21Nov 2025 by Maja Bartczak

EU Friday – 21 November

Welcome to Better Europe's weekly update on EU Affairs. COP30 SHOWS DIVIDED EU CLIMATE FRONT Halfway through COP30 in Belém, the EU is failing to live up to its reputation as a climate leader. While 82 countries called for a roadmap to phase out fossil fuels, the EU didn’t sign due to opposition from a few reluctant member states. Germany and Denmark individually backed the demand, showing the internal fractures. At the same time, a lack of finance is hindering progress. Developing countries are insisting that the Global North must provide predictable and accessible funding and recognise its historic responsibility. Negotiators warn that no significant agreement will be reached without progress on financing. Trade tensions add another layer to the situation. At the heart of this dispute? The EU's Carbon…

EU Friday – 14 November

EU Friday

Welcome to Better Europe's weekly update on EU Affairs. EPP GETS AWAY WITH DEREGULATION DANCE So, it’s official now: the EPP openly sides with the far right to ensure it can find the majority needed to dismantle EU sustainability rules. Just seven months ago, EPP leader Manfred Weber was still preaching the gospel of the cordon sanitaire, promising that the EPP would “never work with extremists”, unless they would magically align to his three pro’s: pro-Ukraine, pro-rule of law, and pro-Europe. Fast forward to today, and the only thing “pro” left is the pro-deregulation efficiency. The result is a CSRD shrunk to cover only the largest companies, the deletion of climate transition plans, and a CSDDD without civil liability. In short, a corporate sustainability framework that barely deserves the name.…

EU Friday – 7 November

EU Friday

Welcome to Better Europe's weekly update on EU Affairs. EUROPE’S 2040 CLIMATE TARGET: 5% CREDITS, 0% CREDIBILITY Following 18 hours of overnight talks, EU environment ministers finally reached a climate deal for 2040 on Wednesday morning. Under pressure from EU member states who are lagging in their climate policies, minister agreed to increase the use of carbon credits in the mix from 3% to 5%, effectively reducing the EU’s internal emissions target to around 85%. Further concessions include free pollution permits for heavy industry, a postponement of the carbon tax on heating and transport, and the continued production of internal combustion engine cars beyond 2035 thanks to so-called 'low-carbon fuels'. And all of this despite the plea by the EU’s Scientific Advisory Board for a 90% to 95% reduction target…