Today, EU decision-makers vote for the next President of the European Commission, with Ursula von der Leyen using part of her final appeal to Members of the European Parliament to emphasise the need to implement existing EU green legislation. In response, the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) has highlighted key policy areas that it says will define her potential second term.

Steve Trent, CEO and Founder of the Environmental Justice Foundation, said: “The focus in candidate Commission President von der Leyen’s speech, and political guidelines, on implementing the adopted Green Deal legislation is welcome, but we regret that protecting nature was not front and centre.”

“The European Oceans Pact is a promising development, as long as it focuses not on rolling back ambitious EU rules on nature conservation and sustainable fisheries, but on identifying measures for their effective implementation. As part of this, it must do more to ensure illegally and unethically caught products, tainted with ocean destruction and human right abuses, are not entering the EU market, including to address the “unfair economic competition from China” and its globally present distant-water fleet.”

“Weakening EU environmental and human rights laws now, or rolling back on international commitments, would lead to similar rollbacks across the world. I urge the next Commission and Parliament to recognise this, and stand up for our shared natural world, recognising the EU’s leadership role in global ocean governance. For example, it’s vital that lawmakers take action to protect 30% of EU seas by 2030, improve compliance with existing legislation and prevent the most destructive forms of fishing, like bottom trawling, from taking place in Marine Protected Areas.”

“Lastly, I applaud the recognition in candidate Commission President von der Leyen’s speech of the vital role of wetlands for wildlife and the climate. This must translate into action, with the next Commission and Parliament recognising the opportunity and responsibility the EU has to protect these precious ecosystems. Firstly, expanding the EU Deforestation Regulation to cover wetlands will avoid deforestation by preventing it from simply relocating from other biomes into wetlands. Secondly, mobilising funding for ‘Wetlands Partnerships’ can provide the financial muscle needed to safeguard wetlands while upholding the rights of Indigenous peoples.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

EJF works internationally to inform policy and drive systemic, durable reforms to protect our environment and defend human rights. We investigate and expose abuses and support environmental defenders, Indigenous peoples, communities, and independent journalists on the frontlines of environmental injustice. Our campaigns aim to secure peaceful, equitable, and sustainable futures.

Our investigators, researchers, filmmakers, and campaigners work with grassroots partners and environmental defenders across the globe. Our work to secure environmental justice aims to protect our global climate, ocean, forests, and wildlife and defend basic human rights. For more information or to speak to one of our expert analysts, please contact media@ejfoundation.org