To the EC president Von der Leyen It does not seem that he will continue in the line of his previous mandate, since although he has recognized the climate crisis suffered by the continent and the world and the biodiversity crisis, he has based solutions on future political pacts.
Despite recent promises to maintain the European Green Dealthe priorities recently presented by the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyento their future Commissioners they point out a departure from the great climate and environmental ambitions of the last mandateto focus more on competitiveness and industrialization.
An underlying principle of the new Von der Leyen Commission is ‘cooperation’ between Commissioners, reflecting the interconnected challenges facing Europe, including the climate and biodiversity crises. However, the practical functioning of this structure will depend on strong governance and the President’s leadership to ensure that critical files do not fall victim to political disputes.
The Green Pact does not seem a priority for Von der Leyen
Von der Leyen has clearly recognized that the climate emergency is a critical challengebut real progress will depend largely on the specific mandates of each Member State and its willingness to cooperate in the way it has envisioned.
In particular, we need more clarifications on the role of nature restoration and protectionespecially in the adaptation to climate change and water resilience, as well as greater attention to the implementation of key nature legislation, such as EU laws on deforestation and nature restoration.
By integrating energy and housing into a single portfolio, and insisting on the need for a just and green transition, Von der Leyen aims to reconcile the false dichotomy between social and climate measures.
He has also stressed the need for make the results of the Strategic Dialogue on Agriculture a realitywhich would involve strict implementation and enforcement of European nature legislation and dedicated funds to restore nature and support agri-environmental measures.
Close cooperation will be necessary in all areas and, in particular, between the Vice President of Just, Clean Transition and Competition of the European Commission, Teresa Ribera, and the Vice President of Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, Stéphane Séjourné. This would ensure that the boosting industrialization goes hand in hand with action for climate and naturein order to prepare our economy and industries for the future.
Leaving it in the hands of politicians to resolve issues that require strong advice from qualified technicians and specialists in the matter was never a good idea and Von der Leyen he knows it. Because it is evident that decisions are made based on economic interests, rather than seeking efficient solutions to the real problems facing the European Union.