Overview
This report covers Parliamentary Questions or answers published between Monday 22 and Sunday 28 December 2025. Key themes addressed by Members of the European Parliament and the Commission include the development of energy infrastructure and grids, the financial and market implications of climate policies like the ETS2 and CBAM, industrial strategy concerning raw materials and supply chains, regulatory matters such as ecodesign and vehicle CO2 standards, and issues of energy security and external partnerships. Of the 14 questions covered in this report, 8 have received a response from the Commission, while 6 are still pending an answer.
❗ EU Grid Modernisation and Electrification Targets
In response to a question concerning the EU’s electricity infrastructure (E-003876/2025), the Commission highlighted the need to increase the EU’s electrification rate from 21.3% to 32% by 2030, which necessitates significant grid investment to address aging infrastructure and connection queues. In a response on 22 December 2025, Commissioner Jørgensen confirmed that a European Grids Package will be proposed by the end of 2025 to improve planning and permitting. The response also noted the role of nuclear energy, supported by the new Nuclear Illustrative Programme, and stressed the need to balance grid development with environmental protection under existing EU laws.
❗ Alpine Transport Corridors and Infrastructure Funding
Regarding transport infrastructure in the Alps (E-003515/2025), the Commission stated its view that a common package of measures is the best long-term solution for the Brenner motorway and that it is ready to resume negotiations. In a response on 23 December 2025, Commissioner Tzitzikostas clarified that recent closures of the Mont Blanc and Fréjus tunnels were for necessary safety and maintenance works that will benefit the single market long-term. The Commission supports coordination among Alpine states for such works but does not plan to revise the Transport Protocol of the Alpine Convention. Future funding for trans-Alpine corridors will continue through competitive calls under the proposed Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme for 2028–2034, which has a transport budget of EUR 51.515 billion.
❗ Fiscal Implications of ETS2 Revenue Mobilisation
The Commission clarified the accounting rules for revenues from the new Emissions Trading System for buildings and road transport (ETS2) in a question on its fiscal impact (E-004097/2025). In a response on 22 December 2025, Commissioner Hoekstra explained that while cash revenues will be available in 2027, they are officially recorded as government revenue when allowances are surrendered. This may cause a temporary increase in government deficits in 2027, but the reformed EU fiscal rules’ medium-term approach is designed to handle such fluctuations. The Commission is proposing to start auctioning ETS2 allowances before the market’s 2028 start to ensure national resources can be quickly mobilised to support decarbonisation and protect vulnerable consumers.
❓ Impact of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on Fertiliser Market
In question E-004930/2025, submitted by Galato Alexandraki (ECR) on 12 December 2025, concerns were raised about the full implementation of the CBAM from 1 January 2026, citing uncertainty in the fertiliser market and threats to the competitiveness of European agriculture. The MEP highlights the lack of published benchmarks and rules, and the potential 20-30% cost increase for farmers, asking how the Commission will address price uncertainty, whether a postponement or transition period for the sector is being considered, and if support measures for farmers are planned. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Ecodesign Requirements for Solid Fuel Heaters and Treatment of Wood as Fuel
Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska (PPE), Borys Budka (PPE), and Andrzej Halicki (PPE) submitted a question on 10 November 2025 (E-004432/2025) regarding the Commission’s revision of Regulation (EU) 2015/1185 on ecodesign for solid fuel local space heaters. They argue it lacks a prior impact assessment and could impose disproportionate costs, limit affordable heating, and deepen energy poverty. The MEPs ask the Commission to justify treating wood, a renewable resource, on par with fossil fuels and to consider promoting user education on proper burning techniques as a more effective alternative to further regulatory restrictions. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Review of CO2 Standards for Cars and Vans
In response to a query on vehicle emissions (E-003983/2025), the Commission confirmed it has accelerated its review of CO2 standards for light-duty vehicles, which will be based on a fact-based analysis of all relevant technological developments. In a response on 22 December 2025, Commissioner Hoekstra stated the review will consider plug-in hybrids, sustainable fuels, and the need for a socially fair transition, while also assessing the competitiveness of the EU automotive industry. An inclusive public consultation has been completed, and the feedback is being analysed to inform the ongoing work, but the Commission cannot prejudge the outcome of the review.
❗ Permitting for Strategic Raw Materials Projects Under CRMA
The Commission addressed the balance between securing critical raw materials and environmental protection in its answer to question E-003833/2025. In a response on 23 December 2025, Executive Vice-President Séjourné explained that under the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), strategic projects can be considered of ‘overriding public interest’. This allows national authorities, on a case-by-case basis, to authorise projects with adverse environmental impacts if the public interest served by the project is deemed to outweigh them. To support implementation, the Commission will issue guidance on environmental permitting in Q1 2026 and will review the Water Framework Directive by Q2 2026.
❓ Transparency and Sustainability of Tech Companies’ Data Centres
Nicolás González Casares (S&D) submitted question E-004928/2025 on 12 December 2025, highlighting the growing electricity consumption of data centres and AI, which threatens the EU’s decarbonisation goals. Citing media reports of tech companies pressuring renewable energy organisations to relax disclosure rules, the MEP asks if the Commission is aware of this pressure, how it will ensure independent verification of sustainability claims to prevent greenwashing, and whether it will introduce additional transparency obligations for data centres in its 2026 work programme. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Trade Defence and Worker Support in the Silicon and Ferro-Alloy Sector
In its reply to question E-004312/2025, the Commission explained its decision to exclude silicon metal from the scope of a safeguard investigation on manganese- and silicon-based alloys initiated in December 2024. In a response on 23 December 2025, Executive Vice-President Séjourné stated the investigation found that silicon metal does not directly compete with ferro-alloys and its imports had decreased, meaning the conditions for safeguard measures were not met. The response also noted that the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) can currently only intervene after redundancies are confirmed, but a proposal to allow anticipatory support is under discussion. Additionally, the Clean Industrial State Aid Framework (CISAF) provides tools for Member States to support the production of net-zero products and critical raw materials.
❗ Safeguards on Horizon Europe Funding for Automotive Research
The Commission addressed concerns regarding Horizon Europe (HE) funding for the automotive industry involving non-EU countries in its answer to E-004125/2025. In a response on 22 December 2025, Commissioner Zaharieva clarified that funding is allocated competitively and that associated countries like Türkiye pay for their entities’ participation, with Turkish entities having received approximately EUR 320 million so far. The Commission highlighted that HE contains safeguards to protect EU interests, allowing it to limit cooperation or object to the transfer of results if it conflicts with the EU’s strategic autonomy or security. The upcoming Framework Programme 10 and the European Competitiveness Fund will further strengthen these measures.
❓ Standardisation of Charging Plugs for E-Bikes and Light Electric Vehicles
In question E-004909/2025, submitted by Martin Günther (The Left) on 11 December 2025, the issue of proprietary charging systems for electric bicycles and light means of transport (LMT) was raised. The MEP argues that the lack of a common standard hinders public charging infrastructure, increases costs, creates safety risks, and generates e-waste. The question asks if the Commission recognises the need for a standardised charging interface, whether it will introduce a mandatory standard via regulations like Ecodesign or the Batteries Regulation, and what timeline it envisages for addressing this issue. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ German State Aid for LNG Terminals and Fossil Fuel Dependency
Martin Günther (The Left) submitted question E-004918/2025 on 11 December 2025, challenging the Commission’s approval of EUR 4.06 billion in German State aid for four floating LNG terminals. The MEP asks if subsidising fossil fuel infrastructure is consistent with the European Green Deal, why it is acceptable to socialise the costs of LNG terminals while energy companies make record profits, and what specific indicators the Commission uses to justify such aid under Article 107(3)(b) TFEU for remedying serious economic disturbances. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Transparency of Global Gateway Funding for Africa
On 17 October 2025, Thierry Mariani (PfE) submitted question E-004111/2025, raising concerns about the transparency and actual disbursement of funds under the Global Gateway programme, which pledged EUR 150 billion to Africa by 2027. The MEP notes that stakeholders are struggling to understand the procedures and the distinction between commitments and actual investments, which undermines the programme’s credibility. The question asks when and how the Commission intends to disclose the actual amount of funds and credits committed out of the EUR 150 billion promised to Africa. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ EU Stance on Gas Exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean
In its response to question E-004122/2025, the Commission confirmed its awareness of gas exploration concessions in the Eastern Mediterranean and reiterated the EU’s strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the region. In a response on 22 December 2025, High Representative/Vice-President Kallas stated that regional cooperation must be developed in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The response also addressed the situation in Gaza, calling on Israel to adhere to international humanitarian law and confirming that the EU is committed to a two-state solution.
