This report covers recent parliamentary questions to the European Commission or their answers published between 3 and 9 November 2025 and focusing on key energy and climate policy areas. The inquiries address the implementation and financial implications of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS2) and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the development of critical energy infrastructure like the Great Sea Interconnector, and the decarbonisation challenges facing heavy industry. Further themes include Member State governance over national energy resources, including nuclear and hydrocarbons, and the EU’s energy security in relation to external partners such as Azerbaijan and Russia. Of the 21 questions covered in this report, 11 have received a response from the Commission, while 10 are awaiting an answer.
❗ Hydropower and Water Framework Directive Implementation in Germany
In E-003758/25, Niclas Herbst (PPE) on 28 September 2025 questioned the Commission on the slow implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive in Germany, particularly regarding river passability for fish being obstructed by hydropower interests. In a response on 4 November 2025, Commissioner Roswall acknowledged the slow overall progress and noted that the country-specific assessment for Germany lists hydropower as a pressure on ecological status. The Commission confirmed it will launch a structured dialogue with Germany before the end of 2025 to accelerate implementation and is not planning to revise existing guidelines on hydropower requirements.
❗ Great Sea Interconnector and Cyprus’s Energy Isolation
The Commission was questioned on its support for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) to end Cyprus’s energy isolation. In a response on 7 November 2025 to question E-003419/25, Commissioner Jørgensen described the GSI as a project of strategic importance and a Project of Common Interest (PCI). He confirmed the project has been allocated a EUR 657 million grant under the Connecting Europe Facility and a EUR 100 million loan via the Cypriot Recovery and Resilience Plan, for which no payment request has yet been received. The Commission reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the sovereign rights of all Member States in the Eastern Mediterranean.
❓ Standardised Controls for Electrical Appliances
In E-004217/2025, Morten Løkkegaard (Renew) on 27 October 2025 asked the Commission to assess the benefits of a pan-European standard for interfaces and protocols for the automatic control of large electrical appliances, such as electric cars and heat pumps. The inquiry seeks to understand how such a standard could help consumers use electricity when it is cheapest and support grid stability, and whether the Commission will explore a regulatory framework for it. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Support for Cyprus as an Island Member State
In E-004216/2025, Loucas Fourlas (PPE) on 27 October 2025 asked the Commission about specific initiatives and targeted aid for Cyprus to address the structural challenges it faces as an island Member State in areas like transport, energy security, and healthcare. The question highlights that Cyprus’s needs are often underrepresented in EU financial tools and policies. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Clarity on Electricity Contract Termination Fees
In response to question E-002706/25 regarding early termination fees for electricity contracts, Commissioner Jørgensen on 7 November 2025 clarified the Commission’s position. The response states that ‘Direct economic loss’ should only cover costs directly incurred by suppliers, such as administrative costs, and not future possible profit loss. The burden of proof lies with the supplier, and national regulatory authorities are responsible for monitoring such fees. The Commission confirmed it is currently assessing the transposition of the Electricity Directive in all Member States, including Latvia.
❓ ETS2 System Objectives and Costs
In E-004201/2025, Jacek Ozdoba (ECR) on 24 October 2025 asked the Commission for specific environmental objectives, figures, and dates related to the entry into force of the ETS2 system. The MEP also requested information on the total expenditure for implementing the system in Member States and whether the Commission believes ETS2 will boost EU economic competitiveness against countries like China or the USA. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Legal Implications of Delayed CBAM Certificate Sales
In E-004248/2025, Fernand Kartheiser (NI) and Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă (NI) on 29 October 2025 raised concerns about the legal and commercial uncertainty for companies due to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) certificates for 2026 emissions only being sold retroactively in 2027. The MEPs questioned how companies can act in a legally compliant manner and how the Commission will ensure WTO compatibility given these issues. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Spain’s Social Climate Plan and ETS 2 Transposition
In E-004267/2025, Francisco José Millán Mon (PPE) and Adrián Vázquez Lázara (PPE) on 30 October 2025 questioned the Commission about the Spanish Government’s failure to submit its Social Climate Plan and transpose the ETS 2 Directive. The MEPs asked how the Commission will ensure Spain fulfils its obligations and guarantees that funds from the Social Climate Fund reach the intended regions and citizens, given that delays could jeopardise access to this funding. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Clarification on CBAM Rules from January 2026
In E-004234/2025, Magdalena Adamowicz (PPE) on 28 October 2025 requested clarification on the practical operation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from 1 January 2026 on behalf of Polish industrial and construction businesses. The questions concern the frequency and method for purchasing CBAM certificates, whether the obligation will be introduced gradually, and how the certificate price will be determined. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Relationship Between Steel Tariffs and CBAM
In E-004266/2025, Sofie Eriksson (S&D) on 30 October 2025 asked the Commission to clarify the relationship between the proposed regulation on steel overcapacity and the CBAM. The inquiry seeks to understand if importers might have to pay fees under both mechanisms for the same products and requests an analysis of which products are covered by both sets of rules to increase predictability for businesses. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Net Cost of NextGenerationEU for France
In E-004269/2025, Jordan Bardella (PfE) on 30 October 2025 asked the Commission for its assessment of the final net cost of the NextGenerationEU recovery plan for France. The question requests a calculation that takes into account the funds France has received, the total amount to be repaid, and the estimated interest on the loans. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Member States’ Rights on Nuclear Energy Policy
In response to question E-002562/25, Commissioner Jørgensen on 3 November 2025 affirmed that each Member State has the right to determine its own energy mix, in line with Article 194 of the TFEU. The answer explains that nuclear energy activities are classified as ‘transitional’ under the EU Taxonomy because technologically and economically feasible low-carbon alternatives are not yet available at a sufficient scale. The Commission monitors Member States’ progress towards EU climate targets through their National Energy and Climate Plans.
❗ National Sovereignty Over Hydrocarbon Resources
Regarding the exploitation of hydrocarbon resources, Commissioner Jørgensen on 7 November 2025, in response to question E-003614/25, reiterated that Member States have the full right to determine the conditions for exploiting their energy resources under Article 194 of the TFEU. The EU legal framework, based on the Hydrocarbons Directive (94/22/EC), underlines these sovereign rights. The Commission can only intervene in cases where this legal framework is not correctly implemented.
❓ Alleged Chinese Influence on EU Climate Policy
In E-004202/2025, Christine Anderson (ESN) on 24 October 2025 raised concerns about potential Chinese state influence on EU climate policy via state-linked environmental organisations (GONGOs). The MEP asked how the Commission ensures such entities do not influence policymaking, whether it plans a screening mechanism to exclude them from consultations, and if it will re-evaluate partnerships with NGOs funded by foreign state-affiliated foundations. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Financial Support for Decarbonisation of Soda Ash Production
In E-003502/25, Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz (PPE) and Krzysztof Brejza (PPE) on 10 September 2025 asked about dedicated financial support for the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors like soda ash production. In his reply on 4 November 2025, Commissioner Hoekstra announced the Industrial Decarbonisation Bank, which will aim to fund the deployment of decarbonised technologies with EUR 100 billion. He also noted that a pilot auction under the Innovation Fund for decarbonising industrial process heat will open at the end of 2025, and highlighted that the EU soda ash sector already receives a higher share of free allowances under the ETS to address carbon leakage risk.
❗ Cohesion Policy Support for Automotive Sector Transition
In response to question E-003601/25 about support for the automotive sector, Executive Vice-President Fitto on 31 October 2025 outlined that Cohesion Policy for 2021-2027 supports the sector through investments in alternative fuels infrastructure, R&I, and strategic technologies via the STEP platform. The Commission has also proposed targeted amendments to the European Globalisation Fund (EGF) and European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) to help workers and companies navigate restructuring processes.
❓ Real-World Emissions of Plug-in Hybrids
In E-004213/2025, César Luena (S&D) on 27 October 2025 questioned the compatibility of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) with EU climate targets, citing a report showing their real-world emissions are significantly higher than official figures. The MEP asked if the Commission will review the methodology for measuring emissions and whether continuing to classify PHEVs as ‘low-emission vehicles’ is consistent with the 2035 phase-out of combustion engines. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ EU Actions to Secure Shipping and Gas Supplies
In response to question E-002695/25 concerning security in the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on energy supplies, Commissioner Tzitzikostas on 6 November 2025 detailed the actions taken. These include the EU Naval Force Operation ASPIDES to protect commercial shipping and coordination with international gas suppliers to replace missing volumes. The Commissioner also highlighted the prolonged Gas Storage Regulation, which requires Member States to reach 90% gas storage annually, confirming the resilience of EU infrastructure.
❗ Source of Gas Imported from Azerbaijan
In E-003783/25, Jean-Paul Garraud (PfE) on 29 September 2025 asked if the Commission acknowledges that some gas purchased from Azerbaijan originates from Russia. In a reply on 6 November 2025, Commissioner Jørgensen stated that the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) is exclusively connected to Azerbaijani gas fields and does not facilitate the transport of Russian gas to the EU. He noted that Azerbaijan’s imports of Russian gas for domestic use were minimal and decreasing, while its exports to the EU have increased by over 40% since 2021, contributing to the REPowerEU objective of eliminating dependency on Russian fossil fuels.
❗ Sanctions Against Russia and EU Defence Readiness
In P-003780/25, a cross-party group of MEPs led by Mirosława Nykiel (PPE) on 29 September 2025 asked about new sanctions against Russia and measures to strengthen EU defence. In a response on 4 November 2025, High Representative/Vice-President Kallas confirmed that 19 sanctions packages are already hitting Russia’s economy and that the EU has provided EUR 63.2 billion in military support to Ukraine. The Commission considers boosting defence readiness a key priority, proposing an EU crisis coordination hub and the ReArm Europe Plan to unlock up to EUR 800 billion in additional resources.
❗ Climate Impact of Increased Military Spending
In E-003567/25, Giorgos Georgiou (The Left) on 16 September 2025 questioned the climate impact of increased military spending by EU and NATO members. In a response on 4 November 2025, Commissioner Hoekstra referenced the Joint Communication on the Climate-Security Nexus, stating that integrating climate and defence concerns can advance economic and environmental objectives. He clarified that since national defence budgets are a Member State competence, they do not fall under the Commission’s impact assessment policy, but argued that innovation in the defence sector could foster high-quality jobs and enhance EU economic resilience.
