Environmental Justice Foundation | Press Release: Mission Letters to…

Today, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen published mission letters for her new cabinet of Commissioners, outlining their priorities. Steve Trent, CEO and Founder of EJF, commented: “There is much to like about these letters, but there are also serious gaps, particularly when it comes to protecting nature.”

“The focus in the letters to several candidates, including Executive Vice-President-designate Stéphane Séjourné, on decarbonisation and the green transition is welcome. However, if efforts to achieve this transition do not take nature into account, they will fail; a thriving natural world is crucial for the EU to mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis. For this reason, the new Commissioner should ignore the Draghi Report’s recommendation to consider deep sea mining as a potential source of critical raw materials – advice his mission letter endorsed but which civil society opposes – and instead ensure that the EU’s existing position against this reckless mining is maintained.”

“The strong emphasis on fisheries in the proposed mandate of Costas Kadis, the new Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, and the relative lack of recognition of the need to protect the EU’s marine ecosystems is worrying. To maintain the sustainability and long-term viability of EU fisheries, biodiversity-rich ecosystems are essential and the new Commissioner must ensure that existing EU laws to protect them are enforced. The same goes for stopping illegal fish tainted with environmental and human rights violations from entering the EU.”

“To do this, however, he must ensure sufficient resources for the European Commission services to follow up on illegal practices and non-compliance. The Commissioner-designate must also fully respect the Nature Restoration Act when determining the importance of protecting marine biomes – in particular marine protected areas – from industrial fishing and the most destructive forms of fishing, such as bottom trawling.”

“Given that financing for nature-based solutions to combat the global climate and biodiversity crises is only a third of what we need in 2030, it is heartening that financing for nature is a key priority for Commissioner-designate Jessika Roswall. However, this financing must be new and include support for all ecosystems, especially those that together can deliver climate and biodiversity goals. Wetlands fit the bill. Despite their crucial role, which also includes ensuring water security, they are currently undervalued and forgotten.”

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Notes for editors

EJF works internationally to inform policy and implement systemic, lasting reforms to protect our environment and defend human rights. We investigate and expose abuses and support environmental defenders, indigenous peoples, communities and independent journalists on the frontlines of environmental justice. Our campaigns aim to secure a peaceful, fair and sustainable future. Our researchers, investigators, filmmakers and campaigners work with grassroots partners and environmental defenders around the world. Our work to secure environmental justice focuses on protecting our global climate, ocean, forests and wildlife and defending fundamental human rights. For more information, please contact [email protected].