A leaked draft of the European Union’s Strategic Agenda, a high-level policy document set to be agreed upon at an EU summit in Brussels, reveals that EU leaders intend to continue pushing for climate action, despite previous concerns about a shift away from green priorities. The document, seen by Euronews, pledges to “continue protecting nature,” “reverse the degradation of ecosystems,” and “accelerate the energy transition.” This commitment follows an earlier leaked version of the document that suggested references to climate action had been almost entirely removed, leading to concerns about a U-turn on key EU goals.
The latest draft, however, reaffirms the EU’s commitment to “secure the supply of abundant, affordable and clean energy” and to “champion vibrant rural communities and strengthen the position of farmers in the food supply chain.” This emphasis on a green transition aligns with the European Green Deal, a flagship initiative aimed at achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
The document also acknowledges the importance of a stable and predictable business environment, particularly for scaling up net-zero technologies and products. To achieve this, EU leaders will direct investments towards ambitious electrification, using all net-zero- and low-carbon solutions, and investing in grids, storage, and interconnections.
This commitment to both climate action and economic competitiveness reflects the growing recognition that these two goals are not mutually exclusive. Researchers at the Brussels-based think tank Bruegel believe that decarbonisation goals, competitiveness, and strategic autonomy will be key drivers of the European Green Deal during the 2024-2029 EU institutional cycle. They recommend that EU policymakers focus on both domestic and international aspects of the Green Deal, ensuring implementation of agreed climate plans while also pursuing a “new green-diplomacy and partnerships strategy” to support global decarbonisation.
The EU summit, which began on June 27th, will be a crucial opportunity for EU leaders to finalize the Strategic Agenda and demonstrate their continued commitment to climate action and the principles of the Green Deal. While the document’s initial draft sparked controversy among environmentalists and lawmakers, the latest version suggests that green priorities remain central to the EU’s vision for the future.
