Council presidency’s budget proposal offers modest progress for climate and nature funding
The Cyprus Council Presidency’s new EU budget proposal is a positive first step for Europe’s energy security and climate resilience, but it is not enough to end its costly dependence on fossil fuels, restore nature, and ensure economic stability.
The text presented to Member States today proposes dedicating 35% of the next EU budget to climate and environmental priorities, aligning with the Commission’s original budget proposal. WWF calls for a spending target of at least 50% for climate and environment spending, including 10% for biodiversity.
“Putting a concrete number on the table is a welcome step forward. It shows that at this early stage in the negotiations, there is already consensus among leaders to dedicate at least 35% of the budget to climate and environment,” said Carl Richter, EU Budget and Public Finance Policy Officer at WWF EU.
Set out in the latest “Negobox”, a draft compromise text used by the Council Presidency to steer budget negotiations, the proposal will be at the center of EU leaders’ discussions at the 18–19 June summit, with the aim of unlocking Member States’ agreement on the EU’s next long-term budget, which will cover the period 2028–2034.
Despite the progress, the proposed 35% target remains well below the level of investments needed to deliver on a secure, climate-resilient and nature-positive Europe. “We are already paying the price of inaction through deadly heatwaves, devastating floods, economic instability, and soaring energy costs. Leaders must now raise the ambition,” added Carl Richter. “At least 50% of the next EU budget should be climate and environment spending, including a dedicated 10% target for biodiversity”.
The compromise proposal also fails to include earmarked funding for LIFE projects, the EU’s only dedicated instrument for environment, nature and climate action. An absence of earmarked funding risks weakening one of the most effective tools for delivering results on the ground, from restoring nature to supporting clean energy solutions. WWF calls for the Council to follow the European Parliament’s position to secure a clear, ring-fenced LIFE budget.
Notes to the editor:
EU heads of state and government will discuss the next EU budget at the European Council summit on 18-19 June.
Ahead of this, European Affairs Ministers are expected to sign off on a Council position covering various technical elements of the budget architecture during their meeting on 16 June. This agreement will cover both the so-called National and Regional Partnership Plans, as well as the European Competitiveness Fund and is known as a partial general approach.
Crucially, politically sensitive issues, including the climate and environment spending target and earmarked funding for LIFE, are not covered by this ministerial agreement and are instead agreed upon by the European Council.