Overview
This report covers parliamentary questions submitted by Members of the European Parliament between Monday, 12 January 2026 and Sunday, 18 January 2026. Key themes addressed include the implementation and impact of renewable energy policies, particularly concerning biofuels, wind, and hydropower. Significant attention was also given to energy infrastructure, with a focus on hydrogen refuelling stations and submarine cable security. Financial and market mechanisms, such as the Emissions Trading System (ETS), the Just Transition Fund, and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), were prominent topics, alongside inquiries into State aid and EU climate finance. Other areas of focus include regulatory governance, such as the Effort Sharing Regulation and the Euro 7 standards, the security of critical raw material supply chains, and the EU’s external energy partnerships, notably concerning support for Ukraine and trade agreements. In total, this report reviews 24 parliamentary questions, of which 14 have received a response from the European Commission and 10 are still pending an answer.
❓ Impact of wind turbine noise on health: a blind spot in EU green policy
In a question submitted on 6 January 2026, Virginie Joron (PfE) highlights a new study suggesting modern, large-scale wind turbines generate significantly higher levels of infrasound than previously thought. The inquiry (E-000019/2026) asks if the Commission intends to revise the Environmental Noise Directive to account for these findings, support further research into measurement tools, and impose harmonised EU-level thresholds for noise and infrasound emissions to protect public health. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Rethinking biofuels: aligning Europe’s transport policy with climate and economic gains
Citing a study that suggests biofuels emit more CO₂ over their life cycle than the fossil fuels they replace, Dan-Ştefan Motreanu (PPE) submitted a question on 23 December 2025. The inquiry (E-005069/2025) asks what measures the Commission plans to take to revise the EU’s biofuel strategy and redirect investment towards more sustainable alternatives like electrification, clean hydrogen, and solar power to better support climate goals and long-term prosperity. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Biodegradable garden and park waste classed as a by-product in Italy
Dario Tamburrano (The Left) submitted a priority question on 7 January 2026, concerning Italy’s classification of biodegradable garden and park waste. The inquiry (P-000028/2026) questions whether Italy is correctly implementing Directive 2008/98/EC by allowing this waste to be treated as a by-product for use in biomass plants, rather than as municipal waste, and asks what steps the Commission will take if this practice is found to be non-compliant. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ No Immediate Plans to Amend Renewable Energy Directive’s Biofuel Feedstock List
In response to a question (E-004553/2025) regarding biofuel feedstocks, Commissioner Jørgensen stated on 15 January 2026 that no further amendments to Annex IX of the Renewable Energy Directive are currently planned, following a recent update that added new feedstocks. The Commission will, however, continue to work towards a harmonised interpretation of the Annex’s coverage and will assess whether the list of feedstocks already considered to be covered should be extended.
❗ Commission Affirms Hydropower’s Role in EU Energy Mix; No EU Funding for Specific Greek Project
In a response on 13 January 2026 to question E-004281/2025, Commissioner Jørgensen reaffirmed that hydropower is the EU’s second-largest source of renewable electricity and plays an important role in achieving 2030 targets. While the Commission has assessed information on hydropower in Greece’s final National Energy and Climate Plan, it noted that a specific project mentioned in the inquiry has not received support under EU programmes such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility, InvestEU, or cohesion policy funds.
Hydrogen & Power-to-X
❓ EU funding and future use of hydrogen refuelling stations for heavy-duty vehicles (HDV)
Johan Danielsson (S&D) and other MEPs submitted a question on 9 December 2025, inquiring about the future of hydrogen infrastructure. The question (E-004867/2025) asks for the total EU funding spent on hydrogen refuelling stations for heavy-duty vehicles, their current usage rates, and whether the Commission has a plan to repurpose these assets if the market shifts decisively towards battery-electric trucks. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ EU Framework and Funding for Renewable Hydrogen, Highlighting Greek Projects
In a response on 13 January 2026 to question E-004277/2025, Commissioner Jørgensen outlined the EU’s comprehensive framework to scale up renewable hydrogen, which includes binding targets, infrastructure support, and financial incentives through the Innovation Fund, Horizon Europe, and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The Commission highlighted a specific allocation of EUR 5.4 million under CEF for preliminary studies of the Greek Hydrogen Backbone H2DRIA project and noted that other Greek hydrogen projects can apply for PCI status to gain eligibility for CEF funding and faster permitting.
Grid Infrastructure
❗ EU Bolsters Submarine Cable Security with Action Plan and New Funding
In a response on 15 January 2026 to question E-004479/2025, Executive Vice-President Virkkunen confirmed that the Commission is implementing its Action Plan on Cable Security for critical communication and energy submarine cables. Concrete proposals for regional cable hubs to improve detection and repair operations are expected in 2026, with collaboration planned between Member States, EU agencies, NATO, and private partners. New funding calls are anticipated in 2026 under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) Digital and Digital Europe Programmes to support repair equipment and smart cable systems.
❓ Social and territorial fairness of the Emissions Trading System’s impacts on island Member States such as Malta
Daniel Attard (S&D) submitted a priority question on 6 January 2026, raising concerns about the extension of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to maritime transport. The inquiry (P-000018/2026) argues that for island Member States like Malta, which depend on maritime and air connectivity, the ETS will lead to unavoidable cost increases for households and workers. It asks how the Commission assesses these social and territorial impacts and what measures will be taken to protect island economies. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Increase of fuel prices in 2026: impact of EU legislation on households’ purchasing power
Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE) submitted a question on 18 December 2025, regarding the impact of the Energy Efficiency Directive on fuel prices. The inquiry (E-005007/2025) points to France’s energy savings certificate scheme, which implements the directive’s obligations and whose costs are reportedly passed on to consumers, potentially increasing fuel prices. It asks if the Commission has assessed the social impacts of these obligations and how it will ensure they do not adversely affect citizens’ purchasing power. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Defends German Coal-Exit Compensation Amid ‘Double Standards’ Accusation
Piotr Müller (ECR) submitted a question on 2 October 2025 (E-003852/2025) accusing the Commission of double standards for approving billions in compensation for the closure of German lignite power plants that were later reactivated during the energy crisis. In a response on 13 January 2026, Executive Vice-President Ribera clarified that two separate State aid measures were approved. The first, in 2016, compensated for mothballing plants before their permanent closure. The second, in 2022, was a temporary measure to remedy a serious disturbance in the German economy by allowing some of these plants to return to the market until March 2024. The Commission assessed that there was no overlap in compensation as the eligible costs were different.
❗ Just Transition Mechanism and Future Funding Flexibility
In a response on 13 January 2026 to question E-004570/2025, Executive Vice-President Fitto reiterated the Commission’s commitment to a just transition, highlighting the EUR 55 billion allocated through the Just Transition Mechanism for 2021-2027. The Commission’s proposal for the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework continues this focus. It was noted that new National and Regional Partnership Plans will introduce greater flexibility, enabling Member States to design strategies that support carbon-intensive industrial centres not currently covered by the Just Transition Fund.
❗ Commission to Assess Proposed Revisions to Greek Recovery and Resilience Plan
In a response on 16 January 2026 to question E-004028/2025, Commissioner Jørgensen confirmed the Commission is assessing a proposal from Greece, submitted on 3 November 2025, to revise its Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP). While unable to comment on specifics during the assessment, the Commission acknowledged that tight implementation deadlines might justify removing or re-scoping measures due to objective circumstances, as long as the plan’s overall ambition is maintained. The Commission also encouraged Greece to use complementary EU funds for any investment measures that may be removed from the RRP.
❗ Commission Details EU Climate Finance for Developing Countries
In a response on 13 January 2026 to question E-004534/2025, Commissioner Hoekstra reported that the total climate finance committed by the Commission to non-EU countries between 2019 and 2024 amounts to approximately EUR 19.4 billion. This funding is allocated through the EU’s external instruments, with the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI)-Global Europe having a 30% climate spending target. The Commission tracks project objectives using its own methodologies and internationally agreed OECD Rio Markers, and a database of projects is publicly available.
❓ Incomplete refrigeration cabinets and the Ecodesign Directive
Andreas Glück (Renew) submitted a question on 8 January 2026 (E-000046/2026) challenging a Commission interpretation of the Ecodesign Directive. The inquiry concerns the common practice of supermarkets ordering refrigerator bodies and doors separately for on-site assembly. It questions why an incomplete refrigerator body must comply with ecodesign requirements on its own, even though the final, assembled unit with doors is compliant and often more energy-efficient, arguing this interpretation harms innovative component manufacturers. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ CBAM and fertilisers
Daniel Buda (PPE) submitted a question on 18 December 2025, expressing concern over the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The inquiry (E-005009/2025) warns that the proposed default emission values for imports are too low, potentially disadvantaging European producers and creating market distortions. It asks how the Commission will ensure a level playing field, whether it will revise the values, and what guarantees it can provide that the fertiliser market will remain affordable for farmers to protect food security. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Outlines Enforcement for Effort Sharing Regulation Targets
In a response on 13 January 2026 to question E-004285/2025, Commissioner Hoekstra detailed the compliance mechanism for the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR). If a Member State exceeds its annual emissions limit, a penalty is applied by adding 1.08 times the excess emissions to the following year’s reduction requirement. For failure to meet the final 2030 target, the Commission can initiate a formal infringement procedure, which could lead to the case being brought before the Court of Justice of the European Union and potential financial penalties. The Commission has no plans to propose a legislative amendment for direct financial penalties for ESR non-compliance.
❗ Commission Amends ETS State aid Guidelines to Include Glass Manufacturing
In a response on 13 January 2026 to question E-004068/2025, Executive Vice-President Ribera confirmed that on 23 December 2025, the Commission adopted a targeted amendment to the ETS State aid Guidelines. This amendment expanded the list of eligible sectors to include the manufacturing of glass fibres, flat glass, and hollow glass, acknowledging that the risk of carbon leakage has genuinely increased for these industries based on criteria of trade and indirect emission intensity.
❗ Commission Confident in Euro 7 Implementation Timeline
In a response on 13 January 2026 to question E-004225/2025, Executive Vice-President Séjourné assured that the implementation timeline for the second package of Euro 7 acts remains achievable. The technical content for new requirements on brake particle emissions and battery durability was endorsed at the UN level in October 2025, providing clarity for manufacturers. The Commission will work to adopt the secondary legislation as soon as possible after the formal adoption of the new UN Regulations, expected in March 2026.
❓ Monitoring and data in relation to the EU’s annual consumption of strategic raw materials and the end uses of these materials
Martin Günther (The Left) submitted a question on 17 December 2025 (E-004990/2025) regarding the data needed to assess progress towards the benchmarks set in the Critical Raw Materials Act. The inquiry asks if the Commission tracks total annual consumption volumes of strategic raw materials, if it collects data on their end uses and sectoral allocation (including for the defence industry), and where this data is published. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission’s RESourceEU Action Plan to Tackle Critical Raw Material Dependencies
In a response on 13 January 2026 to question E-004320/2025, Commissioner Kubilius stated that the Commission takes the risk of dependency on China for critical raw materials (CRMs) seriously. To address this, the Commission adopted the RESourceEU Action Plan on 3 December 2025, which aims to secure access to alternative sources of CRMs. The plan includes a new financing hub to de-risk investment, adjustments to the EU regulatory framework on permitting, and continued work on partnerships with resource-rich countries, all of which are considered instrumental for strengthening EU defence capabilities.
❓ Safeguards for European farmers in the context of the EU-Mercosur Agreement
Victor Negrescu (S&D) submitted a priority question on 13 January 2026, calling for clear safeguards for European farmers ahead of the finalisation of the EU-Mercosur Agreement. The inquiry (P-000095/2026) asks what rapid operational mechanism the Commission will apply to activate safeguard clauses in case of market disturbances and how it will ensure genuine and verifiable reciprocity of production standards for imported products, including on pesticides, traceability, and animal welfare. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ EU Details Extensive Energy Support for Ukraine Amidst Infrastructure Attacks
In response to a question from Liudas Mažylis (PPE) submitted on 11 November 2025 (E-004463/2025), Commissioner Kos detailed the EU’s comprehensive support for Ukraine’s energy sector on 13 January 2026. Since February 2022, the EU has provided over EUR 3 billion to strengthen Ukraine’s energy security. Assistance is delivered through mechanisms like the EU Civil Protection Mechanism for in-kind donations and the Ukraine Facility for urgent repairs. The Commission also noted that work has begun on a 20th sanctions package against Russia.
❗ EU Affirms Use of Trade Defence Instruments to Counter Unfair Competition
In a response on 13 January 2026 to question E-004376/2025, Commissioner Hansen affirmed that the EU has trade defence instruments to protect its industries from unfair competition. There are currently more than 200 measures in place, with about two-thirds concerning imports from China, protecting over 600,000 jobs. The Commission is obliged to launch anti-dumping or anti-subsidy investigations upon receiving a valid complaint from EU industry and will continue to engage with China to address trade imbalances.
