Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions published between Monday, 09.02.2026 and Sunday, 15.02.2026. During this period, 21 new and answered questions addressed key energy and climate policy files. Key themes include the application of State aid rules for energy-intensive industries, the implementation and scope of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), securing critical raw material supply chains, and managing the EU’s energy and economic security in relation to third countries like China and Russia. Further topics include the future of the Just Transition Fund, the development of infrastructure for zero-emission transport, and the governance of international climate efforts. Of the 21 PQs covered, 13 have received answers from the Commission, while 8 remain pending.
❓ State Aid Access for Energy-Intensive Industries in Difficulty
In E-000427/2026, submitted on 03.02.2026, Wouter Beke (PPE) questions the Commission on the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER), which stipulates that undertakings in difficulty are not eligible for State aid. The MEP highlights that this rule excludes strategic, energy-intensive sectors already under severe pressure from essential support mechanisms, and asks whether the Commission considers allowing greater flexibility in the GBER’s application, at least temporarily. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ CBAM’s Delayed Application to Semi-Finished Goods and Support Measures
Morten Løkkegaard (Renew) submitted E-000397/2026 on 30.01.2026, asking why CO₂-intensive semi-finished goods will not be covered by the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) until 1 January 2028. The question raises concerns about potential distortions of competition for EU producers and asks if the temporary decarbonisation fund can support affected companies in the interim, and whether the Commission has assessed bringing forward the inclusion of these goods. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Future of Just Transition Fund in the Next EU Budget Queried
Submitted on 26.01.2026, E-000295/2026 from Łukasz Kohut (PPE) expresses deep concern over the failure to include dedicated support for the energy transition in the Commission’s proposal for the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034. The MEP asks how the Commission plans to provide dedicated funding for coal-mining regions and whether a specific envelope, similar to the previous JTF, is being considered. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Responds on German Energy Price Subsidies and Fair Competition
In response to E-004846/25 from MEPs including Kosma Złotowski (ECR) regarding Germany’s plan to reduce industrial energy prices, Executive Vice-President Ribera stated on 09.02.2026 that the Clean Industrial State aid Framework (CISAF) allows Member States to provide temporary relief on high electricity prices. She clarified that different aid instruments can be combined as long as the same eligible cost is not aided twice, but as a general principle, the Commission does not comment on specific discussions with Member States about State aid matters.
❗ Commission Confirms State Aid Framework for High Electricity Prices
In a response on 12.02.2026 to E-004797/25, Executive Vice-President Ribera confirmed that the Clean Industrial State aid Framework (CISAF) allows Member States to provide temporary relief from high electricity prices in return for companies’ commitments to invest in decarbonisation. The Commission ensures in its assessment that such aid measures do not cause disproportionate competition distortions. The Commission reiterated that it does not comment on ongoing discussions with Member States.
❓ Zinnwald Lithium Project’s Strategic Status and Environmental Impact
Martin Günther (The Left) submitted E-000533/2026 on 06.02.2026, raising strong opposition from local citizens to the Zinnwald Lithium project’s application for Strategic Project status under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act. The question highlights doubts about the project’s commercial viability and its potential severe impact on a UNESCO World Heritage site, Natura 2000 areas, and local drinking water. The MEP asks how the Commission will assess the project’s contribution to EU supply security and ensure environmental protections. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Harmonisation of Circular Economy and Single Market Rules Questioned
In E-000414/2026, submitted on 02.02.2026, Maria Guzenina (S&D) points to a regulatory conflict between circular economy objectives and single market product safety rules, which creates barriers for businesses like refurbished electronics. The MEP asks how the Commission will resolve this tension to ensure the rules are complementary and whether future product legislation will be designed to accommodate both linear and circular business models from the outset. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Outlines Support for Chemicals Sector and Fertiliser Affordability
In an answer on 10.02.2026 to E-004383/25, Commissioner Hoekstra detailed upcoming support for the chemicals sector. This includes a review of the ETS Directive, a Chemicals Industry Action Plan, and a Critical Chemicals Alliance to address production capacity risks. Regarding the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), he stated the Commission’s approach for fertilisers is to balance carbon leakage prevention with affordability, and confirmed an action plan for fertilisers will be proposed in the first half of 2026.
❗ Commission Addresses Carbon Leakage and Support for EU Steel Industry
Responding to a question on the steel sector on 11.02.2026 (E-004313/25), Commissioner Šefčovič confirmed that the Commission will assess the necessity of adjusting the scope of a regulation on global steel overcapacity to potentially include downstream products. He noted that the potential extension of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is guided by carbon leakage risk and highlighted a temporary measure, in force since January 2026, to support decarbonisation efforts of EU installations producing CBAM goods for export.
❗ Data on Critical Raw Material Use in Defence Sector Limited, Commission States
In a reply on 12.02.2026 to E-004990/25, Executive Vice-President Séjourné explained that while the Commission collects data on raw materials consumption in line with the Critical Raw Materials Act, it does not have sufficiently disaggregated information on the percentage allocated to the defence industry. He noted that the dual-use character of many applications is a challenge for collecting this specific information and that the next update to the Commission’s report is planned for May 2027.
❗ Commission Details Measures to Mitigate CBAM Impact on Fertiliser Prices
On 13.02.2026, Commissioner Hoekstra answered E-005009/25 by outlining measures to address challenges from the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for the fertiliser market. To account for high prices and import dependency, the Commission introduced a lower 1% mark-up for the default emission values for fertilisers. Other measures include the temporary suspension of tariffs on ammonia and urea from countries other than Russia or Belarus and a provision to suspend CBAM for specific goods if severe market harm occurs. An action plan for fertilisers is forthcoming in 2026.
❓ MEP Inquires About Safety and Maintenance of EU-Funded Dams in Spain
Dolors Montserrat (PPE) submitted E-000465/2026 on 05.02.2026, raising concerns over the state of repair of Spain’s approximately 1,300 large dams, many of which are nearly 60 years old and were financed with EU funds. Citing technical reports that found maintenance issues and safety defects, she asks if the Commission has assessed compliance with safety requirements and if it intends to request independent technical audits where there is evidence of failure to maintain the infrastructure. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Details Support for Zero-Emission Heavy-Duty Vehicles
In a response on 09.02.2026 to E-004842/25 from MEPs led by Nicola Zingaretti (S&D), Commissioner Tzitzikostas outlined measures to help heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) manufacturers meet CO₂ reduction targets. He emphasized that the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation requires Member States to deploy charging and refuelling infrastructure, supported by EU funds. While the Commission cannot directly influence the total cost of ownership (TCO), Member States can use flexibilities such as exempting zero-emission trucks from road tolls. A high-level task force is also addressing infrastructure challenges.
❓ MEPs Query Commission’s Role in International Fossil Fuel Phase-Out Conference
A cross-party group of MEPs, including Martin Günther (The Left) and Marie Toussaint (Verts/ALE), submitted priority question P-000544/2026 on 10.02.2026. They ask about the Commission’s planned participation and position for the First International Conference for the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels, to be held in Colombia in April 2026. The MEPs seek to know if the Commission will be officially represented, at what level, and whether it intends to present concrete proposals and timelines for phasing out fossil fuels. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ EU Strategy on China’s Critical Raw Material Export Controls Clarified
In a reply on 10.02.2026 to E-004787/25, Executive Vice-President Séjourné expressed the Commission’s concern over China’s use of export controls on rare earths and other critical raw materials (CRMs), which have caused supply chain disruptions. He stated the Commission has raised these concerns with Chinese authorities and at the WTO. In response, the EU’s RESourceEU Action Plan will mobilise €3 billion to accelerate domestic CRM projects, support circularity, and establish an EU CRM Centre in 2026 for financing, joint purchasing, and stockpiling.
❗ Commission Affirms Stance on Chinese Investment in EU Critical Infrastructure
Answering E-004810/25 from Piotr Müller (ECR), Commissioner Šefčovič on 09.02.2026 acknowledged the risks posed by high-risk third countries in EU critical infrastructure. He highlighted the review of the Foreign Direct Investment Screening Regulation and the Cybersecurity Act as key instruments to address these risks. The Commission’s strategy is to balance openness to foreign investment with the need to avoid creating new dependencies, while strengthening cooperation with trusted partners.
❗ Commission Responds on Governance Obligations for Chinese Firms in EU
On 09.02.2026, Commissioner McGrath responded to E-004818/25 from Paolo Inselvini (ECR) and other MEPs concerning governance standards for Chinese-owned companies in the EU. He clarified that EU rules for companies established in the Union generally apply regardless of ownership. The FDI Screening Regulation considers state control a risk factor, and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive imposes duties on large non-EU companies with a significant market presence to address human rights and environmental impacts in their supply chains.
❗ EU’s Efforts to End Dependency on Russia’s Rosatom Detailed
High Representative/Vice-President Kallas, in a reply on 13.02.2026 to E-004888/25, addressed the EU’s relationship with Russia’s state nuclear firm Rosatom. She stated that while Rosatom participates in some International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) projects, it is not a beneficiary of them. The response underlined the EU’s commitment under the REPowerEU plan to end dependency on Russian energy, including civil nuclear activities, and noted that the Euratom Research and Training programme is actively supporting the diversification of nuclear fuel supply chains for Russian-designed reactors.
❓ MEP Seeks Details on Climate Adaptation Support for EU Islands
Dimitris Tsiodras (PPE) submitted E-000388/2026 on 30.01.2026, highlighting the vulnerability of islands to climate change impacts like water scarcity. He asks the Commission what specific measures the upcoming European climate change adaptation plan will include to protect islands, whether specific financial mechanisms will be created to support local governments in implementing resilience strategies, and how cooperation for sharing best practices will be strengthened. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Announces Plans to Simplify Tax and Energy Product Legislation
In a response on 12.02.2026 to E-004560/25, Commissioner Hoekstra announced that the Commission intends to withdraw several pending tax proposals as part of its 2026 work programme. These will be replaced by an ‘Omnibus on taxation’ and a recast of the Directive on Administrative Cooperation, both scheduled for Q2 2026, aiming to simplify and clarify existing corporate tax rules. A separate ‘Omnibus to simplify energy product legislation’ is also planned for Q2 2026.
❗ Commission Regrets Postponement of Global Shipping Decarbonisation Framework
On 13.02.2026, Commissioner Tzitzikostas answered E-004614/25, expressing deep regret over the decision by the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee to postpone consideration of the Net-Zero Framework (NZF). He affirmed that the Commission remains committed to securing an ambitious, science-based global framework to put international shipping on a path to net-zero emissions by 2050 and is engaging with all partners to resume discussions.
