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On 7 November 2024, Wopke Hoekstra, the Commissioner-designate for Climate, Net Zero, and Clean Growth, presented his vision for advancing Europe’s climate goals at a joint hearing of the European Parliament’s ENVI, ITRE, and ECON Committees. The hearing focused on Hoekstra's priorities and commitments regarding the EU’s climate targets, the economic implications of the green transition, and policy measures to ensure climate resilience.

Hoekstra emphasized the EU's target of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, affirming an intermediate objective of a 90% emissions reduction by 2040. He emphasized that the transition must be inclusive, supporting both businesses and citizens, and noted the importance of maintaining competitiveness while advancing climate action.

Hoekstra also reaffirmed his support for the 2035 ban on new combustion engines, describing it as critical for providing industry with the predictability needed to plan effectively. He committed to launching a European Climate Adaptation Plan aligned with the 2024 Climate Risk Assessment, focusing on building resilience in the face of increasing climate impacts. He further highlighted the need to integrate climate adaptation measures into the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and to progressively eliminate fossil fuel subsidies across the EU.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology was highlighted as essential for the decarbonization of heavy industry. Hoekstra also emphasized the role of natural carbon sinks in supporting the EU’s emissions targets. At the global level, he pledged to pursue ambitious climate negotiations and reiterated his support for carbon pricing and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) to mitigate carbon leakage.

In addition to his climate commitments, Hoekstra spoke on taxation, advocating for systems that align with EU climate objectives, address tax gaps, combat fraud, and foster international tax cooperation.

The Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament will make its final evaluation on 21 November, after which a vote by the European Parliament is scheduled for the 25-28 November plenary session. When approved the full college of Commissioners are expected to take office on 1 December.