EU urged not to roll back green agenda ahead of summit to revive economy

Climate campaigners warned EU leaders not to weaken green policies ahead of a summit on reviving the bloc's economy, saying deregulation would not address industry pressures; the European Commission has proposed omnibus deregulation measures while a thinktank found many reform recommendations remain unimplemented.

Campaigners from the Climate Action Network urged EU leaders not to water down green and environmental rules before a summit aimed at reviving the bloc's economy. They said current pressures on industry are linked to high energy costs, ageing assets and global market dynamics rather than environmental regulation. The European Commission has put forward a set of omnibus proposals to loosen rules across several sectors. EU leaders are due to meet in eastern Belgium on Thursday, and the Commission president will meet industry representatives in Antwerp the day before. Key facts: - The Climate Action Network, a pan‑European NGO group, warned that deregulation would not resolve the challenges facing energy‑intensive industries. - The European Commission has proposed 10 omnibus measures to ease regulation in sectors such as automotive, digital, defence, chemicals and farming. - The European Policy Innovation Council reported that only about 15% of Mario Draghi's 2024 reform recommendations have been implemented, with almost two‑thirds still in progress or not implemented. - EU leaders will discuss strengthening the single market at a summit in a chateau in eastern Belgium on Thursday, while Ursula von der Leyen will meet industry leaders in Antwerp a day earlier. Summary: Campaigners say weakening environmental rules risks undermining carbon‑pricing signals and the case for low‑carbon industrial investment. The commission's deregulation proposals and the thinktank's finding of slow reform progress set the context for upcoming meetings in Belgium and Antwerp, where leaders and officials will address these competing priorities.