EU Commissioner hearings conclude: what’s next for Europe’s climate agenda 

• Commissioner hearings took place 4-12 November 2024 
• While the hearings are over, tensions between the Parliament’s main political groups hold up the approval of designated executive-vice presidents 
• E3G have followed the process and provide key takeaways for Europe’s climate agenda 

Story 

Key implications for climate policy 

• Leading European politicians must demonstrate cohesion in times of geopolitical tensions and accelerating climate impacts. Instead of politically instrumentalising the devastating Valencia floods, a stable and operational European Commission is urgently needed to deliver on enhancing resilience, security and sustainability for citizens, and positioning Europe as a climate leader globally.
• In the hearings, Commissioners-designate pledged to continue working on European’s green and just transition, moving away from fossil fuels, with an increased focus on clean leadership of the EU’s industry, expanding renewables, upgrading grids, accelerating electrification, and addressing climate impact through enhancing resilience. This sends an important message to the rest of the world: Europe continues its “man on the moon” project of decarbonising its economy.  
• Candidate-Commissioners offered limited details and made few new commitments beyond President von der Leyen’s political guidelines and mission letters, leaving significant questions on climate policy unanswered. For instance, will direct electrification and material efficiency play a central role in the Clean Industrial Deal? How will the Commission ensure a timely submission of an EU Nationally Determined Contribution to shape global climate ambition ahead of COP30? How will the EU provide sufficient funding for a green transition in a context of fierce competition between political priorities and a difficult political path to an ambitious MFF?  

Next steps for the new Commission 

• This week/next week Committee co-ordinators to evaluate the designated executive vice-presidents 
• Nov 27 European Parliament vote on the College of Commissioners (to be confirmed, depending on the outcome of the evaluation). 
• Dec 1 New Commission assumes office (to be confirmed). 

E3G’s ongoing analysis and comment 

• Dec 16 New E3G orientation briefing on the Commission’s first 100 days. The briefing will be published on E3G’s website: Climate in the European Union – E3G 
• In the meantime, please reach out to our spokespeople for background briefings and comment: E3G media advisory: Upcoming EU Commissioner hearings to test climate ambitions – E3G 

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Notes to Editors 

1. E3G is an independent climate change think tank with a global outlook. We work on the frontier of the climate landscape, tackling the barriers and advancing the solutions to a safe climate. Our goal is to translate climate politics, economics and policies into action. Climate in the European Union – E3G 
2. For further enquiries email press@e3g.org or phone +32 (0) 497 49 69 68
3. Stay Updated: Register for our new EU journalist WhatsApp briefing service to receive updates and analysis around the Commissioner hearings. If you’d like to join, please message Isabel Syrek, E3G Senior Communications Officer at +32 (0) 497 49 69 68. Please ensure you save this number to your contacts, otherwise, you won’t be able to receive the updates..