The EU is facing intense pressure on its environmental and climate policies from a coalition of far-right parties, heavy industry, and key figures within Hoekstra’s own center-right European People’s Party. This pressure has resulted in the weakening or removal of some standards, making the 2040 target a challenging political battle.
Hoekstra emphasized that adjusting green policies doesn’t mean abandoning Europe’s environmental goals. He stated that the focus should be on a strategy that effectively combines climate action, competitiveness, and independence, calling it the “winning formula.”
He also addressed criticism from countries affected by the EU’s carbon border tax, a significant topic at the recent COP30 climate negotiations. Nations like South Africa, India, and China have expressed concern that the tax puts their industries at a disadvantage. Hoekstra dismissed these complaints as attempts to gain leverage during the COP30 discussions.
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