In a moment of environmental urgency, over 1,800 scientists and 30 scientific organisations from across Europe have issued a resounding call to EU policymakers to halt the rollback of the European Green Deal and reignite its transformative potential. This appeal highlights critical threats to the EU’s environmental commitments and the cascading consequences for biodiversity, human health, and economic resilience.

A Troubling Shift in Priorities

Recent decisions by the European Commission signal a troubling shift away from sustainability. Delays and rollbacks in key regulations—such as the withdrawal of the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation (SUR), the dilution of the environmental safeguards in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the postponed European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)—reflect a pivot toward short-term economic growth at the expense of long-term environmental stability.

The scientists argue this approach disregards planetary boundaries, undermines public health, and risks exacerbating the climate and biodiversity crisis. They warn that these setbacks are not just policy decisions but existential threats to Europe’s capacity to meet its climate neutrality and biodiversity goals.

Key Areas of Concern

1. Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss The delayed implementation of the EUDR weakens Europe’s ability to combat deforestation linked to its supply chains. This postponement threatens biodiversity hotspots and penalizes businesses that have already invested in compliance.
2. Pesticide Regulation The rejection of the SUR ignores robust scientific evidence advocating for pesticide reduction targets. The continued prevalence of agrochemicals poses risks to ecosystems, pollinators, and public health.
3. Agricultural Policy Weaknesses Recent CAP reforms prioritize productivity over sustainability, potentially accelerating soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Unregulated Renewable Energy Expansion While renewable energy is critical, its unchecked expansion risks habitat destruction and contradicts the EU’s biodiversity and land-use goals.

A Call to Action

The scientists outlined a clear path forward to restore the Green Deal’s integrity and ambition:

• Revoke Recent Amendments: Reverse decisions that weaken environmental safeguards, such as the changes to CAP and the delayed EUDR.
• Reinstate the SUR: Reintroduce the pesticide regulation to achieve evidence-based reduction targets.
• Implement Existing Legislation: Commit to enforcing current regulations with transparency and stakeholder collaboration.
• Develop a Long-Term Strategy: Align post-election strategies with planetary boundaries and global biodiversity commitments.
• Strengthen Science-Policy Collaboration: Reinforce the role of science in guiding policy decisions for informed, timely, and effective governance.

Voices of Concern

In their statement to the press leaders of the scientific community emphasized the stakes:vthe importance of moving beyond short-sighted, economy-driven decisions. They urged EU policymakers to prioritize long-term, sustainable solutions that balance societal well-being with the health of the environment. They warned against treating the rules of nature as negotiable in political agendas. They warned that weakening the European Green Deal undermines environmental commitments and sends a troubling message globally about the EU’s dedication to sustainability.

Kris Decleer, Senior Researcher at INBO, and SER-Europe`s Policy Lead stressed:
“Our economies and well-being depend on a healthy planet. Rolling back environmental standards endangers not only nature but the foundation of our society and economy.”

United for a Sustainable Future

The appeal extends beyond policymakers to citizens, civil society organizations, and political actors, urging collective action to advocate for sustainability, resilience, and environmental health. As Europe faces escalating environmental challenges, recommitting to the Green Deal is vital to preserving its leadership in the global fight against climate and biodiversity crises.

The time to act is now. Only through decisive, science-based governance and collective will can Europe chart a sustainable course for future generations.