General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2026 - all sections

The Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety calls on the Committee on Budgets, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following into its motion for a resolution:

1.Underlines that the Union budget for 2026 continues to reflect central factors identified during the mid-term revision of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), notably the continued need to accelerate the green and digital transition as well as a the need of a water resilience strategy, while responding to external pressures such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, humanitarian needs in the Southern Neighbourhood and growing natural disasters;

2.Underscores the importance of prioritising agreed Union objectives and ensuring efficient resource allocation; calls for adequate financial and human resources to implement Union legislation adopted in the previous European Parliament’s term, particularly in the fields of climate action, environmental protection and food safety, with a specific emphasis on measures contributing to climate mitigation and adaptation, circular economy and zero pollution goals, in light of increasing implementation demands as the 2021–2027 programmes progress towards full operational deployment;

3.Welcomes the Union's continued commitment to global partnerships, including environmental and climate resilience actions in neighbouring and partner countries; underlines the importance of maintaining funding for external climate objectives under the Global Gateway and in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals;

4.Recalls the European Green Deal’s central role in strengthening the Union’s competitiveness and advancing the transition to a sustainable and climate-neutral economy, through key initiatives such as the Clean Industrial Deal; emphasises the need for budgetary coherence in balancing competitiveness, decarbonisation, and resilience objectives; reiterates that implementing the European Green Deal is essential for achieving the Union’s climate goals and securing long-term competitiveness, particularly by supporting clean innovation and industrial decarbonisation;

5.Welcomes the Union budget’s continued commitment to climate objectives, ensuring that at least 30% of the MFF supports climate action; stresses the need for robust tracking methodologies to enhance transparency, effectiveness and alignment with the Union’s 2050 climate neutrality objective; notes that the 2026 draft budget upholds this priority, with a significant increase in payment appropriations for climate-related expenditures (+199,3%); regrets the 9% reduction in commitment appropriations, warning that it could jeopardize the Union’s medium- and long-term climate neutrality targets;

6.Notes with concern that the biodiversity expenditure target of 10% for 2026 is unlikely to be met; observes that biodiversity mainstreaming remains below target despite efforts to enhance its share of Union spending; calls on the Commission to implement remedial measures to close this gap, as biodiversity-relevant spending is projected to reach only 7,8% of the Union budget in 2026, jeopardizing the 10% target for 2027;

7.Notes that under Heading 3 ‘Natural Resources and Environment’ of the Union budget for 2026, commitment appropriations remain broadly stable at EUR 56,97 billion, while payment appropriations increase to EUR 53,13 billion; while welcoming this upward trend, underlines the importance of maintaining a high level of financial ambition to ensure progress towards the Union’s climate and environmental goals;

8.Recalls that the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) remains a key driver of green investment, with REPowerEU supporting clean energy initiatives and the transition away from fossil fuel dependence; reiterates the obligation for Member States to allocate at least 37% of their RRF spending to climate-related measures and calls for accelerated implementation to maximize impact;

9.Stresses the need to allocate sufficient funding for each budget line that contributes to the achievement of the green transition and especially focusing on climate change mitigation and adaptation, circular economy, pollution reduction and biodiversity restoration, including through nature-based solutions and measurable improvements in water use efficiency;

10.Underlines the continued relevance of the Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE), in advancing Union environmental and climate objectives; notes the modest 3,5% budget increase, particularly the 6% rise for nature and biodiversity, and calls for a more ambitious funding expansion to safeguard biodiversity and accelerate sustainability efforts;

11.Highlights the critical role of the Just Transition Fund in supporting the regions and economic actors transitioning away from fossil dependency, particularly in terms of energy decarbonisation and industrial transformation; regrets the 17,1% funding reduction, warning that it risks weakening assistance for these regions and sectors;

12.Welcomes the launch of the Social Climate Fund in 2026, recognising its potential in mitigating the social impact of the climate transition, and stresses its importance in ensuring fairness in climate policies, particularly for vulnerable communities; welcomes the Commission’s assistance to Member States in preparing Social Climate Plans, facilitating swift and effective implementation to maximize benefits for vulnerable groups;

13.Welcomes the EUR 33,7 million in commitment appropriations and EUR 27 million in payment appropriations allocated to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in the Union budget for 2026, recognizing its crucial role in preventing carbon leakage, strengthening global climate ambition, and ensuring fair competition for EU industries;

14.Regrets the significant reductions in funding for RescEU, with commitment appropriations decreasing by 20,7% (EUR 43.7 million less than in 2025); considers that this reduction is particularly concerning given the increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather events and natural disasters, requiring effective Union coordination and robust disaster response capacities across Member States;

15.Welcomes the budget increases for the European agencies under the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety’s remit, namely the European Environment Agency (EEA), the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA); recognizes their crucial role in shaping science-based Union policymaking and underscores the need for their resources to keep pace with the Union’s expanding environmental challenges;

16.Recalls the importance of reformed and sustainable Union own resources structures to ensure long-term budgetary stability and support for the Union’s climate and environmental goals; calls for the timely adoption and implementation of new own resources proposals to match the Union’s increasing financial needs.