European elections 2024: Will the Green Deal be saved or destroyed?
Find out why the 2024 European elections are crucial for climate protection and the Green Deal and how the parties are positioning themselves.
- The 2024 European elections directly shape the future of the EU Green Deal and, with it, the CSRD compliance landscape.
- Climate track records show a wide gap between party programs and actual voting behavior in the European Parliament.
- Conservative and right-wing groups have consistently voted against ambitious climate measures, while Greens, Left, and Volt scored highest.
- For sustainability managers and CSRD practitioners, the election outcome sets the regulatory environment for years ahead.
- Each vote on June 9 is a direct signal about whether Europe stays on course toward climate neutrality by 2050.
The 2024 European elections are seen as one of the most decisive in the history of the European Union. At the center of the political debate is the Green Deal, an ambitious legislative package aiming to make the EU climate-neutral by 2050. This election will determine whether the Green Deal is pushed forward, modified, or scrapped entirely.
For sustainability managers and CSRD consultancies, the stakes are high. Decisions made in Brussels will 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 vote could reshape the framework under which companies must develop and implement their sustainability strategies.
Why are the 2024 European elections important?
The 2024 European elections matter 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 gives 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 is clear: do we implement sustainable changes and drive innovation, or do we keep making compromises that put the planet's future at risk?
For sustainability managers in SMEs and CSRD consultants, this election is particularly relevant. It sets 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. 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
European Free Alliance (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.
Die Linke - The Left
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.
Identity and Democracy (ID) - AfD
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 based on their voting behavior on climate protection, nature conservation, and environmental policy. The European Free Alliance (Greens) leads 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.
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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.
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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 (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.
The election result shapes your reporting framework. Be ready regardless of the outcome. Our ESRS data points template gives you a structured overview of all relevant reporting requirements.
Call to vote in the 2024 European elections
The 2024 European elections 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. Every vote counts.
Frequently asked questions about the 2024 European elections and the Green Deal
How do the 2024 European elections affect the CSRD?
The composition of the new European Parliament directly influences how the CSRD is developed, simplified, or strengthened in the coming years. A Parliament dominated by conservative or right-wing groups may push for further rollbacks, while a pro-climate majority would tend to defend or expand sustainability reporting requirements.
Which parties support strong climate action in the European Parliament?
Based on voting records analyzed by the WWF, Volt (100/100), the Greens/EFA (92/100), and Die Linke/The Left (84/100) have the strongest track records. The SPD/S&D scores 71/100, while the CDU/CSU/EPP, FDP/Renew Europe, and the AfD/ID group all score below 25/100.
What does 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. A more conservative Parliament could delay or weaken the CSRD further. A pro-climate Parliament would be more likely to maintain or strengthen the reporting framework. Sustainability managers should monitor the election outcome and prepare for different regulatory scenarios.
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.
