General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2026 - all sections

Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety · Rapporteur: Antonio Decaro

✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

The Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety's draft opinion on the 2026 EU budget calls for adequate funding for climate, environment, and food safety, and highlights concerns about cuts in several areas.¶¶ It welcomes increases for climate spending and agencies, but regrets reductions in biodiversity, Just Transition Fund, and RescEU, and urges remedial measures.¶¶¶

Committee position. The Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety calls on the Committee on Budgets to incorporate its suggestions into the motion for a resolution on the 2026 EU budget.¶

Key points

Calls for adequate financial and human resources to implement EU legislation on climate, environment, and food safety, focusing on mitigation, adaptation, circular economy, and zero pollution.¶
Welcomes commitment to global partnerships and maintaining funding for external climate objectives under Global Gateway and UN Sustainable Development Goals.¶
Emphasizes the European Green Deal's role in competitiveness and transition to climate-neutral economy, and calls for budgetary coherence.¶
Notes the 2026 draft budget increases climate-related payment appropriations by 199.3% but reduces commitment appropriations by 9%, warning this could jeopardize climate neutrality targets.¶
Calls on the Commission to implement remedial measures to close the biodiversity spending gap, as it is projected at 7.8% in 2026, below the 10% target.¶
Notes Heading 3 commitment appropriations stable at EUR 56.97 billion and payment appropriations increase to EUR 53.13 billion, and calls for high financial ambition.¶
Reiterates the obligation for Member States to allocate at least 37% of RRF spending to climate measures and calls for accelerated implementation.¶
Stresses need for sufficient funding for green transition, including climate mitigation, adaptation, circular economy, pollution reduction, biodiversity restoration, and water efficiency.¶
Notes modest 3.5% increase for LIFE programme, with 6% rise for nature and biodiversity, and calls for more ambitious funding.¶
Regrets 17.1% funding reduction for Just Transition Fund, warning it risks weakening assistance for regions transitioning away from fossil dependency.¶
Welcomes launch of Social Climate Fund in 2026 and Commission's assistance to Member States in preparing Social Climate Plans.¶
Welcomes CBAM allocations of EUR 33.7 million in commitments and EUR 27 million in payments, and regrets RescEU funding decrease of 20.7% (EUR 43.7 million less than 2025).¶¶

Who is affected

EU agencies (EEA, ECHA, EFSA) receive budget increases, recognizing their role in science-based policymaking.¶
Member States must allocate at least 37% of RRF spending to climate measures and prepare Social Climate Plans.¶¶
Regions and economic actors transitioning away from fossil dependency are affected by Just Transition Fund reduction.¶

Figures and deadlines

199.3% increase in climate-related payment appropriations in 2026 draft budget.¶
9% reduction in commitment appropriations for climate.¶
Biodiversity spending projected at 7.8% of Union budget in 2026, below 10% target.¶
Heading 3 commitment appropriations: EUR 56.97 billion; payment appropriations: EUR 53.13 billion.¶
At least 37% of RRF spending to be allocated to climate measures.¶
LIFE budget increase: 3.5% overall, 6% for nature and biodiversity.¶
Just Transition Fund funding reduction: 17.1%.¶
CBAM allocations: EUR 33.7 million in commitments, EUR 27 million in payments; RescEU decrease: 20.7% (EUR 43.7 million less than 2025).¶¶

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