Need to strengthen the implementation of environmental legislation and address the environmental investment gap

Question for written answer E-004461/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Nikolas Farantouris (The Left)

The fourth Environmental Implementation Review published by the Commission[1] highlights the insufficient implementation of environmental legislation by Member States. According to the findings of the review, this insufficient implementation gives rise to huge economic costs, amounting to at least EUR 180 billion per year.[2] At the same time, the review identifies a huge gap in the necessary environmental investments, amounting to EUR 122 billion per year. This gap corresponds to one third of the total annual needs for environmental investment in critical areas such as the circular economy, biodiversity, water protection and management and tackling pollution.[3]

Accordingly:

• 1.What measures has the Commission taken since the publication of the review to strengthen the implementation of environmental legislation and to address the investment gap and what additional measures does it intend to take?
• 2.Given that there are significant disparities between Member States, is the Commission providing or intending to provide assistance to Member States, tailored to the challenges each of them faces?
• 3.Given the significant contribution of European funds to addressing the environmental investment gap, how does the Commission justify the absence of a specific programme in its proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (such as the current LIFE programme) and, in any event, how is the adequacy of environmental investment ensured in its existing planning for the next MFF?

Submitted: 11.11.2025

• [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:52025DC0420
• [2] https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/4dead000-263d-11f0-8a44-01aa75ed71a1/language-en
• [3] https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiMTE4YWNhNjktYmE1Yi00NDljLWFiODItMjNmMjVhNjc0NzE1IiwidCI6ImIyNGM4YjA2LTUyMmMtNDZmZS05MDgwLTcwOTI2ZjhkZGRiMSIsImMiOjh9