European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Introductory remarks by Commissioner Hoekstra at the Structured Dialogue in the European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) Brussels, 4 May 2026 Thank you very much Chair, Honourable Members, Very good to see you. Thank you for inviting me to take part in today's exchange. If you look at the world, if you look at Europe, it has n...
European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Introductory remarks by Commissioner Hoekstra at the Structured Dialogue in the European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) Brussels, 4 May 2026 Thank you very much Chair, Honourable Members, Very good to see you. Thank you for inviting me to take part in today's exchange. If you look at the world, if you look at Europe, it has never been more necessary – and more urgent – for our continent to bring climate, competitiveness and independence much more hand in hand. We have a climate problem: last week another sobering report on the State of the Climate confirmed once again that unfortunately Europe is the fastest-warming continent. We have a competitiveness problem. If you look at our economy, we simply need to step up. And clearly we have an independence problem. The latest energy crisis – the second one in just five years – highlights once again just how vulnerable we are, and how vulnerable our dependence on fossil imports makes us. In 2025, the EU imported more than 80% of its gas and more than 95% of its oil. In the first 60 days of the Iran war, Europe's bill for fossil fuel imports increased by over EUR 27 billion. For no additional energy. This Commission will ensure that homegrown, affordable, clean energy remains a top priority going forward. This is the idea behind AccelerateEU, published two weeks ago. It sets out short- and long-term measures with lasting benefits to speed up the shift to clean energy and electrification, boost investment and reduce reliance on imports. [ETS] In my view, no instrument exemplifies this better than the ETS. The President was clear, and I want to repeat it here: the ETS is working. Since 2005, the system has roughly halved emissions in the sectors it covers. Putting a price on carbon, as many more others across the globe are doing, has massively reduced fossil fuels consumption and our dependency on imports. Without it, Europe would now consume 100 billion cubic meters more gas, making us even more vulnerable. The ETS has driven major investments in renewables and nuclear. The Commission is taking short and medium-term measures to maintain a clear and stable long-term signal, whilst modernising the system for the post-2030 period. This includes the recently adopted proposal to amend the MSR Decision, to stop the invalidation of the allowances in the reserve above 400 million, to enhance market stability and manage price volatility in the future. I kindly urge you to speed up the negotiations on this file as much as possible. The earlier this proposal is agreed by the co-legislators, the more allowances will be saved from invalidation, and the greater is the firepower of the MSR. As a key element of delivering the 2040 target, we will present the ETS review in July. It will make targeted improvements while maintaining clear, stable long-term signals and a manageable decarbonisation pathway for our industries. First, the ETS linear reduction factor will be set as a contribution to the agreed economy-wide 2040 target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040, with up to 5% from international credits. This will create space for emissions in 2040 and beyond. Second, integration of permanent carbon removals into the ETS will create additional space for the hardest-to-abate sectors and generate the much-needed demand to kickstart and scale up the removals sector. Third, appropriate carbon leakage protection will be ensured. We will look at a slower phase-out of free allocation. We have recently proposed to close CBAM loopholes, for example on downstream and on circumvention, and to support sectors most exposed to the risk of carbon leakage through a Temporary Decarbonisation Fund. I hope we can see quick progress here in Parliament and Council to ensure a swift entry into force of these proposals. Other measures will support industry such as a new Industrial Decarbonisation Bank aiming for EUR 100 billion in funding to deploy low-carbon solutions in energy intensive sectors. And the ‘ETS Investment Booster', financed by 400 million ETS allowances corresponding to approximately EUR 30 billion by 2028. We want it to be simple and we want it to be fast. Let's be clear: the EU ETS has created strong trust required for the carbon market to function. It is a driver for investment and innovation. But for it to stay that way, we need to ensure and enhance predictability and stability, and that's what this revision will do for the next decade. [National targets] In addition to EU level measures, Member States will remain central to delivering the EU's climate target. Think of permitting and use of ETS revenues for instance. National targets will be based on cost-efficiency and fairness, taking into account national circumstances, and managing uncertainty such as from natural disturbances. We will build a framework that drives transformative reforms and investment in every Member State. We will offer more flexibility to cut emissions in the most effective way across different sectors, while also scaling up carbon removals. The bioeconomy is a crucial enabler for our climate transition. Here too, predictability is essential: it gives industry and communities the confidence to invest. We will underpin this with stronger governance and accountability. This includes the revision of the Governance Regulation, turning the NECPs into strategic investment plans. [Climate resilience] The past three years have been the hottest on record. This affects farmers watching crops wither in droughts, families escaping from floods, businesses grappling with broken supply chains. Science unfortunately tells us that there is more in store for us. That means much higher average temperatures, much hotter summers and more intensive floods. Yet, here is the hard truth: Europe is not ready even for the best-case scenario on global warming. Our policies, our infrastructure, on which our population but also our defence relies are lagging behind. Resilience is a major economic and security opportunity. But it's also a necessity. Businesses are asking for practical tools to adapt—climate data services, smart sensors, drought ‑ resistant crops, resilient health solutions. This is a fast ‑ growing global market, which Europe could lead. Every euro invested in resilience saves several in avoided damages. The EU must act on climate resilience to protect our economies and societies and translate this into advantages in enhanced security and beyond. Later this year, we will propose a new EU Climate Resilience Framework. It will empower regions, businesses, and citizens and give them the tools to thrive in a changing world. It will: Embed climate resilience by design in every EU policy. Establish a common temperature trajectory, so we will have a shared understanding of the risks and can act. Promote open-access digital climate tools. Help make Europe the global hub for resilience innovation, so our companies don't just survive climate change - they profit from solving it. [International] Through platforms such as the Santa Marta process, and I really want to salute those who were there last week with me, and the Open Carbon Markets Coalition, we are building coalitions of the willing: countries that are ready to move from commitments to delivery. Coalitions that recognise that the transition away from fossil fuels is inevitable. Fossil fuel dependence means structural vulnerability, particularly for us but frankly speaking for roughly 75% of the globe. Whereas clean energy means resilience and security. For that, we need to double down on electrification. Think about sun, wind, grids, storage, nuclear. As we head towards COP31, we need to ensure parties will do what it takes to reach our Paris Agreement's objectives. This means they will have to come with credible plans to align with the Global Stocktake and on keeping 1.5°C within reach. That means parties should step up and deliver their NDCs in full and we should also work with partners to accelerate the energy transition and resilience. We will push to support the shift to net-zero, a cornerstone of energy security and economic resilience. And we will turn initiatives like the Action Agenda, Mission 1.5°C and the Global Implementation Accelerator into real engines of delivery, driving electrification, innovation, and investment on the ground. In short: COP31 must not be about more negotiations. It must be about implementation, accountability, and results for the benefit of all. So there is a lot on our plate, and even more happening all over the world. But I'm looking forward to continuing this quest with all of you, and look forward to today's debate. Thank you. SPEECH/26/986 Press contacts: Anna-Kaisa ITKONEN (+32 2 29 57501) Ana CRESPO PARRONDO (+32 2 29 81325) General public inquiries: Europe Direct by phone 00 800 67 89 10 11 or by email
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