As the EU bubble in Brussels roars back to life after the summer break, policymakers, lobbyists, NGOs, and industry representatives are gearing up for a busy and potentially transformative season. This autumn, the political landscape will be critical for shaping Europe’s future, especially when it comes to sustainability. The European Union has long prided itself on its leadership in climate action and environmental policies, but recent developments—including controversial reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)—are putting that reputation to the test.
With a new College of Commissioners about to be confirmed, the coming months will set the stage for how the EU navigates the tension between economic recovery, geopolitical challenges, and the urgent need for climate action. Here’s what’s on the agenda and why it matters for sustainability.
The New College of Commissioners: Green Deal’s Fate in the Balance
Ursula von der Leyen, recently re-elected as President of the European Commission, is now preparing to present the new College of Commissioners in the next few weeks. The portfolios assigned to key figures, particularly those overseeing the climate and energy files, will signal the EU’s commitment to continuing its ambitious Green Deal policies.
The first von der Leyen Commission was defined by its Green Deal, a comprehensive plan to make Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050. As the new team takes shape, the EU’s environmental and sustainability policies will face fresh scrutiny, especially in light of new economic challenges and the impact of the war in Ukraine. The balancing act between pushing forward the Green Deal and addressing immediate economic pressures—such as energy prices and food security—will be at the heart of EU politics this autumn.
The Energy Crisis: Decarbonization Under Pressure
The energy crisis remains one of the EU’s most pressing challenges. Triggered by the war in Ukraine and Europe’s reliance on Russian gas, this crisis has reshaped the EU’s energy landscape, forcing a rapid pivot to renewable energy sources and energy efficiency measures. The European Commission’s REPowerEU plan, designed to reduce dependence on Russian energy and accelerate the green energy transition, continues to evolve.
This autumn, the spotlight will be on how the EU can ramp up its renewable energy capacity while maintaining energy security. The push for renewables, including wind, solar, and hydrogen, remains strong, but infrastructure, financing, and the speed of the transition are contentious topics. Upcoming legislative updates and policy reviews will further define how the EU intends to meet its 2030 climate targets while ensuring its energy supply is resilient and diversified.
The REPowerEU plan’s next steps will focus on scaling up investments in energy infrastructure, strengthening energy storage capabilities, and modernizing grids. These efforts will be critical for keeping the EU on track to meet its climate commitments under the Green Deal.
CAP Reform: Controversy and Consequences
A major development this year was the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which was passed earlier in 2024 after years of negotiation. CAP, which governs agricultural subsidies and rural development programs, is one of the EU’s most influential policies, affecting millions of farmers across the continent. Historically, CAP has been criticized for incentivizing intensive agriculture at the expense of environmental sustainability.
The 2024 reform was meant to align CAP with the EU’s Green Deal objectives, pushing for more sustainable farming practices. However, the final version of the reform has sparked considerable controversy. Environmental safeguards were loosened in the name of food security, despite mounting scientific evidence that accelerated climate action is needed. Environmental groups have voiced concerns that this new CAP could undermine the EU’s climate targets, especially regarding biodiversity and emissions reductions in the agricultural sector.
Critics argue that the CAP reform failed to capitalize on a historic opportunity to reshape Europe’s agricultural system for sustainability. Instead, the reform has been seen as a rollback of environmental protections, as it grants greater flexibility to Member States to decide how to use their subsidies. Some of the more stringent eco-schemes—intended to incentivize sustainable farming practices—were watered down, and new measures prioritize short-term food production over long-term environmental health.
This “fast and loose” approach to agricultural reform has drawn criticism not just from environmental NGOs but also from scientists and climate advocates who see it as a missed opportunity for aligning EU farming with broader sustainability goals. As Brussels gears up for heated debates this autumn, the future of the CAP will be a focal point, with ongoing discussions around how to balance food security, farmer livelihoods, and environmental protection in a warming world.
Nature Restoration Law: Restoring Biodiversity in Europe
One of the central pieces of the EU’s sustainability agenda that continues to face significant opposition is the Nature Restoration Law. This law aims to restore degraded ecosystems across Europe and reverse biodiversity loss, a key element of the EU’s Green Deal. It sets binding targets for restoring wetlands, forests, and marine ecosystems, which are critical to achieving broader climate and environmental goals.
However, the Nature Restoration Law has proven controversial, with strong opposition from the agricultural and fishing sectors, as well as some Member States, who fear the impact on livelihoods and food production. This autumn, negotiations will intensify in the European Parliament and Council as policymakers seek to finalize the law’s provisions.
Environmental groups argue that the restoration of ecosystems is essential for the long-term viability of Europe’s environment and food systems. But opponents are lobbying for more flexibility and exemptions, claiming that the proposed measures are too rigid and could harm Europe’s farmers and fishers. The outcome of these discussions will be a key indicator of how serious the EU is about addressing biodiversity loss and ensuring that the Green Deal remains ambitious and forward-looking.
Global Climate Leadership and COP29
On the international stage, the EU is preparing for COP29, the next major climate summit set for December 2024. The new College of Commissioners will be expected to present a united front on the global climate agenda, with Europe once again positioning itself as a leader in international climate diplomacy.
The success of COP29 will hinge on whether the EU can credibly demonstrate that it is meeting its own climate commitments while pushing for more ambitious global action. This will involve tough negotiations on climate finance, loss and damage, and adaptation measures, with developing countries demanding more substantial financial commitments from wealthier nations.
In this context, the decisions made this autumn—on energy, agriculture, and biodiversity—will be critical. If the EU continues to prioritize short-term economic goals over long-term sustainability, its global leadership on climate issues could be undermined. Conversely, a strong, cohesive approach to climate action at home could reinforce the EU’s role as a global climate leader heading into COP29.
The Road Ahead: Critical Choices for Sustainability
The return to the grind in the EU bubble this autumn comes at a pivotal moment for sustainability. The confirmation of the new College of Commissioners and decisions on the CAP, energy, and biodiversity will shape the EU’s environmental and climate policies for the coming years. While the Green Deal has laid a solid foundation for a more sustainable Europe, recent developments—particularly the controversial CAP reform—have cast doubt on the EU’s ability to meet its ambitious climate goals.
As Brussels navigates these challenges, the choices made in the coming months will determine whether the EU remains on track to achieve its climate targets or risks falling behind. With the global spotlight turning to COP29, Europe’s leadership on sustainability is more important than ever.