Europe’s climate leadership at risk as right-wing politics undermine green policies

The European Union, once the undisputed global champion of climate action, is experiencing a concerning retreat from its environmental commitments as right-wing political movements gain influence across the continent. Key climate policies spanning deforestation prevention to emissions trading systems are being systematically weakened under the banner of improving economic “competitiveness.”

This shift represents a dramatic departure from Europe’s climate leadership legacy. Just a decade ago, the EU played a pivotal role in securing the historic Paris Climate Agreement at COP21, which established the critical goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. That breakthrough was made possible through unprecedented cooperation between the United States and China, backed by Europe’s alliance with developing nations from the Global South.

The momentum from Paris directly led to the groundbreaking European Green Deal in 2019, which made the EU the first major economic bloc to legally commit to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This comprehensive framework included innovative pricing mechanisms, strict regulations, and substantial funding commitments that served as a model for climate action worldwide.

However, as negotiators prepare for COP30 in Brazil, Europe’s climate credibility faces its greatest test. The growing influence of right-wing parties across EU member states has created political pressure to roll back environmental protections in favor of short-term economic concerns. Critics argue this approach is counterproductive, warning that Europe risks undermining its own long-term competitiveness by abandoning the green transition that could secure its economic future in a carbon-constrained world.