ECR Working Group on the Reform of the European Green Deal

We believe that the European Green Deal and the Fit for 55 package have imposed excessive costs on European industry, agriculture and households, while undermining Europe’s competitiveness.

We therefore call for a comprehensive revision of the Green Deal, with a clear focus on simplification, competitiveness and technological neutrality.

Our priority: stopping ETS2

Our immediate priority is to stop ETS2, the extension of the EU Emissions Trading System to road transport and buildings.

We consider ETS2 one of the most harmful elements of the Green Deal. It will increase fuel and heating costs for households, impose new burdens on transport and small businesses, and further weaken the competitiveness of European industry.

We therefore demand at least a suspension of ETS2, and ultimately its repeal.

Competitiveness first

The conclusions of the Draghi Report confirm what we have argued from the beginning: Europe cannot pursue climate ambitions at the expense of economic strength.

We demand that every climate-related proposal be assessed against its impact on competitiveness, jobs, energy prices and industrial production. The EU must reduce regulatory burdens, simplify existing legislation and stop introducing new obligations without a full economic assessment.

What we want to change

We call for a revision or repeal of the most damaging parts of the Green Deal and Fit for 55, in particular:

• ETS2 for transport and buildings;

• the 2035 ban on new internal combustion engine vehicles;

• excessive CO2 standards for cars and heavy-duty vehicles;

• overly costly renovation and energy-efficiency obligations for buildings;

• burdensome ESG, sustainability reporting and due diligence rules;

• excessive restrictions affecting farmers, land use and food production.

Protecting Europe’s automotive industry

We oppose the 2035 ban on internal combustion engine vehicles. We believe that this policy threatens Europe’s automotive sector, destroys jobs and increases Europe’s dependence on imported batteries and technologies.

We support full technological neutrality. Europe must continue to allow modern combustion engines, e-fuels, biofuels and other low-emission technologies alongside electric vehicles.

We reject the idea that Europe should regulate its own automotive industry out of existence while competitors in Asia actively support theirs.

Forestry, LULUCF and nature restoration

We also call for a revision of the LULUCF targets on carbon removals. The current targets are unrealistic and fail to reflect the actual condition of Europe’s forests, which are increasingly affected by drought, fires, pests and other natural pressures. We demand greater flexibility for Member States and recognition that active forest management is part of climate policy, not an obstacle to it.

We will closely monitor the implementation of the Nature Restoration Regulation and oppose any measures that reduce the competitiveness of rural areas, forestry or farming.

Environmental policy cannot result in large areas of productive land being removed from use, lower profitability for farmers and foresters, or greater dependence on imports from outside Europe.

Agriculture and rural areas

We believe that agriculture must not become the main victim of the Green Deal.

We therefore call for:

• a simpler Common Agricultural Policy;

• the rejection of any attempt to make direct payments conditional on additional environmental requirements;

• a separate and independent budget for the Common Agricultural Policy;

• greater flexibility for Member States to adapt environmental rules to national conditions;

• fewer restrictions on fertilisers, crop protection products and land use.

Environmental obligations should be voluntary and fully compensated, not imposed on farmers without regard for their economic situation.

As the ECR Working Group, we believe that Europe needs a climate policy that is realistic, affordable and compatible with economic growth. We want EU policies that strengthen, rather than weaken, Europe’s industry, agriculture, energy security and competitiveness.