In the past five years, the European Union’s leaders have aimed to position the bloc as a global leader in climate action. Significant strides have been made, including a legally binding commitment to reduce emissions by over half by 2030, a 2035 deadline for new gas-powered car sales, and expanded industry emission costs.
However, recent elections have put these green initiatives to the test, writes the Financial Times. In 2019, the EU’s parliamentary elections saw a surge in youth-led climate activism, transforming the vote into a referendum on environmental policies. This momentum fueled the European Green Deal and set ambitious targets for net-zero emissions by 2050, alongside comprehensive nature restoration laws.
Fast forward to the present, and the political landscape has shifted. An anti-environment backlash, driven largely by fossil fuel interests, threatens to undermine these policies. Polls indicate that populist, right-wing, and nationalist parties, which oppose swift climate action, are poised to gain more seats in the upcoming EU parliamentary elections from June 6-9, writes Inside Climate News.
Ariel Brunner, director of BirdLife Europe, warned in a comment to the latter one that a strong far-right presence could result in significant setbacks for environmental legislation. “It’s exactly the same as in the U.S.,” Brunner said, expressing concerns over potential deregulation and decreased funding for environmental programs.
Already, right-wing governments in individual EU countries have enacted laws countering climate initiatives. France’s recent agricultural law aims to protect traditional farming practices, which are detrimental to the environment, while Italy has banned meat alternatives.
In a comment for the Inside Climate News Laura Horn, a political economist at Roskilde University, highlighted the growing influence of populism across Europe, too. According to her, at a recent conference in Brussels, a think tank linked to Hungary’s right-wing government criticized the EU’s net-zero goals, reflecting a broader trend of stigmatizing climate policies.
This political shift mirrors similar movements globally, with populist and nationalist parties gaining traction in countries like Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden. These parties often draw support from fossil fuel industries and employ disinformation campaigns to sway public opinion against climate action, writes CNN.
As Europe faces critical national elections this year, the stakes for global climate policy are high. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change emphasizes the need for increased climate action to meet the Paris Agreement’s targets. However, the rising tide of populism threatens to reverse progress and weaken international environmental collaboration.
Thousands of protesters in Amsterdam recently rallied against subsidies for fossil fuel industries, underscoring the public’s demand for stronger climate policies. Yet, the influence of right-wing ideologies, bolstered by substantial funding from fossil fuel interests, continues to challenge these efforts.
The upcoming elections will test Europe’s resolve to maintain its leadership in climate action amidst a growing wave of populism and nationalism. The outcome will not only shape the future of EU policies but also have significant implications for global efforts to combat climate change.
