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Hello,
After
weeks of negotiations with
Member States, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen revealed
her nominees for the College of Commissioners this Tuesday. The 27
appointees, one from each EU country, will oversee key policy areas and
steer the Commission’s political leadership for the next five years.
The
final roster followed intense
negotiations and concerns about gender balance. The initial list had
just six women, but the final number increased to 11, still falling
short of the previous mandate’s balance. The next step is EU
Parliament approval. Together with other NGOs, we’ve prepared questions MEPs should be asking
the Commissioner-designates at the upcoming hearings. Meanwhile, in
this edition, we'll give you the EEB’s hot takes on von der
Leyen’s picks—prepare for a deep dive!
Before
diving in, however, the
damage to lives and health caused by the recent extreme weather events
and floods in Central and Eastern Europe serves as a stark reminder of
the urgency of tackling the climate, biodiversity, and pollution
crisis. While there is hope, time is running out. The next College of
Commissioners will have a key role to play at this critical moment, and
we are counting on them to take the urgent action needed to secure a
future where both people and nature can thrive together. Next week, the
EEB is launching its Action Plan to guide the
incoming Commissioners and decision-makers across Europe.
No, thank you! It has also come to our attention that Draghi’s
report, which was covered last week, claims the EEB was consulted as part of the
process. This was not the case—nor were other listed NGOs. While we requested
a meeting, it did not take place. We want to clarify that the EEB does
not endorse the report, and you can read our full reaction here. We have serious
concerns about his "simplification" agenda, which pitts
climate and environmental goals against each other.
🥘 NET-ZERO
PAELLA
Teresa Ribera (Spain): Executive Vice-President for the
Clean, Just and Competitive Transition. Acts as competition
commissioner - DG COMPT
HIGHEST QUALITY — Spain’s climate champion, Teresa Ribera, is set to become
the second-most influential figure in the Commission. Her new position
incorporates a blend of responsibilities—from EU competition to
decarbonisation. Ribera will oversee Energy, Environment, and Climate
Commissioners while driving Europe's clean industrial deal forward.
It's likely no one in the EU’s executive has previously held a position
with this much power. In a college leaning conservative, Ribera's
counterbalance will be crucial, and expectations couldn’t be
higher.
A BALANCED MEAL — Ribera's title may sound complex, but it speaks
volumes. Von der Leyen is counting on her to lead the EU towards a
cost-competitive, carbon-neutral future. She’ll be responsible for
setting the 2040 climate targets, reducing energy prices, revamping
taxation, and ensuring social equity—all while developing a new state
aid framework and enforcing competition rules. It’s a lot to juggle,
with intersecting interests at every turn, but at the EEB, we trust
Ribera has the skill and conviction to deliver.
SCIENCE-BASED — As a veteran climate advocate and skilled negotiator,
Ribera is well-prepared for the role. She understands that adding the
wrong ingredients—such as uncompetitive nuclear, hydrogen for heating,
or uncertain carbon capture plans—can spoil the recipe. We hope, as
she’s done before that she’ll involve civil society in this culinary
challenge. We’ll be paying close attention and are ready to lend a
hand in the kitchen.
🍷COQ
AU VIN
Stéphane Séjourné (France): Executive Vice-President for
Prosperity and Industrial Strategy - DG GROW
I NEED HANDS! The
former head of the Renew group in the EU Parliament and close ally of
Emmanuel Macron will be tasked with the monumental job of leading a
coordinated and coherent European industrial policy that works for all
Member States, people, and the planet.
WE GO HIGH — We
need a race to the top, not the bottom. It’s time to move beyond a
'winner-takes-all' mindset and embrace a collaborative model that
unites civil society, industry, and governments. We can build a
zero-pollution, toxic-free, resource-efficient, and decarbonised
European industry through unity and cooperation. This shared
vision is at the core of our Industrial
Blueprint and the European Pact
for the Future.
THE BUZZWORD — Séjourné should not see competitiveness as the end
game—people's wellbeing and the health of the planet are. We need
to fundamentally redefine competitiveness through the lens of
environmental sustainability, and we look forward to engaging with him
on what this means in practice. True competitiveness isn’t
about short-term economic gains but about embedding long-term
sustainability and building a resilient, future-proof economy.
Addressing the triple climate, biodiversity and pollution crisis must
be central to our competitiveness strategy—this is the key to ensuring
long-term prosperity and stability.
🥘
JUDD MAT
GAARDEBOUENEN
Christophe Hansen (Luxembourg): Agriculture and Food - DG
AGRI
SUNNY SIDE UP — A
minister for agriculture and food is a step in the right direction.
However, Hansen appears to be Commissioner of Food in name only, as the
mission letter shows a regrettable lack of focus on consumption-side
actions—contrary to both the Commission’s own scientific advice and the
recommendations of the Strategic Dialogue. On a positive
note, von der Leyen’s call to use the report to guide Hansen’s
work, especially regarding the future of the EU’s largest tool (and
budget!), the Common Agricultural Policy, is welcome. However, the
report is not a "pick and mix" of recommendations; it’s
a consensus that must be treated as a cohesive package, and Hansen must
approach it accordingly.
TOO MANY COOKS SPOIL THE BROTH — Placing the agriculture portfolio under the
oversight of the EVP for Cohesion and Reforms rather than the Green
Deal raises serious concerns. Agriculture is not only impacted by the
climate, nature, and pollution crises—it’s also a major contributor.
Prioritising a stronger social focus over environmental goals in agri
policy makes little sense, as climate change and environmental
degradation pose the greatest threats to farmers' livelihoods and our
future food security. Social and environmental goals must go hand in
hand!
🥔 STAMPPOT
Wopke Hoekstra
(Netherlands): Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth - DG CLIMA, DG
TAXUD
STIRRING THE POT — Before
entering public life, the Dutch politician worked for the oil giant
Shell and was a partner at the renowned consultancy McKinsey. Maybe now
Wopke can finally answer the age-old question: What does a consultant
actually do?
MARINATING — The new Commissioner-designate for Climate,
Net Zero, and Clean Growth seems poised to double down on the EU’s
green growth agenda, with a strong emphasis on industry. However, in
the rush to champion clean tech and decarbonisation, alternative
economic models that prioritise social and environmental goals appear
to be sidelined. Sectors like care, crucial to any sustainable
transition, are being overlooked. This narrow focus on industry risks
missing the opportunity to address broader social needs—the key to
achieving a truly just and inclusive green future.
🍖 STEGT FLÆSK
Dan Jørgensen (Denmark) - Commissioner for Energy and
Housing - DG ENER
LET HIM COOK — Pairing
energy and housing under one roof is a breath of fresh air for tackling
major socio-ecological challenges of buildings, particularly with
Jørgensen's profound understanding of the climate crisis. We especially
welcome the focus on addressing systemic issues that lead to the
inefficient use of building stock, where sufficiency policies can offer
a wealth of solutions.
🐟 SURSTRÖMMING
Jessika Roswall (Sweden): Commissioner for Environment,
Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy - DG ENVI
TASTY… ISN´T IT? As
one of the regions with the highest resource use per capita, Europe
must reduce its material footprint to ensure both global and
intergenerational justice. It is encouraging, therefore, that the
Commissioner for the Environment is moving towards incorporating the
Circular Economy into their portfolio.
SOMETHING IS
FISHY — However,
the EU Commission's mission letter for circular economy needs to pay
more attention to the EU waste hierarchy and the continent's rampant
overconsumption. This outdated approach limits circularity to waste
management and recycling while overlooking critical elements like
prevention, reuse, and repair. This narrow focus risks undermining the
broader benefits of a true circular economy, including its potential to
enhance competitiveness and drive sustainable economic growth.
KEEP THAT PASTA
WATER — The recent
devastating floods highlight how unprepared we are for the impacts of
climate change. Roswall has a crucial responsibility to protect and
restore Europe’s freshwater ecosystems to ensure a water-resilient
future that provides clean and sufficient water for generations to
come. This will require strict enforcement of existing environmental
laws, such as the Water Framework Directive, and a systemic approach to
addressing the root causes of the triple climate, biodiversity, and
pollution crisis.
🐰 STUFFAT TAL-FENEK
Glenn Micallef (Malta): Commissioner for Intergenerational
Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport - DG EAC
CAPTAIN COOK — For
the first time ever, the Commission has included a role with explicit
responsibility for intergenerational justice, which is what
we have been calling for. The mandate of participation and
foresight reflects many of the demands of civil society
through the Future Generations coalition.
WAIT WHAT?
However, with a wide-ranging portfolio that also includes Youth,
Culture and Sport and the absence of any mention of the climate or the
environment in the context of Future Generations, it remains to be seen
if the Commissioner can extend his focus beyond the young people of
tomorrow and establish a vision of true
sustainability.
🐷 BLACK PUDDING
Michael McGrath (Ireland)- Commissioner for Democracy,
Justice and the Rule of Law - DG JUST
A FULL PLATE —
Michael McGrath’s appointment as Commissioner for Justice and the Rule
of Law brings with it significant responsibilities, especially in
protecting democracy and upholding justice for 450 million EU citizens.
While his background is largely in finance, we hope he approaches this
mandate with society's broader interests in mind.
IN A PICKLE — The fact that the Justice section of his mandate
begins with the instruction to support companies’ growth with
simplified and harmonised rules certainly raised eyebrows at the
EEB. With his remit including foreign interference, SLAPPs, and civil
society protection, it remains to be seen how he will address these
critical issues, particularly the growing threats to environmental
defenders.
🍲 SARMALE
Roxana Mînzatu (Romania) - Executive Vice-President for
People, Skills and Preparedness, Commissioner for Skills, Education,
Quality Jobs and Social Rights - DG EMPL, DG EAC
WHAT'S IN THE SAUCE? The fact that the Commission’s dedicated portfolio for
jobs and social rights has been scrapped and lumped into the broader
‘People, Skills, and Preparedness’ portfolio raised some
concerns.
IN THIS TOGETHER — This
move risks shifting attention away from social rights, even as climate
policies take centre stage, with most portfolios focused on security
and competitiveness. It could be a missed opportunity to establish a
robust framework for a truly just transition—one that ensures workers
and vulnerable groups are supported as we move towards greener and more
competitive economies.
👀 WHAT IT ALL
BOILS DOWN TO
THE GOLDEN EGG — The
major challenge of this mandate will be to maintain momentum and
ambition while finalising the implementation and enforcement of the EU
Green Deal at the national level—ensuring no one is left behind.
Financing the just transition will be key.
DON'T FORGET — With social rights scattered across different departments,
the EU risks overlooking inequality and poverty. It's a simple truth:
No green transition can be without social justice. We need a green and
social deal fit for a one-planet economy. A Clean Industry Deal is only
part of the puzzle.
🗞️ IN OTHER NEWS….
OUR WEEKLY WOLF — More than 300 civil society groups are
urging Member States to defend, not weaken, wolf protection. They
reject the EU Commission's push to downgrade wolves under the Bern Convention and instead advocate
coexistence through preventive measures. With decades of successful
wolf protection at risk, the EEB also supports a key discussion in the
EU Parliament on 24 September. Join us.
RENEWABLES: NOT JUST FOR THE WEALTHY — For
low-income families, a simple solar rooftop can make a huge financial
difference by avoiding volatile fossil fuel prices. Yet, subsidies
often fail to reach those who need them most. Our latest briefing shows
best practices from across Europe to bring renewable energy to
vulnerable households and explains how the EU Social Climate Fund can
help unlock these solutions for those who need them the most. Check it
out here.
🤝 JOIN US
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to join our team. Could you be one of them? Check out our current vacancies on our website.
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By: Roi Gomez. Special thanks to Alberto Vela, Ruby Silk, Andreas Budiman, Annick Hus, Ben Snelson, Roberta Arbinolo, Bich Dao, and Samantha Ibbott . Editor: Christian Skrivervik
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