28
Apr
2026
Watch
Joint debate - Discharge 2024 (joint debate)
Mr President, dear colleagues, the numbers on 2024 speak clearly: the EU continues to invest in climate and the environment. We are very glad that the 30 % climate spending target was met. It demonstrates the Union's commitment to the path we have chosen. On biodiversity, instead, we have a mixed picture. We welcome the achievement of 7.5 % of spending objectives, yet higher targets for the following years are projected to fall below ambitions. The Commission must ensure that all these objectives are met – we cannot afford to slow down. But spending more isn't enough; we need to better monitor these resources and, in particular, their contribution to the green transition and climate objectives. Without clear measurement, there is no credibility. In short, we need an effective budget performance framework. Colleagues, progress has been made, but we must continue to transform spending into concrete and credible results for all our citizens.