“Green Barometer” has evaluated the offer and performance of European Parliament candidates in climate, nature and environmental policy

The “Green Barometer” initiative of Latvian environmental organizations has carried out an evaluation of the position of political parties and sustainability for the European Parliament elections. Most of the Latvian political parties, if elected, will not make a significant contribution to strengthening environmental sustainability policy at the European Union level, that is, it is not expected that these parties will take care of limiting climate change, preserving natural diversity and reducing environmental pollution. The highest number of points in this evaluation were received by Progresīvie and for the development of Latvia.

The “Green Barometer” evaluated nine political parties on a scale from zero to ten, which, according to the public opinion polls of the spring months, have the most realistic chances of entering the European Parliament – National Union NA), Saskaņu, Young Unity (JV), Progresīvos, Latvia First (LPV). , Stability, Development of Latvia (LA), United List (AS) and Green Farmers’ Union (ZZS).

The joint evaluation results highlight three main conclusions:

• First of all, it is expected that most of the political parties elected in Latvia will not make a significant contribution to strengthening the environmental sustainability policy at the European Union level. Most of the parties have an average rating of two points out of 10 in the area of ​​environmental sustainability – their programs show little commitment to developing climate, nature and environmental policy at the European Union level, and a large part of the parties will work in centrist-conservative party groups, which are skeptical of environmental sustainability questions.
• Secondly, a Latvian citizen with moderately conservative values ​​has no choice – it is impossible to find a suitable party that strongly advocates environmental sustainability – ZZS, AS and JV are rated with two points out of 10. Taking into account that at least two of these parties will work in case of election In the European People’s Party group, which has a pronounced voting discipline and is skeptical about environmental sustainability issues, it is expected that the performance of the elected Latvian MPs will be the same. The more difficult it is for a voter with strongly conservative values ​​to choose an environmentally friendly party – a supporter of NA and LPV.
• Thirdly, there are only two parties that are expected to stand up for the further development of sustainable politics in the European Parliament – Progressives (7 points) and for the Development of Latvia (4 points). As members of the European Green Party, progressives will be the most active promoters of climate, nature and environmental policy in the European Parliament. Latvian Development, as members of the Renew Europe party group, is also expected to provide moderately positive support in environmental sustainability issues.

The parties were evaluated according to their performance in the current term of the European Parliament, as well as according to their pre-election programs. First of all, the experts of environmental organizations used data on the votes of the members of the European Parliament in the 30 most important decisions affecting climate neutrality and the transition to renewable energy resources, nature protection and environmental pollution. Such an extensive database has been prepared by the largest European environmental organizations.1 For parties that are not represented in this convocation, the average vote for the group of parties to which the party has declared its affiliation was taken into account. In cases where the party has not yet declared its affiliation to a party group, the average vote in party groups was taken into account, which, according to environmental organization experts, the party is expected to join based on its ideological profile. Secondly, the political parties were also evaluated according to the manifesto published by the “Green Barometer” in March 2024.2 Environmental organization experts assessed the extent to which the parties’ programs contain positive references to climate neutrality, transition to renewable energy resources, improvement of energy efficiency, circular economy, sustainable natural resources management and conservation of natural diversity. Based on the mentioned criteria, “Green Barometer” evaluated each party on a scale from zero to ten.

For the next two weeks, on the social accounts of the “Green Barometer” organizations, a concise summary of one party’s environmental policy and a concise rating will be published every day, which explains the rating obtained by the party. More information will be available on the website zalaisbarometrs.lv

The “Green Barometer” initiative unites the Latvian Nature Foundation, the Latvian Ornithological Society, the World Wildlife Fund, the “Green Freedom” society and the Latvian Organic Agriculture Association. The evaluation of the “Green Barometer” EU elections was carried out with the support of the Society Integration Fund from Latvian state budget funds allocated by the Ministry of Culture.

European Parliament elections in Latvia will be held on June 8, 2024.

1 European Environmental Bureau, WWF European Policy Office, BirdLife Europe, Climate Action Network and Transportation and Environment. Voting data available here: https://caneurope.org/eu-parliament-scoreboard-protectors-procrastinators-prehistoric-thinkers/

2 https://www.zalais-barometrs.lv/lv/zinas/133

This information is a public statement and does not reflect the opinion of the LV portal. The sender is responsible for its content. Terms of publication