European Commission Funds Environmental NGOs to Challenge German Companies
Reports detail significant financial support to green NGOs for advocacy and legal actions against German industries.
The European Commission has reportedly allocated funding of up to €700,000 to various environmental NGOs to lobby against German companies and initiate legal actions.
Notable organizations such as Friends of the Earth and ClientEarth have been involved in these efforts, according to German media reports.
ClientEarth, based in London with offices in Brussels and around Europe, allegedly received €350,000 to commence court proceedings targeting coal-fired power plants in Germany.
Meanwhile, Friends of the Earth, headquartered in Amsterdam, was reportedly instructed by the Commission to foster resistance to the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement.
This deal, which has gained significant support in Germany, faces strong opposition from France, where concerns are raised regarding the environmental practices of South American countries involved in the agreement.
Additional reports suggested that various other NGOs received funds to influence Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) ahead of pivotal votes concerning chemical regulations and plant protection measures.
The reported disbursements occurred in 2023, subsequent to the signing of contracts between the EU executive and the NGOs.
These revelations have surfaced in the context of increasing allegations, primarily from right-wing factions, asserting that the Commission is misusing taxpayer funds to pursue its environmental agenda.
The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), the predominant grouping in the European Parliament, has voiced growing support for these claims.
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, is also affiliated with the EPP, further fueling the discussions.
In response to the allegations detailed in the report, a spokesperson for the Commission stated that there are no undisclosed contracts between the Commission and any NGOs.
The spokesperson emphasized the Commission's commitment to transparency regarding funding allocations to NGOs and noted that guidelines were established last year to enhance clarity in funding processes.
These guidelines include stipulations against approving work programmes that exhibit excessively specific activities aimed directly at EU institutions or representatives.
ClientEarth’s German office director, Christiane Gerstetter, clarified that no portion of the Commission's LIFE funding, designated for nature and climate initiatives, was utilized for external litigation expenses but was instead directed towards supporting staff and operational activities.
Furthermore, ClientEarth asserted that the objectives set out in the EU funding applications were conceived and advanced by individual NGOs, rather than being mandated by the Commission.
Friends of the Earth did not provide comments regarding the recent reports.
Notable organizations such as Friends of the Earth and ClientEarth have been involved in these efforts, according to German media reports.
ClientEarth, based in London with offices in Brussels and around Europe, allegedly received €350,000 to commence court proceedings targeting coal-fired power plants in Germany.
Meanwhile, Friends of the Earth, headquartered in Amsterdam, was reportedly instructed by the Commission to foster resistance to the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement.
This deal, which has gained significant support in Germany, faces strong opposition from France, where concerns are raised regarding the environmental practices of South American countries involved in the agreement.
Additional reports suggested that various other NGOs received funds to influence Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) ahead of pivotal votes concerning chemical regulations and plant protection measures.
The reported disbursements occurred in 2023, subsequent to the signing of contracts between the EU executive and the NGOs.
These revelations have surfaced in the context of increasing allegations, primarily from right-wing factions, asserting that the Commission is misusing taxpayer funds to pursue its environmental agenda.
The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), the predominant grouping in the European Parliament, has voiced growing support for these claims.
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, is also affiliated with the EPP, further fueling the discussions.
In response to the allegations detailed in the report, a spokesperson for the Commission stated that there are no undisclosed contracts between the Commission and any NGOs.
The spokesperson emphasized the Commission's commitment to transparency regarding funding allocations to NGOs and noted that guidelines were established last year to enhance clarity in funding processes.
These guidelines include stipulations against approving work programmes that exhibit excessively specific activities aimed directly at EU institutions or representatives.
ClientEarth’s German office director, Christiane Gerstetter, clarified that no portion of the Commission's LIFE funding, designated for nature and climate initiatives, was utilized for external litigation expenses but was instead directed towards supporting staff and operational activities.
Furthermore, ClientEarth asserted that the objectives set out in the EU funding applications were conceived and advanced by individual NGOs, rather than being mandated by the Commission.
Friends of the Earth did not provide comments regarding the recent reports.
Translation:
Translated by AI
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
