The 2024 European elections are just around the corner and are seen as one of the most decisive elections in the history of the European Union (EU). At the center of the political debate is the Green Deal – an ambitious legislative package that aims to make the EU climate-neutral by 2050. This election will be decisive in determining whether the Green Deal is pushed forward, modified or even scrapped. This is a critical moment for sustainability managers and CSRD consultancies, as the decisions made in Brussels may have a direct impact on corporate practice and compliance with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
The CSRD and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) require companies to prepare comprehensive sustainability reports. In addition, the EU Taxonomy requires companies to disclose taxonomy-eligible corporate activities. These reports are closely linked to the objectives of the Green Deal, as they are intended to help increase transparency and accountability with regard to environmental protection measures, social justice and governance (ESG). The results of the 2024 European elections on June 9 could determine not only the direction of European climate policy, but also the framework conditions under which companies must develop and implement their sustainability strategies.
Why are the 2024 European elections important?
The European elections in 2024 are of crucial importance, as they will determine the course of the European Union in terms of climate policy and sustainability. The urgency of climate change and therefore the relevance of this election can be underlined not only by political analyses and economic forecasts, but also by powerful words such as those of former US President Barack Obama:
We are the first generation to feel the effects of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it.
This election offers European citizens the opportunity to vote on the future of the Green Deal, which aims to make the EU climate neutral by 2050. With the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters already having a tangible impact on our daily lives, it is essential that policy decisions in Brussels are ambitious and forward-looking.
The choice will determine whether we have the courage to implement sustainable changes and drive forward sustainable innovations, or whether we continue to make compromises that jeopardize the future of our planet.
For sustainability managers in SMEs and CSRD consultants, this election is particularly relevant as it sets the framework under which companies must develop their environmental strategies and implement CSRD sustainability reports. The 2024 European elections are therefore not just a political vote, but a potential historic turning point in the global fight against climate change.
Parties in the 2024 European elections
Below is a detailed analysis of the plans for the EU Green Deal of the main parties in the 2024 European elections, based on their election manifestos. The analysis includes the allocation of the German parties to their European counterparts and a presentation of their positions on the EU Green Deal. It also examines the potential impact on small and medium-sized enterprises.
European People's Party (EPP) - CDU/CSU
Position and measures
- Maintaining the Green Deal: The EPP intends to maintain the Green Deal, but with an adjustment of priorities.
- Technology “made in Europe”: Priority for European technologies to increase competitiveness vis-à-vis the USA and China.
- Support for farmers, fishermen and SMEs: More financial support to adapt to change.
- Review the ban on internal combustion engines: The final text of the manifesto proposes that engineers and the market should decide on the best technology to achieve carbon neutrality, rather than a blanket ban.
- Adaptation of environmental laws: Reaction to political pressure and mass protests, for example by revising laws to reduce the use of pesticides and measures to protect against cheap imports and large carnivores.
Possible impact on SMEs
- SMEs could benefit from increased financial support, particularly in areas such as technology development and adaptation to new environmental standards.
- The flexible handling of the ban on combustion engines could be beneficial for SMEs in the automotive sector, but very harmful for the environment.
Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats (S&D) - SPD
Position and measures
- Climate protection as a job engine: Aiming for a climate-neutral Europe through massive investment in climate-neutral technologies and infrastructure.
- Promotion of renewable energies: Expansion of renewable energies, cross-border hydrogen pipelines and power lines.
- Transformation of the transport sector: development of a climate-neutral mobility union, promotion of public and freight transport as well as sustainable air and sea transport.
- Support for building renovations: Energy-efficient renovations and expansion of charging infrastructure for electromobility.
- Strengthening the emissions trading system (ETS): Further development of the EU emissions trading system and introduction of the ETS2.
Possible impact on SMEs
- Support for SMEs in switching to climate-neutral technologies.
- Advantages through improved infrastructure and lower energy prices.
European Free Alliance (EFA) - Alliance 90/The Greens
Position and measures
- Energy union and decarbonization: expansion of renewable energies, increased energy efficiency, decarbonization of transport, industry and heat supply.
- Investments in sustainable technologies: Massive investments in wind power, photovoltaics, solar and geothermal energy systems and energy storage.
- Infrastructure Union: Strengthening the European electricity grid and promoting the integration of renewable energies.
- Rejection of nuclear power: demand for a reform of the EURATOM treaty for greater safety in decommissioning and waste disposal.
Possible impact on SMEs
- SMEs could benefit from investments in renewable energies and infrastructure improvements.
- Possible challenges due to stricter environmental regulations.
Renew Europe (RE) - FDP
Position and measures
- Technological openness and market economy: goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees through EU emissions trading.
- Innovation-friendly regulation: Commitment to innovation-friendly regulation of the extraction, use and storage of CO2.
- Rejection of small-scale regulations: Critical attitude towards regulations such as the Ecodesign Regulation and the European Building Efficiency Directive.
- Positive attitude towards nuclear fusion: support for the creation of an innovation-friendly legal framework for nuclear fusion.
Possible impact on SMEs
- Potential benefits from a market-based and technology-open approach.
- Challenges posed by the pressure to adapt quickly to new technologies and market conditions.
Die Linke - The Left
Position and measures
- Socially just and ecologically sustainable restructuring: demand for an expansion of local and long-distance public transport and a drastic reduction in road and air traffic.
- Renewable energies: Target of switching energy generation completely to renewable energies by 2035.
- Rejection of CO2 storage: Criticism of CO2 storage technologies and a market-based approach to climate neutrality.
Possible impact on SMEs
- Potential support for SMEs in the field of renewable energies and sustainable technologies.
- Challenges posed by strict environmental regulations and regulatory measures to reduce emissions.
Volt Europe - Volt Germany
Position and measures
- Climate Transformation Act and EU Climate Emergency Act: demand for comprehensive measures to reduce CO2 emissions by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2040.
- Expansion of the emissions trading system: support for the accelerated introduction of the ETS2 and a carbon tax.
- Promotion of alternative energy sources: Expansion of infrastructure for low-carbon hydrogen and biogas.
Possible impact on SMEs
- SMEs could benefit from subsidies and investments in alternative energy sources.
- Challenges posed by the introduction of new taxes and regulatory measures.
Identity and Democracy (ID) - AfD
Position and measures
- Rejection of man-made climate change: rejection of climate protection laws and the EU Green Deal.
- Renationalization of energy policy: Demand for the abolition of all climate protection laws at national and European level.
- Fossil fuels and nuclear power: support for fossil fuels, shale gas extraction (fracking) and nuclear energy.
Possible impact on SMEs
- Lower regulatory burdens and costs through the abolition of climate protection laws.
- Potential risks due to a lack of long-term climate protection strategies and international isolation
Looking back: Which EU parties have championed climate action?
Over the past five years, the European Parliament has had both the power and the opportunity to take decisive action against the climate crisis. WWF, together with BirdLife Europe, the Climate Action Network Europe, and the European Environmental Bureau, Transport & Environment, has analyzed the voting behavior of the various parties over this period.
The WWF party ranking shows that not all MEPs have seized this opportunity to act as protectors of our planet and the European Green Deal.
Result of the political groups in the EU Parliament
The following chart shows a ranking of the political groups in the European Parliament based on their voting behavior on climate protection, nature conservation and environmental policy. The European Free Alliance (Greens) lead the ranking with 92 out of 100 points, followed by The Left with 84 points. The Progressive Alliance of Social Democrats scores 70 points, while Renew Europe scores 56 points. The European People’s Party scores 25 points, the European Conservatives and Reformists 10 points and the Identity and Democracy Group brings up the rear with 6 points.
Source: WWF
These results show that the Greens and the Left have voted most consistently in favor of environmentally friendly measures, while the conservative and right-wing populist groups have shown significantly less commitment to climate protection.
Results of the democratic German parties in the European Parliament
This chart does not show the voting behavior of the EU political groups, but of the democratic German parties on climate protection, nature conservation and environmental policy. Volt leads the ranking with a perfect score of 100/100, followed by the ÖDP with 97/100 and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen with 91/100 points. The German Pirate Party scored 83 points, Die Linke 82 points and the SPD 71 points.
Other parties such as Die PARTEI (62 points), Familien-Partei Deutschlands (27 points), Freie Wähler (21 points), CDU (20 points), CSU (18 points), FDP (17 points) and Bündnis Deutschland (7 points) rank further down the list.
These evaluations make it clear that the evaluations at European level and the specific German party evaluations show similar patterns, particularly with regard to the support of environmentally friendly measures by certain parties.
European elections 2024: discrepancies between election program and actual implementation
- FDP (Renew Europe)
- Program The FDP emphasizes openness to technology and the market economy, relies on emissions trading and calls for innovation-friendly regulation.
- Ranking: The FDP scores only 17/100 points.
- Discrepancy Despite emphasizing the importance of climate protection in its program, the voting behavior of the FDP in the European Parliament shows a low implementation of its climate protection promises.
- CDU/CSU (EPP)
- Program The CDU/CSU are committed to technological openness, emissions trading and support for SMEs and farmers.
- Ranking CDU scores 20/100 points and CSU 18/100 points.
- Discrepancy Although they are committed to climate neutrality and a sustainable economy in their program, their voting behavior in the EU Parliament shows little implementation of these goals.
- SPD (S&D)
- Program The SPD is calling for massive investment in renewable energies, a climate-neutral mobility union and the strengthening of emissions trading.
- Ranking SPD achieves 71/100 points.
- Discrepancy Despite high targets in their program, the implementation in the EU Parliament is not maximally consistent, which shows a moderate discrepancy.
European elections 2024: Consistency between party program and implementation
- Alliance 90/The Greens (EFA)
- Program The Greens strive for an energy union with 100% renewable energies and massive investments in sustainable technologies.
- Ranking The Greens achieve 91/100 points.
- Agreement High level of agreement between program and voting behavior, the party consistently implements its climate protection promises.
- The Left
- Program The Left Party demands a drastic reduction in road and air traffic and a complete switch to renewable energies by 2035.
- Ranking The Left achieves 82/100 points.
- Consistency: Here, too, there is a high level of agreement between the program and actual implementation.
- Volt
- Program Volt calls for comprehensive measures to reduce CO2, an EU climate emergency law and the promotion of low-carbon energy sources.
- Ranking Volt achieves 100/100 points.
- Compliance Maximum consistency between program and implementation, Volt fully implements its climate protection promises.
The greatest discrepancies between the election manifesto and actual implementation in the areas of climate protection, nature conservation and environmental policy can be seen in the FDP and CDU/CSU. Despite their climate-friendly programs, these parties achieve comparatively low scores in the WWF ranking. In contrast, parties such as Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, Die Linke and Volt show a high degree of consistency between their programs and their voting behavior in the European Parliament.
The Tagesschau also analyzed the party manifestos for the 2024 European elections with regard to climate protection.
Call to vote in the 2024 European elections
The 2024 European elections will take place on June 9. EU citizens have the opportunity to shape the future of the EU’s role in climate protection and ensure the consistent implementation of the European Green Deal. Each voice can make the difference between Europe continuing to pursue ambitious environmental targets or stopping halfway.
Use this opportunity to vote for a democratic Europe and a sustainable future and influence the political framework that protects our environment and quality of life. Every vote counts – exercise your right to vote and help ensure that climate protection remains a priority in Europe!
