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DRAFT OPINION (2025/2145(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the EU - Commission for the financial year 2024

ENVI-PA-779473

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

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The Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety gives its opinion on the 2024 EU budget discharge for the Commission, covering climate action, biodiversity, and food safety. It calls for adequate funding and staffing for relevant Commission departments and stresses the need to meet climate and biodiversity spending targets, improve tracking, and address shortcomings in the Recovery and Resilience Facility.

Committee position. The opinion rapporteur proposes that the Committee on Budgetary Control incorporate these points into its discharge decision, expressing satisfaction but calling for improvements in funding, tracking, and implementation.

Key points

  1. Is satisfied with the Commission's overall implementation of the 2024 budget in environment, climate action, and food safety.
  2. Calls for guaranteed adequate funding and staffing for Commission Directorates-General in these areas, with sufficient resources for key strategies and action plans.
  3. Notes that about EUR 60.6 billion (32% of the annual MFF budget) was spent on climate objectives in 2024, meeting the 30% commitment.
  4. Notes RRF progress: 47% of milestones assessed as fulfilled, 29% reported completed, EUR 306.1 billion disbursed, and 42.6% of allocation for green transition.
  5. Highlights REPowerEU chapters provide EUR 64.75 billion; Innovation Fund gave EUR 4.6 billion in grants in 2024.
  6. Concerned about ECA findings on RRF shortcomings, including unreliable climate tracking and unclear green transition contribution; calls for robust methodology and transparency.
  7. Notes ETS generated EUR 43.6 billion in 2023; reiterates concern about unresolved cybersecurity risks to the ETS registry.
  8. Notes EUR 14.4 billion (7.6%) spent on biodiversity in 2024, slightly above the 7.5% target, but regrets projected shortfalls for 2026-2027 and a EUR 21.4 billion annual financing gap.
  9. Calls for efforts to meet biodiversity targets, close the financing gap, and fully implement environmental legislation.
  10. Notes LIFE programme contributed EUR 769 million in 2024, financing about 700 projects since 2021, with expected avoidance of 1.4 million tonnes CO2 and halting/reversing loss of 176 species.
  11. Highlights ECA finding that RRF tracks only climate measures, not environment; insists on accurate tracking of environment and biodiversity expenditure.
  12. Regrets EEA findings that Europe's biodiversity is in poor state with negative outlook due to persistent pressures.

Who is affected

  • Commission Directorates-General for environment, climate action, and food safety: need adequate funding and staffing.
  • Member states: RRF and REPowerEU support for green transition; need to ensure reliable reporting.
  • EU institutions: Commission must improve climate and biodiversity tracking and follow Court of Auditors' recommendations.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 60.6 billion (32% of annual MFF budget) spent on climate objectives in 2024.
  • 47% of RRF milestones assessed as fulfilled, 29% reported completed; EUR 306.1 billion disbursed.
  • 42.6% of total RRF allocation for green transition.
  • REPowerEU chapters: EUR 64.75 billion in support.
  • Innovation Fund: EUR 4.6 billion in grants in 2024.
  • ETS revenue: EUR 43.6 billion in previous year.
  • Biodiversity spending: EUR 14.4 billion (7.6% of annual budget) in 2024.
  • LIFE programme: EUR 769 million in 2024; 700 projects since 2021; 1.4 million tonnes CO2 avoided; 176 species.