have assumed. There's some serious horse-trading going on behind the scenes...
DEAR URSULA 💌
A FOOT IN THE DOOR. The potential re-election of Ursula von der Leyen to the helm of the EU Commission for five more years will take place during the first EU Parliament plenary of the 2024 – 2029 mandate next week. Following various meetings with the different political groups, we will see if a majority of the newly elected policymakers in the EU Parliament have been persuaded when they cast their (secret) vote on July 18. If successful, von der Leyen will be tasked with shaping the policies of the Union until 2029.
During her first term, the Green Deal was her flagship initiative, bringing significant wins for people and nature. As we start this new political cycle, we need decisive leadership to address the triple climate, biodiversity, and pollution crisis.
BUT FIRST… Before the vote, von der Leyen will have to present her Political Guidelines to the EU Parliament, outlining her vision for EU Commission's priorities for this mandate. This is her last chance to persuade policymakers to vote for her candidacy. The upcoming Political Guidelines must reflect the urgency of our global societies' challenges to remain within planetary boundaries.
RUE DE LA LOI 200, 1049 BRUSSELS. Knowing her address, we sent a letter to von der Leyen urging her to commit to a green and social deal fit for a one-planet economy, should she be re-elected. It only makes sense since the European Pact for the Future builds on the successes of her flagship project - the Green Deal - and outlines the roadmap to drive the necessary changes our societies need to ensure a prosperous future for all. It is an agenda of hope that also aims to reconnect people to the European Project. Join the call!
HOUSE…. OF THE DRAGON? 🐉
MASTERS OF WHISPERS. As we wait to see if Greens or Blacks come out on top in the new season of the acclaimed show, change is also afoot in the other House. The negotiations between the Members of the EU Parliament to determine which groups get leading roles are at their peak. Although we will not know (for sure) the final composition until next week, we're keeping our ears open to the whispers around town. And there are many...
GAME OF THRONES. The configuration of EU Parliament committees, especially for top positions such as chairs and vice-chairs, will significantly impact what topics are prioritised in the next mandate. As the EU Parliament prepares for the next term, it is vital to have Protectors in most committees, regardless of political leanings. After all, action on the triple crisis will be needed, whether we like it or not. Check out our 2019-2024 Scoreboard to see who performed well on climate, biodiversity and pollution files in the last mandate. And who knows, we might make more scoreboards in the future...
NO KINGDOMS LEFT TO RULE...UNLESS. During the last term, tackling biodiversity loss and ecosystem destruction were key political priorities of the Green Deal. Despite the historic adoption of the Nature Restoration Law and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Agreement, the changing geopolitical landscape threatens to derail nature protection and restoration across the EU. Disinformation campaigns are framing nature legislation as an obstacle to food and energy security, but the truth is that calls for deregulation risk pushing nature and economies closer to collapse.
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MORE MONEY IN THE IRON BANK. The European Habitats Forum urges EU leaders to address the biodiversity loss by strengthening the Green Deal to achieve a nature-positive Europe by 2030. Nevertheless, funding gaps are hampering these efforts. Together with other civil society organisations, we outline three proposals to improve EU biodiversity funding, focusing on the post-2027 EU budget.
POISONING OUR WATER SUPPLY. This week, a brand new report revealed shocking news about the pollution of drinking water across Europe. The study, which collected tap water samples across eleven EU countries, detected trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) – a forever chemical used in pesticides – in 34 (!) of 36 samples. PFAS and synthetic pesticides are hugely toxic and harmful to our health and the environment. Yet, in the EU, there is no legal limit on how much TFA can be present in water supplies, all while this pollution is clearly high across Europe.
When water is already increasingly scarce, we need to be protecting this precious common resource, not polluting it further. Alongside numerous European environmental and health organisations, we call for an immediate ban on PFAS pesticides and F-gases to #SaveOurWater! Keen to read more about PFAS in drinking water? Check our report on the issue.
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WORK WITH US – The work continues, and we're always seeking new supporters. Could you be one of them? Check out our current vacancies on our website. At the EEB, we're committed to equal rights. For four years, we've contributed data to the FAIR SHARE monitor, assessing women's representation across all levels. In 2024, out of 95 organizations, we ranked 17th with a FAIR SHARE Index of 6.61, showing fair representation of women in our staff, management, and board roles.
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JOIN THE FUTURE: The European Pact for the Future sparks hope and courage, creates opportunities, and ensures wellbeing for everyone. It promotes sustainable competitiveness and drives transformative changes for a greener tomorrow. Check out the Pact and sign it if you haven't already.