14/11/2025
EU Insight 14 November 2025
Brussels, 14 November 2025
EU BACKS GLOBAL CARBON MARKETS AND GENDER EQUAL CLIMATE ACTION
At COP30 in Belém, the European Union joined Brazil and other partners in endorsing the Leaders’ Declaration on Carbon Markets. The initiative aims to promote robust and transparent carbon pricing, as well as facilitate cooperation on emissions reduction globally. Notably, the EU emphasised its experience with the Emissions Trading System and encouraged more countries to launch domestic carbon markets. The EU also endorsed a Global Statement on Gender Equality and Climate Action, supporting a stronger Gender Action Plan to increase women’s participation and ensure inclusive and equitable climate initiatives. In the coming days, discussions will continue on forest protection, climate finance, support for climate-vulnerable regions and ways to advance information integrity, transparency, and innovation.
EPP VOTES WITH FAR RIGHT TO WATER DOWN CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY RULES
After coalition talks between the usual centrist groups collapsed, the EPP secured a negotiating mandate for the Corporate Sustainability Omnibus during a second vote in plenary with the support of ECR and the far-right groups PfE and ESN. The adopted position substantially narrows the scope of requirements for corporate sustainability reporting, notably raising the thresholds to 1,750 employees and €450 million turnover, and due diligence obligations now applying only to companies with over 5,000 employees and €1.5 billion turnover. The EPP-led coalition’s mandate is seen as fragile, with trilogue negotiations set to begin in November. This shift in Parliamentary alliances toward the far-right may have repercussions for the overall future of Parliament policymaking.
COMMISSION PRESENTS AWAITED EUROPEAN DEMOCRACY SHIELD
The Commission has unveiled its European Democracy Shield along an EU strategy for civil society. Announced in President von der Leyen’s State of the Union address, the Shield aims to counter democratic backsliding, disinformation and foreign interference. The framework focuses on protecting the integrity of information, strengthening institutions and independent media, and increasing societal resilience and citizen engagement. As such, the Commission proposes the creation of a European network of fact-checkers, a new media resilience programme, and a new European Centre for Democratic Resilience to coordinate responses to threats and support Member States. The accompanying strategy sets out measures to enhance engagement, protection and funding for civil society organisations across the EU.
COMMISSION UNVEILS A CULTURE COMPASS FOR EUROPE
The Commission has published a Culture Compass for Europe to provide strategic direction for cultural policy across the EU. Framing culture as a unifying factor, the initiative introduces measures such as investment incentives, a new EU performing arts prize and guidance for private financing. The strategy is built on four main pillars: (i) promoting cultural rights and values, (ii) supporting cultural professionals and artists, (iii) using culture for competitiveness and social cohesion, and (iv) strengthening international cultural relations. The implementation of the compass will involve a joint declaration with the co-legislators, as well as future policy work informed by a planned State of Culture report and initiatives within the next Multiannual Financial Framework.
COUNCIL AND PARLIAMENT REACH AGREEMENT ON AGRICULTURAL POLICY SIMPLIFICATION
Co-legislators have reached an agreement on the final contents of the Simplification package for the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The package, launched in May, is expected to save farmers and administrations up to €1.6 billion by easing burdens and compliance work, especially for small farmers and organic agriculture holdings. The agreed text retains the original Commission provision allowing crisis payments from Member States to farmers affected by climactic and catastrophic events. The agreement also grants regulators more discretion on compliance with environmental standards, expands access to risk management tools and increases advance direct payments. The legislative act now awaits final approval by Member States and MEPs.
COMMISSION SENDS ADDITIONAL HUMANITARIAN AID TO SUDAN
The Commission increased its humanitarian assistance for Sudan by €1 million, reaching €273 million in 2025. The emergency aid comes after El Fasher fell into the hands of the Rapid Support Forces and waves of refugees are fleeing the town to other parts of North Darfur. The focus of the EU’s mission is the North Darfur region, where displaced people are seeking water, emergency shelter as well as hygiene and sanitation services. The civil war has been going on for years, with President Al-Bashir being ousted in 2019 and conflict escalating between the regular Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in 2023, displacing millions and causing a currently unknown extent of human suffering. The EU issued a statement in September, calling for a diplomatic resolution and international cooperation.
COMING UP NEXT WEEK
- 17 November: General Affairs Council. On the agenda: Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, EU-UK relations, rule of law.
- 17 November: Agriculture and Fisheries Council. On the agenda: Post 2027 Common Agricultural Policy, trade-related agricultural issues, fishing opportunities.
- 17-21 November: COP 30.
- 19 November: College of Commissioners. On the agenda: Defence package, Digital package, 2030 Consumer Agenda, Savings and Investment Union package.
- 20 November: Foreign Affairs Council. On the agenda: Russia’s war against Ukraine, Middle East, Sahel, Sudan.
- 22-23 November: G20 Summit.
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