Greek MEP Nikolas Farantouris, a member of the European Parliament’s Committees on Environment and Budgets, has submitted a set of three written questions to the European Commission regarding the environment and biodiversity.

“It’s time for the Commission to confront the significant delays in environmental legislation and the huge investment gap for the environment, water, and biodiversity,” said the Greek MEP from Brussels.

Farantouris is calling for the revision of the Commission’s proposal to abolish the autonomy of the emblematic LIFE programme, the EU’s only targeted funding instrument for environmental protection.

The MEP cites recent reports showing:

• inadequate implementation of EU environmental legislation, with an annual cost of €180 billion,
• an annual investment gap of €122 billion in environmental projects,
• and significant delays in meeting the EU’s 2030 environmental targets.

He also criticizes the Commission’s proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which would eliminate the independent status of the LIFE programme after 30 years of successful operation.

In light of these issues, MEP Farantouris is asking the Commission to:

a) Take measures to strengthen action on climate, the environment, and biodiversity, and address the multiple challenges identified by the European Environment Agency.

b) Implement measures to reinforce environmental legislation and close the investment gap for the environment and climate.

c) Provide tailored support to Member States, adapted to the specific environmental challenges each one faces.

d) Adopt measures to protect and support the most vulnerable regions and populations.

e) Restore the flagship LIFE programme and integrate it into new EU initiatives.

f) Include a dedicated climate programme in the next Multiannual Financial Framework.

g) Offer guarantees that EU funding for nature, biodiversity, and climate action will not be reduced or discontinued.

🇪🇺🌱 Δέσμη γραπτών ερωτήσεων κατέθεσα πριν λίγο προς την Κομισιόν για την #προστασία_του_περιβάλλοντος, το #νερό & τη #βιοποικιλότητα ως μέλος των επιτροπών Περιβάλλοντος & Προϋπολογισμών του Ευρ. Κοινοβουλίου. Η Κομισιόν πολλαπλώς εκτεθειμένη από καθυστερήσεις και αντιφάσεις: pic.twitter.com/5GSGW63n0V

— Νικόλας Φαραντούρης / Nikolas Farantouris (@NFarantouris) November 11, 2025