The European Commission’s green transformation plan, primarily funded through the €723.8 billion Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), is facing rising doubts about its effectiveness. 

The green transformation, often lauded as Europe’s ambitious plan to lead the global fight against climate change, is under increasing scrutiny. Central to this vision is the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), a €723.8 billion fund aimed at bolstering EU member states’ economies post-COVID while accelerating the green and digital transitions. Yet, this grand vision is faltering, with many experts arguing that both the scale and impact of the transformation have been overestimated.

The latest RRF report highlights worrying trends: delayed projects, unclear spending priorities, and insufficient transparency in tracking the effectiveness of the funds. Less than 40% of the allocated budget has been directed towards green initiatives, falling short of the original 37% minimum requirement. Critics warn that without more rigorous oversight and accountability, the EU’s green transformation risks being more rhetoric than reality, shaking the very trust that the public and member states have placed in the European Commission’s leadership.