This report covers parliamentary questions submitted and answered between Monday 20 October and Sunday 26 October 2025. The 20 questions analysed reveal significant MEP focus on the EU’s energy and industrial policy, with key themes including the scale-up of renewables like bio-LNG and hydrogen, the financing and development of energy grids, and the competitiveness of energy-intensive industries under the EU ETS. MEPs also scrutinised the EU’s external energy partnerships, particularly with the US, and the governance of climate and finance regulations such as the EU Taxonomy and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Of the 20 questions covered, 8 have received a response from the European Commission, while 12 are awaiting an answer.
❓ Ensuring a level playing field for bio-LNG in the EU
Sander Smit (PPE) submitted E-004017/2025 on 13 October 2025, asking the Commission to confirm that EU law permits the use of the mass balance system for bio-LNG across the gas grid and LNG terminals. The question highlights that the Netherlands restricts these routes, unlike other Member States, creating potential market distortions, and asks what measures the Commission will take to ensure a harmonised application of the system to scale up renewable fuels in transport. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Updated Renewable Energy Directive Annex for Biomethane
In a response on 20 October 2025, Commissioner Jørgensen addressed a question concerning the revision of Annex VI of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III). The answer, related to E-003253/2025, confirmed that public consultations are planned for 2025 and that the updated Annex is expected to include typical and default values for the liquefaction of biomethane. The Commission also expects to maintain the current life-cycle approach for calculating carbon intensity, ensuring alignment with the principles of RED II.
❗ Commission Addresses Declining Forest Carbon Sink
Responding to concerns about the declining trend of the EU’s annual forest carbon sink, Commissioner Hoekstra stated on 20 October 2025 that an evaluation of the LULUCF Regulation is underway to understand the driving factors, such as climate-induced natural disturbances. The answer to E-003291/2025 highlighted initiatives like the Carbon Removal Certification Framework and the Nature Restoration Regulation as measures to strengthen incentives for enhancing forest sinks. The Commission also noted its major concerns with the Council’s position on the proposed Forest Monitoring Law, suggesting it may consider withdrawing the proposal.
❓ MEP Questions Rationale for EUR 2 Trillion Grid Investment
On 2 October 2025, Sarah Knafo (ESN) submitted E-003876/2025, questioning the justification for the Commission’s plan to invest EUR 2 trillion in Europe’s power grids by 2050, given stagnant electricity consumption. The MEP asks if these investments are a reaction to the intermittency of renewables rather than rational planning, whether greater importance will be given to nuclear power to limit new infrastructure needs, and how the Commission will balance grid construction with landscape protection. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Scrutiny on Stalled Cyprus-Greece Electricity Interconnector
Michalis Hadjipantela (PPE) asked the Commission on 23 September 2025 about the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project intended to end the energy isolation of Cyprus. In E-003673/2025, the MEP queries if the Commission plans an updated cost-benefit analysis, if it will publish a viability analysis amid rising costs and geopolitical obstacles, and what solutions are available to ensure the project’s construction and operation. A response from the Commission is pending.
Hydrogen & Power-to-X
❗ Commission Awaits IPCC Guidance on Hydrogen’s Global Warming Potential
In a response on 24 October 2025 to question E-002566/2025, Commissioner Jørgensen acknowledged the importance of addressing hydrogen leakage. The Commission noted that while its Joint Research Centre is assessing the issue, a Global Warming Potential (GWP) value for hydrogen has not been included in methodologies for renewable and low-carbon fuels because the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has not yet established a reference value. The Commission will proceed with a technical update of relevant legislation once a GWP value is established by an authoritative source like the IPCC.
❗ Just Transition Mechanism Funding in Western Macedonia Detailed
Executive Vice-President Fitto, on 20 October 2025, provided details on Just Transition Mechanism (JTM) projects in Western Macedonia, Greece, in response to E-000517/2025. Under pillar II, a EUR 40 million project for three solar power plants is underway, with another EUR 195 million EIB investment in the same domain. Under pillar III, a project involving energy efficiency and renewables integration, supported by a EUR 14 million EU grant and a EUR 58 million EIB loan, is being implemented. An additional multi-sectoral grant application for EUR 19.8 million was under evaluation.
❓ MEP Questions EIB Funding Priorities and Lack of Nuclear Support
In E-003875/2025, submitted on 2 October 2025, Sarah Knafo (ESN) questioned the appropriateness of the European Investment Bank (EIB) financing projects outside the EU while the Union’s debt is at historic levels. The MEP also asked how the Commission could help revise EIB priorities to channel more funds into European industrial competitiveness and energy independence, including greater support for nuclear power, which receives scant support despite climate action absorbing 57% of EIB funds. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Concerns Raised Over Delays in Greece’s RRF Project Implementation
Sakis Arnaoutoglou (S&D) raised concerns on 15 October 2025 about significant delays in Greece’s absorption of Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) funds. The question, E-004045/2025, highlights that major projects like Crete’s northern highway and a hydrogen project are at risk of not being completed by the 2026 deadline. The MEP asks the Commission for data on absorbed funds, a list of delayed projects, and what actions it has taken to prevent the loss of funding. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Integrity of EU Green Taxonomy Questioned Over Proposed Changes
On 13 October 2025, César Luena (S&D) submitted E-004007/2025, expressing alarm over proposed amendments to a delegated act under the Taxonomy Regulation. The question focuses on the relaxation of ‘do no significant harm’ criteria, the removal of references to the REACH Regulation, the elimination of specific reporting templates for fossil fuels and nuclear, and the introduction of a 10% materiality threshold, asking how the Commission will ensure these changes do not undermine the framework’s integrity and transparency. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Commission Probed on Fossil Fuel Lobbyist Access to COP30
A group of MEPs from the Greens/ALE and The Left groups submitted E-003971/2025 on 8 October 2025, asking the Commission about the allocation of EU badges for the upcoming UN COP30 Climate Change Conference. Citing reports of large numbers of fossil fuel lobbyists at previous COPs, the MEPs ask for a breakdown of badges allocated to EU staff versus non-party stakeholders, and specifically how many of the latter have been granted to individuals or organisations with financial links to the fossil fuel industry. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Call to Include Glass Industry in ETS State Aid Guidelines
Engin Eroglu and Christine Singer (Renew) asked the Commission on 15 October 2025 if it plans to explicitly include the glass industry in the upcoming revision of the ETS State Aid guidelines. In E-004068/2025, they argue that the energy-intensive sector faces high electricity costs, particularly as it transitions away from natural gas, and needs support to remain competitive and make decarbonisation economically viable. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Defends ETS Competitiveness Safeguards for Polish Industry
In response to P-003578/2025 from Tobiasz Bocheński (ECR) regarding high energy costs for Polish industry, Commissioner Hoekstra on 21 October 2025 outlined measures to protect competitiveness under the EU ETS. The Commission highlighted free allocation of allowances, investment support from the Innovation and Modernisation Funds, and state aid for indirect costs, noting Poland used EUR 615 million of its 2023 ETS revenues for this purpose. The response stressed that industrial competitiveness is driven by the energy transition and that the Commission is analysing how to adapt the ETS post-2030 while ensuring adequate protection remains in place.
❗ Commission Denies Conflict of Interest in Strategic Raw Materials Project Selection
Responding on 21 October 2025 to E-003475/2025 from Ana Miranda Paz (Verts/ALE), Executive Vice-President Séjourné addressed allegations of a conflict of interest in the selection of the Doade lithium mine in Spain as a Strategic Project under the Critical Raw Materials Act. The Commission asserted that the application was assessed by external experts with no conflicts of interest and that none were former directors of the project’s parent company or involved in its current management. The response detailed the robust procedures in place to ensure expert impartiality.
❗ Commission Clarifies EU-US Energy and Investment Agreement
On 22 October 2025, in response to E-003451/2025 from Barbara Bonte (PfE), Mr Šefčovič clarified the nature of a political agreement with the United States. The Commission explained that the referenced USD 600 billion represents envisaged private investments by EU companies in the US, not public EU funds. The USD 750 billion in energy purchases is an expected offtake through 2028, which the Commission can facilitate to support Member States’ energy security and complete the phase-out of Russian energy imports, thereby contributing to the EU’s strategic independence.
❓ MEP Seeks Clarity on EU-US Energy Deal’s Impact on Existing Contracts
Following up on the EU-US political agreement, Benoit Cassart (Renew) submitted E-003918/2025 on 7 October 2025. The question asks whether the Commission took existing contracts with other suppliers into consideration when agreeing to purchase USD 750 billion worth of US energy products, including LNG, oil, and nuclear fuels, over a three-year period. A response from the Commission is pending.
❗ Commission Defends CBAM Amid US Trade Tensions
In a 22 October 2025 reply to E-003488/2025 by Barbara Bonte (PfE), Mr Šefčovič addressed the potential for the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to heighten trade tensions with the US. The Commission stated its priority is restoring stability in the EU-US trade relationship, referencing a recent political agreement. It defended the CBAM as essential for reaching the EU’s climate targets and preventing carbon leakage, noting it was developed transparently and in compliance with international commitments. The EU also committed to providing additional implementation flexibilities for companies.
❓ MEP Questions Türkiye’s Potential Role in EU Defence Programme
Galato Alexandraki (ECR) on 30 September 2025 questioned the Commission on how it intends to respond to Türkiye’s expressed interest in participating in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence industry programme. In E-003787/2025, the MEP argues that Türkiye’s actions, including occupying part of a Member State and challenging European borders, should preclude its participation under the programme’s rules. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Scrutiny on EU-Indonesia Trade Deal’s Economic Balance
Barbara Bonte (PfE) submitted E-004002/2025 on 13 October 2025, criticising the recently concluded Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Indonesia as unbalanced. The MEP asks how the Commission can justify abolishing customs duties on 80% of Indonesian imports given the EU’s existing EUR 7.7 billion trade deficit, and questions whether the reduction in export duties on nickel and cobalt is sufficient to offset the concessions and reduce strategic dependence on China. A response from the Commission is pending.
❓ Commission Queried on Strategy for EU-China Trade Disputes
Amid escalating trade tensions, Benoit Cassart (Renew) asked the Commission on 15 October 2025 about its strategy for settling disputes with China. The question, E-004030/2025, notes China’s retaliatory investigations into European products following the EU’s imposition of taxes on Chinese electric vehicles, and asks if the Commission is considering a broader perspective to resolve the conflict that encompasses all ongoing issues. A response from the Commission is pending.
