Ondřej Knotek
Philippe Buissin © European Union 2025 – Source : EP
The European Parliament’s lead negotiator on the EU’s 2040 climate target, Czech MEP Ondřej Knotek of the Patriots for Europe group, has officially called for the complete rejection of the European Commission’s proposed goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 90% compared to 1990 levels.
In a sharp departure from previous EU climate policymaking, Knotek’s motion challenges the very basis of the bloc’s environmental ambitions.
“The EU has already adopted binding targets for 2030 and 2050. Our key global competitors do not have the same approach. We are being forced to focus on climate adaptation while we should be talking about security, defence, and other important issues,” Ondřej Knotek told europeanconservative.com.
His draft report—seen by europeanconservative.com—was submitted to Parliament on Thursday, July 24th. It urges a halt to what he calls an “ideological experiment” and “damaging approach” that risks weakening Europe’s industrial base while delivering little impact on the global climate.
Knotek and the Patriots argue that the proposed 2040 target, while framed as a step toward climate neutrality, is in fact a costly and unproven gamble. “No major economy outside the EU has a similar legally binding target for 2040. The EU is once again trying to be a leader on the wrong path without others following suit,” Knotek noted.
Jako parlamentní zpravodaj Evropského parlamentu jsem dnes předložil odmítnutí návrhu, který by zrychlil Green Deal. Nový cíl by vedl k další ztrátě konkurenceschopnosti evropského průmyslu vůči světovým ekonomikám a domácnostem by výrazně zdražil život.
— Ondřej Knotek (@KnotekOndrej) July 24, 2025
Žádná významná ekonomika…
Critics from the political centre and the Left have called the rejection “destructive” and “economically illiterate.”
But Knotek has held firm:
We understand and support the need to respond appropriately to climate change. But we say clearly: Europe must not follow the path of unilateral, accelerated measures that threaten economic stability and people’s living standards.
The report states:
We need a strong economy with strong European companies so that we have our own high-quality products and sound public finances, which form the basis for focusing on current challenges such as increased needs to invest in security and defence due to the uncertain geopolitical situation and the fight against illegal migration.
Patriots for Europe took control of the climate file earlier this month through the Parliament’s internal bidding system.
In a press release, the Patriots said:
The EU’s recent climate strategy has already caused job losses, bankruptcies, and industry relocation, particularly in energy-intensive sectors. No other major economy has adopted comparable 2040 targets, and the EU risks weakening its economy while others advance competitively. The EU cannot afford massive spending on climate measures while cutting other vital areas.
🚨 | Families are struggling with rising bills, jobs are disappearing, and our industries are moving abroad — yet Brussels wants to push through another radical climate target. This 2040 plan doesn’t protect our future; it sacrifices it. We need policies that put people first —… pic.twitter.com/mFXW78XkH3
— Patriots for Europe (@PatriotsEP) July 24, 2025
Knotek emphasised the risks to competitiveness, especially for countries like the Czech Republic that still rely heavily on coal and face higher costs for the green transition. According to estimates cited by the MEP, the proposed target could raise household climate-related expenses by up to €3,700 per year.
The MEP told europeanconservative.com that stakeholders in the energy sector, in the chemical industry, in security, and defence are all worried, because the Commission “proposes basically nothing” on how it will protect the European economy and European households.
The draft report also casts doubt on the certainty of climate models, stating that “science is not unanimous” and warning against placing blind trust in long-term forecasts. Instead of mitigation, it calls for adaptation to climate change to become the EU’s primary focus.
While there is fierce opposition from Green and centrist MEPs in the European Parliament, Knotek’s rejection proposal has ignited a broader debate within the European People’s Party (EPP), which remains divided over whether to support the 90% target.
The EPP—made up of centre-right and liberal parties—has been reluctant to endorse the 2040 target but it doesn’t want to be seen cooperating with the Patriots, a grouping that the Brussels ruling elites consider to be “far right.”
Knotek’s attempt to reject the Commission’s climate targets is unlikely to succeed as his proposal will probably be overridden by amendments in the European Parliament.
Other MEPs now have until early September to submit amendments, with the environment committee set to vote later that month. If leftist and centrist MEPs manage to agree on an alternative position, their counterproposal could be adopted and brought before the full Parliament for a vote in October.
EU member states will also develop their respective positions on the proposal before entering final interinstitutional negotiations. According to Ondřej Knotek, among member states “there is neither a majority to have a 2040 climate target, neither a blocking minority.”
