European elections 2024: Will the Green Deal be saved or destroyed?
Find out why the 2024 European elections were crucial for climate protection and the Green Deal and how the parties positioned themselves.
- The 2024 European elections directly shaped the future of the EU Green Deal and, with it, the CSRD compliance landscape.
- Climate track records from the 2019-2024 term showed a wide gap between party programs and actual voting behavior in the European Parliament.
- Conservative and right-wing groups consistently voted against ambitious climate measures, while Greens, Left, and Volt scored highest.
- For sustainability managers and CSRD practitioners, the election outcome set the regulatory environment for years ahead.
- Looking back: the EPP became the strongest group. The Omnibus I package (in force since March 18, 2026) subsequently cut back the CSRD and CSDDD significantly.
This article was written before the European elections on June 9, 2024 and has only been partially updated since. The European People's Party (EPP) emerged from the election as the strongest group. Instead of further expanding the Green Deal, the new term focused on simplification: the Omnibus Directive (EU) 2026/470 has been in force since March 18, 2026. From financial year 2027, only companies with more than 1,000 employees and more than EUR 450 million in net turnover are subject to CSRD reporting. The CSDDD will only apply to companies with more than 5,000 employees and more than EUR 1.5 billion in turnover, and only from July 26, 2029; the obligation to adopt a climate transition plan was deleted. The revised ESRS were adopted on 3 July 2026 and published in the EU Official Journal on 21 September 2026 as Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1563. They apply mandatorily to financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2027. Find the details in our article on the final ESRS and the VS standard.
The 2024 European elections were seen as one of the most decisive in the history of the European Union. At the center of the political debate was the Green Deal, an ambitious legislative package aiming to make the EU climate-neutral by 2050. The election decided whether the Green Deal would be pushed forward, modified, or scrapped entirely.
For sustainability managers and CSRD consultancies, the stakes were high. Decisions made in Brussels 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. The EU Taxonomy adds a further requirement: companies must disclose taxonomy-eligible corporate activities. All of this is tied to the objectives of the Green Deal. The results of the June 9, 2024 vote reshaped the framework under which companies must develop and implement their sustainability strategies.
Why were the 2024 European elections so important?
The 2024 European elections mattered because they set the direction of the EU on climate policy and sustainability. The urgency is real. Former US President Barack Obama captured it well:
We are the first generation to feel the effects of climate change and the last generation that can do something about it.
The election gave EU citizens a direct say in the future of the Green Deal. Natural disasters are already affecting daily life with increasing frequency and intensity. Policy decisions in Brussels need to be ambitious and forward-looking to respond to this reality.
The choice was clear: implement sustainable changes and drive innovation, or keep making compromises that put the planet's future at risk?
For sustainability managers in SMEs and CSRD consultants, this election was particularly relevant. It set the framework under which companies must develop their environmental strategies and implement CSRD sustainability reports.
Parties in the 2024 European elections
Here is a detailed analysis of the main parties' positions on the EU Green Deal, based on their 2024 election manifestos (as of before the election). German parties are mapped to their European counterparts. The analysis also looks at potential impacts on small and medium-sized enterprises.
European People's Party (EPP) - CDU/CSU
Position and measures
- Maintaining the Green Deal, but with adjusted priorities
- Priority for European technologies to increase competitiveness against the USA and China
- More financial support for farmers, fishermen, and SMEs to adapt to change
- Review of the ban on internal combustion engines: engineers and the market should decide on the best technology
- Revision of environmental laws in response to political pressure, including reducing pesticide rules and adjusting large carnivore protections
Possible impact on SMEs
SMEs could benefit from increased financial support, particularly in technology development and adapting to new environmental standards. The flexible approach to the combustion engine ban could help SMEs in the automotive sector, though it carries environmental risk.
Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) - SPD
Position and measures
- Climate protection as a job engine, with massive investment in climate-neutral technologies and infrastructure
- Expansion of renewable energies, cross-border hydrogen pipelines, and power lines
- Development of a climate-neutral mobility union, including sustainable air and sea transport
- Support for energy-efficient building renovations and charging infrastructure for electromobility
- Further development of the EU Emissions Trading System and introduction of the ETS2
Possible impact on SMEs
- Support for SMEs switching to climate-neutral technologies
- Advantages through improved infrastructure and lower energy prices
Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) - Alliance 90/The Greens
Position and measures
- Energy union and decarbonization: expansion of renewables, increased energy efficiency, decarbonization of transport, industry, and heat supply
- Massive investments in wind power, photovoltaics, solar and geothermal energy systems, and energy storage
- Strengthening the European electricity grid and promoting integration of renewable energies
- Reform of the EURATOM treaty for greater safety in nuclear decommissioning and waste disposal
Possible impact on SMEs
SMEs could benefit from investments in renewable energies and infrastructure improvements. Stricter environmental regulations may pose challenges for some sectors.
Renew Europe (RE) - FDP
Position and measures
- Technological openness and market economy: limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees through EU emissions trading
- Innovation-friendly regulation of CO2 extraction, use, and storage
- Critical stance toward small-scale regulations such as the Ecodesign Regulation and the European Building Efficiency Directive
- Support for an innovation-friendly legal framework for nuclear fusion
Possible impact on SMEs
A market-based, technology-open approach could benefit SMEs. The pressure to adapt quickly to new technologies and market conditions remains a challenge.
The Left in the European Parliament (GUE/NGL) - Die Linke
Position and measures
- Socially just and ecologically sustainable restructuring: expansion of local and long-distance public transport, drastic reduction of road and air traffic
- Target of switching energy generation completely to renewable energies by 2035
- Rejection of CO2 storage technologies and a purely market-based approach to climate neutrality
Possible impact on SMEs
SMEs in renewable energies and sustainable technologies could benefit. Strict environmental regulations and emission-reduction measures may create compliance challenges.
Volt Europe - Volt Germany
Position and measures
- Climate Transformation Act and EU Climate Emergency Act: comprehensive measures to reduce CO2 emissions by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2040
- Support for the accelerated introduction of ETS2 and a carbon tax
- Expansion of infrastructure for low-carbon hydrogen and biogas
Possible impact on SMEs
SMEs could benefit from subsidies and investments in alternative energy sources. New taxes and regulatory measures will require adjustment.
AfD (Identity and Democracy until May 2024, Europe of Sovereign Nations since July 2024)
In the 2019-2024 term, the AfD belonged to the Identity and Democracy (ID) group but was expelled from it in May 2024, shortly before the election. The ID group has no longer existed since July 2024 (successor: Patriots for Europe). Since July 2024, the AfD MEPs have formed the core of the new Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) group.
Position and measures
- Rejection of man-made climate change; rejection of climate protection laws and the EU Green Deal
- Demand for the abolition of all climate protection laws at national and European level
- Support for fossil fuels, shale gas extraction (fracking), and nuclear energy
Possible impact on SMEs
Lower regulatory burdens in the short term. Significant long-term risks from the absence of climate protection strategies and potential international isolation.
Looking back: Which EU parties have championed climate action?
Over the past five years, the European Parliament 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, the European Environmental Bureau, and Transport and Environment, analyzed the voting behavior of the various parties over this period.
The WWF party ranking shows that not all MEPs seized the opportunity to act as protectors of the 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 (2019-2024 term) based on their voting behavior on climate protection, nature conservation, and environmental policy. The Greens/European Free Alliance group led with 92 out of 100 points, followed by The Left (GUE/NGL) with 84 points. The Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats scored 70 points, while Renew Europe scored 56 points. The European People's Party scored 25 points, the European Conservatives and Reformists 10 points, and the Identity and Democracy group brought up the rear with 6 points.
Source: WWF
These results show that the Greens and the Left voted most consistently in favor of environmentally friendly measures. Conservative and right-wing populist groups showed significantly less commitment to climate protection.
Results of the democratic German parties in the European Parliament
This chart shows the voting behavior 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 show similar patterns at both European and German party level, particularly regarding the support of environmentally friendly measures by certain parties.
Discrepancies between election program and actual implementation
| Party | Program stance | WWF ranking | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| FDP (Renew Europe) | Technological openness, emissions trading, innovation-friendly regulation | 17/100 | Despite climate-friendly program language, voting behavior shows low follow-through |
| CDU/CSU (EPP) | Technological openness, emissions trading, support for SMEs and farmers | CDU 20/100, CSU 18/100 | Committed to climate neutrality in program; voting record shows limited implementation |
| SPD (S&D) | Massive investment in renewables, climate-neutral mobility union, stronger ETS | 71/100 | High targets in program; implementation in the EU Parliament shows moderate consistency |
Consistency between party program and implementation
| Party | Program stance | WWF ranking | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alliance 90/The Greens (Greens/EFA) | Energy union with 100% renewables, massive investments in sustainable technologies | 91/100 | High agreement between program and voting behavior |
| The Left | Drastic reduction in road and air traffic, complete switch to renewables by 2035 | 82/100 | High consistency between program and actual implementation |
| Volt | Comprehensive CO2 reduction measures, EU climate emergency law, promotion of low-carbon energy | 100/100 | Maximum consistency; Volt fully implements its climate protection promises |
The greatest discrepancies between election manifesto and actual implementation appear in the FDP and CDU/CSU. Despite climate-friendly programs, these parties score low in the WWF ranking. Greens, Die Linke, and Volt show the strongest alignment between program and voting record.
The Tagesschau also analyzed the party manifestos for the 2024 European elections with regard to climate protection.
Political decisions shape your reporting framework. Our ESRS data point mapping tool, adapted to the revised ESRS, determines the data points your company needs to report based on your materiality assessment.
Looking back: What followed the 2024 European elections
The European elections took place on June 9, 2024. The EPP became the strongest group in the European Parliament. In the new term, the focus shifted from further expanding the European Green Deal to simplifying existing rules. The most important result for sustainability reporting is the Omnibus I package: the Omnibus Directive has been in force since March 18, 2026. From financial year 2027, only companies with more than 1,000 employees and more than EUR 450 million in net turnover are subject to CSRD reporting; listed SMEs are no longer in scope. The CSDDD was also significantly narrowed. Read more in our article on the CSRD Omnibus.
Frequently asked questions about the 2024 European elections and the Green Deal
How did the 2024 European elections affect the CSRD?
The Parliament elected in 2024 adopted the Omnibus I package together with the Council; it has been in force since March 18, 2026. As a result, the scope and timelines of the CSRD changed significantly: from financial year 2027, only companies with more than 1,000 employees and more than EUR 450 million in net turnover are subject to reporting.
Which parties supported strong climate action in the European Parliament?
Based on the WWF's analysis of voting records in the 2019-2024 term, Volt (100/100), the Greens/EFA group (92/100), and The Left group (84/100) had the strongest track records. The S&D group scored 70/100 and the SPD 71/100, while the EPP group (25/100), CDU (20/100), CSU (18/100), FDP (17/100), and the ID group (6/100) scored far lower.
What did the election result mean for sustainability managers in practice?
The political direction set in Brussels determines which reporting rules apply, when they apply, and how strictly they are enforced. After the 2024 election, the CSRD and CSDDD were significantly cut back through the Omnibus I package, and the revised ESRS contain far fewer data points. Regulatory adjustments changed the reporting obligations but did not abolish them entirely, so sustainability managers should continue to monitor developments in Brussels.
Where can I find reliable information about party positions on climate policy?
The WWF party ranking provides a data-backed comparison of voting records. The Tagesschau analyzed party manifestos. For CSRD and ESRS updates, the CSRD knowledge hub is a good starting point.
