First-hand Insights into European Climate Policy 

More than 20 policymakers, experts and civil society representatives to talk to, two walking tours, eight meeting sessions at the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and other institutions: After the three-day EUKI Academy Study Tour in Brussels, co-organised by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), the participants from 11 countries were up to date on many climate policy issues. Although Member States are at different stages of the climate neutrality pathway and their political, economic and social circumstances vary, the participants found that they face many comparable challenges and have to address similar questions: How can sensitive issues such as wind energy acceleration areas be communicated effectively? What can be done to ensure that revenues from carbon pricing reach those most in need? 

In their work, many participants are witnessing shrinking spaces for civil society in their countries. Corina Murafa, a member of the EESC, agreed during a panel discussion at the EESC: “Civic space is under growing pressure across the EU. From restrictive legal frameworks and ‘foreign agent’ narratives to strategic lawsuits against public participation and chronic underfunding, civil society actors are increasingly being targeted.” Faustine Bas-Defossez from the EEB therefore called for civil society organisations to unite in their efforts to counteract this development. 

Another lesson learned during the study tour: Climate policy ambitions are currently being deprioritised in favour of issues like economic competitiveness, as demonstrated by the Omnibus processes for “simplification”. Luke Haywood from the EEB said: “The narrative is shifting. It’s no longer just about what industry can do for the climate – but what climate policy can do for industrial competitiveness.” Inputs from the Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe and the Association Négawatt, however, showed that technologies such as hydrogen, nuclear and carbon capture are in many cases not economically feasible, despite persistent opposing narratives, and are unlikely to be scaled up fast enough. 

A discussion with Members of the European Parliament on renewables in rural areas revealed the diversity of perspectives: While MEP Christina Guarda from the Greens called for dialogue with the public and the provision of financial incentives to accelerate renewables in rural areas, Martin Hojsík from the Renew Europe parliamentary group also urged the European Commission to push national governments to address the issue. 

The study tour agenda also addressed the current state of the new EU Emissions Trading System (ETS2), the national processes around National Social Climate Plans (NSCPs), and country-specific challenges in their implementation. Participants stressed the need for better consultation in the development of the NSCPs. They agreed that the Social Climate Fund offers valuable potential to support vulnerable households, but that resistance to ETS2 and the current Omnibus processes pose risks that may undermine existing climate measures. 

Magdalena Makar from ODRAZ – Sustainable Community Development in Croatia found the study tour extremely beneficial: “It was very helpful to get insights into what the EU is working on and to understand the processes behind it. All of this reaches our national level.” Dr Boris Valach from the Slovak Association of Sustainable Energy (SAPI) valued the opportunity to network with colleagues from other countries and with Brussels-based actors like Members of the European Parliament and civil society organisations. From a more political perspective, Jakob Dietachmair from the CIPRA International Lab in Austria emphasised the value of this international exchange at a time when opposition to climate action is growing all over Europe. 

Over the three days, the participants formed stronger networks and filled their own task lists with new ideas, inspired by policymakers, researchers and civil society representatives. In turn, they shared their expertise and experience with the Brussels-based European climate policy community on issues such as flexible funding, stronger safeguards to ensure a just transition and clearer communication.