{
  "id": 5958354,
  "title": "After heatwaves, will EU pivot back to the climate fight?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/after-heatwaves-will-eu-pivot-back-to-the-climate-fight",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-06T10:25:07.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2026/09/1526997/after-heatwaves-will-eu-pivot-back-climate-fight"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Climate change may be making a comeback as a top priority for the European Union (EU), following a series of devastating heatwaves this summer across the continent. This shift comes after two years of environmental rollbacks, with critics arguing that EU policies on the issue have taken a backseat to defense and industry goals.\n\nEU chief Ursula von der Leyen is expected to address climate change prominently in her upcoming State of the European Union address, marking a potential shift in the bloc's priorities. Environmental groups have urged von der Leyen to present concrete plans for transitioning off fossil fuels during the speech, delivered on September 16. The EU's 27 commissioners are set to meet Swedish climatologist Johan Rockstrom for a seminar in Brussels on Friday, further indicating the potential focus on climate issues.\n\nHowever, there are indications that the EU may focus on climate resilience and the economic potential of green industries instead. These areas have been previously highlighted by von der Leyen and are expected to be addressed in the upcoming legislation on climate resilience, which is due before the end of the year. The ambitious climate legislation of von der Leyen's first five years in office, known as the Green Deal, faces challenges as it is now a more difficult sell in Brussels.\n\nThe political landscape within the European Parliament has shifted, with the business-friendly center-right party gaining ground and climate sceptics, including far-right members, holding more influence. This has made it difficult for green parties to push for more ambitious climate legislation. Within the European Commission itself, there are divisions between green voices and pro-business colleagues over the impact of a carbon market reform on aviation and maritime transport sectors.\n\nMoreover, EU countries are grappling with the allocation of limited resources under the bloc's next long-term budget. The task of implementing meaningful climate actions in von der Leyen's speech appears to be an uphill battle, according to Green leader Terry Reintke. Nonetheless, Reintke's group is committed to pushing for concrete climate actions to address the existential situations at hand.",
  "summary": "IS climate change set for a comeback as a top EU priority, after a deadly summer of record-breaking heatwaves across Europe?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}