On July 2, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee backed a stronger role for nature funding in the next EU budget, supporting a dedicated 10% biodiversity target on top of the broader 35% climate and environment spending goal. It also tightened the rules on what can count as green spending, aiming to exclude projects that do not deliver clear environmental benefits.
The committee rejected the Commission’s approach, which campaigners said risked sidelining biodiversity. WWF EU’s Carl Richter said MEPs had “corrected what the Commission got wrong,” arguing that funding for nature must be clearly ring-fenced if Europe is to become more climate-resilient.
The committee also backed a stricter methodology for tracking climate and environmental spending, saying projects such as airport expansions and new roads should not be counted toward the target. Richter called the earlier rules “nonsensical,” saying such projects do not qualify as climate spending.
Socialist MEPs and their allies are threatening to block the EU budget if the European People’s Party (EPP) dilutes environmental safeguards. The row comes amid wider political pressure over the massively increased 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, including Rassemblement National president and Patriots for Europe chair Jordan Bardella’s pledge to cut France’s contribution if elected.
