The future of the EU Green Deal

Today is a different and very special Plenary session in Strasbourg as it’s our very last one before the European elections on the 6th-9th of June.

In 4,5 years we’ve had quite a ride. In numbers: I’ve participated in 62 Plenary sessions, had 276 meetings with MEPs and groups of MEPs and we have invested countless hours in engaging with our European Parliament colleagues. And this has been very crucial because without this institution and without establishing excellent relations among our teams we would have never delivered the fundamental pillars of the European Green Deal.

I could not stress enough the importance of our debates which are essential to shape up European legislation based on democracy and on our European values that guide our daily work.

And today I am very proud because we just got positive votes on Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation. What we have on the table represents a balanced package of measures. This outcome of the negotiations will contribute significantly to reducing packaging waste and promoting the transition to a circular economy in the EU. It will also largely harmonize the conditions for placing packaging on the EU market.

We also received the Parliament’s support with a historic vote for our Oceans on the High Seas Treaty which will aim to protect and restore the world’s oceans. Today’s vote opens the way to the EU ratification and the wide consensus show the EU is fully behind it. Our next step now will be to bring along all our international counterparts to ratify it as fast as possible, a message I reiterated and reminded to global leaders at “Our Ocean” conference last week.

These are positive developments for our Green Deal but the road ahead includes noticeable challenges. Today, we debated with my colleagues the overall attacks on climate and nature policies and on the European Green Deal.

This is a very important conversation we must have and my message is very clear: The European Green Deal was designed as a growth and innovation strategy from the start, and it continues to be an essential driver for securing lasting prosperity.

The reason is evident: becoming more resource-efficient and energy independent makes Europe stronger in the face of geopolitical tensions and challenges such as energy market volatility, while preserving the results of decades of social development. Europe’s citizens and communities are increasingly exposed to natural disasters and health risks, and energy prices have soared because we were too dependent on energy from imported fossil fuels. Therefore, slowing down our efforts is not an option, as the cost of inaction would be disproportionately high compared to the investments needed to act.

We also have strong support from citizens. According to the 2023 Eurobarometer, 93% of Europeans believe climate change is a serious problem facing the world and over half think that the transition to a green economy should be sped up. So, we have a strong mandate to deliver and our work does not simply stop here.

These conversations are necessary ahead of the European elections. We need to keep addressing all concerns and stand up tall for the European Green Deal. Only last week, the European Council leaders, unanimously agreed that there is a need, and there is ground for a new European Competitiveness Deal. At the same time, they recognize that the Green Deal aims to ensure the competitiveness of Europe’s industry and increase its energy independence and resilience. I see this as the right path forward, one that will safeguard Europe’s future and place our Union at a favorable position.

A big thanks from the bottom of my heart to all Parliament colleagues for everything we have achieved together in the past 4,5 years. Our work continues and our focus will remain unchanged: delivering for our citizens, Europe’s economy and businesses.

 #EUGreenDeal