Climate spending welcome but budget not large enough for Europe’s needs
MFF
Today, the European Commission has just presented its proposal for the EU’s long-term budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the years 2028-2035. The Commission did not share the proposal with the Parliament ahead of its presentation of the MFF proposal, despite statements to the contrary made in the Conference of Presidents.
Rasmus Nordqvist MEP, Greens/EFA Group shadow rapporteur for MFF in the BUDG Committee, comments:
“The level of climate action, mitigation and disaster prevention the EU can achieve in the coming decades will be an existential test for the EU. We need an MFF that matches up to our climate ambitions and enables the EU to meet our climate targets, while embracing the do no significant harm principle. This proposal will see 35 percent climate resilience and environment spending ring fenced, thanks to our efforts, which is an increase from the last MFF. This will give the MFF the chance to contribute to climate and nature friendly solutions across all funds and we need to ensure that this is followed through without greenwashing.
“From the security situation to the climate crisis the EU faces enormous challenges and needs the ability to act, but the MFF proposal is too small and amounts to an insignificant increase, if any, on policy spending. In the same way we wouldn’t expect Denmark to solve all of Europe’s problems, we cannot expect a budget the size of Denmark’s to tackle the problems we face.
“The crisis in biodiversity will only deepen as long as we don't take action. It is irresponsible and shortsighted for this proposal to end the LIFE programme and leave out funding for biodiversity. That’s why we are calling for dedicated funding for nature to ensure that the EU and Member States meet their obligations under the Nature Restoration Law.
“The MFF needs to enable civil society actors to participate effectively in EU-level policymaking. It is essential to safeguard the right of everyone to meaningful participation in decision-making processes and the full cycle of implementation of the EU budget.’’
Rasmus Andresen MEP, Greens/EFA shadow rapporteur for Own Resources in the BUDG Committee, comments:
“It’s welcome that the Commission has come out with a strong package on Own Resources. However, this was a wasted opportunity for a Digital Services Tax and a tax on financial speculation and crypto currencies to be included as sources of own resources for the EU. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises are paying higher taxes than the big tech companies. It’s time for the tech bros to pay their fair share. We will fight for Big Tech to be included in the levy for the big corporations.
“The EU needs an ambitious Own Resources package that will allow for the financing of current and new priorities, as well as sustainable debt repayments, without which we risk cutting the budget by twenty percent.
"The EU should address the needs of people in Europe. The MFF should improve ordinary people's lives, for example by supporting affordable housing and fighting poverty. The current proposal doesn‘t live up to that.“
