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DRAFT OPINION (COM(2025)0552 – C100168/2025 – 2025/0238(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Establishing the European Fund for Regional Development including for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg) and the Cohesion Fund as part of the Fund set out in Regulation (EU) […] [NRP] and establishing conditions for the implementation of the Union support to regional development from 2028 to 2034

ENVI-PA-786677

Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety · Rapporteur: Jana Nagyová

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The draft opinion of the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety responds to the Commission's proposal for the future ERDF and Cohesion Fund framework for 2028 to 2034. It asks that environmental and climate investments deliver measurable results in biodiversity, ecosystem restoration and climate resilience, and that the green transition stay socially balanced and territorially inclusive. It calls for a more proportionate, flexible and predictable application of the 'do no significant harm' principle, with Member States deciding at the programming stage and possible adjustments or exemptions for strategic investments and less developed regions. It wants key requirements anchored in binding legislation rather than guidance, Article 2 to list all key objectives and eligible areas of intervention, and State aid rules adjusted accordingly. It stresses subsidiarity and territorial flexibility, especially for sustainable urban development and housing, and early involvement of regional and local authorities.

Committee position. The rapporteur proposes that the committee seek a balanced opinion: environmental and climate investments should deliver measurable results, the 'do no significant harm' principle should be applied more flexibly, key requirements should be in binding legislation, and subsidiarity and territorial flexibility should be preserved.

Key points

  1. The opinion seeks legal certainty, effective implementation and a balance between environmental ambition, regional development and cohesion objectives.
  2. It asks that environmental and climate investments under cohesion policy deliver tangible, durable and measurable results, especially for biodiversity, ecosystem restoration and climate resilience.
  3. It says the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund should support areas where markets alone do not invest enough, particularly biodiversity protection, ecosystem restoration and climate resilience.
  4. It calls for the green transition to remain socially balanced and territorially inclusive, with measures on affordability, access to essential services and quality employment.
  5. It advocates a more proportionate, flexible and predictable application of the 'do no significant harm' principle, letting Member States decide at the programming stage how to apply it.
  6. It asks for targeted adjustments or exemptions for strategic investments, less developed regions and sectors essential for economic and social development, provided Union environmental law is respected.
  7. It says the 'do no significant harm' principle should not create disproportionate administrative burden or hinder timely absorption of Union funds.
  8. It wants key requirements anchored in binding legislation rather than non-binding guidance, to avoid divergent interpretations, audit risks and unequal treatment across Member States.
  9. It asks that the Regulation be accompanied by appropriate adjustments to the relevant State aid rules.
  10. It asks Article 2 to explicitly list all key objectives of the ERDF and the Cohesion Fund and the eligible areas of intervention, preserving environmental projects as a Union priority.
  11. It stresses subsidiarity and territorial flexibility in areas such as sustainable urban development and housing, without overly prescriptive requirements in national competences.
  12. It calls for early and effective involvement of regional and local authorities and other stakeholders, in line with the partnership principle and multi-level governance.

Who is affected

  • Managing authorities and beneficiaries, who would face clearer expectations and less uncertainty under the opinion's approach.
  • Member States, which would determine at the programming stage how to apply the 'do no significant harm' principle.
  • Industrial and less developed regions, where environmental and climate investments can have uneven impacts.
  • Regional and local authorities and other stakeholders, who should be involved early in designing place-based approaches.

Figures and deadlines

  • 2028 to 2034: the period for Union support to regional development under the proposed regulation.