Von der Leyen delivers annual state of the EU speech
Brussels, 16 September 2026 – Commenting on European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s annual state of the European Union speech, Greenpeace EU Programme Director Magda Stoczkiewicz said:
“It was the hottest of summers, it was the meekest of responses. The droughts and wildfires of this summer made it impossible for von der Leyen to ignore the impact of the climate crisis on people across Europe. This is something many of her political allies are still reluctant to admit. But her speech does not change the fact that the EU Commission continues its crusade to dismantle and defund environmental action that would help keep people safe, cut energy costs and preserve clean water, clean air and healthy soil and food. It is planning to cut green funding in the next EU budget, continues to support fossil fuels like gas, is speeding up permitting of environmentally harmful projects, and wants to make it easier for farmers to use dangerous pesticides. While recognising the need to adapt to a rapidly changing world, there is little evidence von der Leyen will push for new radical policies to preserve the environment we depend on.”
Contact: Greenpeace EU press desk: +32 (0)2 274 1911, [email protected]
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Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning network that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace. We do not accept donations from governments, the EU, businesses or political parties. Greenpeace has over three million supporters, and 26 independent national and regional organisations with offices in more than 55 countries.
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