Europe’s lawmakers focused on climate and industrial policy, with a drive to scale up cleaner fuels for planes and ships, a stocktake of COP30 outcomes, and procedural steps on foreign influence transparency. Human-rights resolutions on Ukraine, Sudan and the Baha’i in Iran were put to a vote, and a heated debate over fur farming set the stage for a Commission proposal by March.

MEPs broadly backed the goal of building a homegrown industry for sustainable aviation and maritime fuels, while warning about today’s production shortfall and higher costs. The Commission framed its Sustainable Transport Investment Plan as a near‑term catalyst, mobilising EUR 2.9 billion under the current budget, with a longer‑term need of about EUR 100 billion by 2035 1. Supporters stressed the gap between ambition and capacity—targets of 20 million tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel by 2035 against roughly 1 million today—and the price premium of two to three times over fossil fuels 2. To unlock private capital, centrist speakers pressed for clear market design, including a European “book‑and‑claim” system to help kick‑start investment and link producers with buyers 3. Others cautioned against diluting sustainability by counting questionable feedstocks in the mix 4.

COP30: progress on adaptation, splits on credibility and cost

Parliament’s climate debate acknowledged modest steps and lingering gaps from COP30 in Belém. The Commission highlighted agreement to triple adaptation spending for the most vulnerable, while admitting broader shortcomings on a fossil‑fuel roadmap 5. Calls for EU credibility and consistency grew louder, with warnings that Europe cannot demand more abroad while rolling back at home on files like the Climate Law or due‑diligence rules 6. From the opposite camp, critics portrayed climate finance as an unfair burden, casting the EU as a “global ATM” for others 7.

Foreign influence transparency file moves to talks

On transparency of third‑country interest representation in the internal market, Parliament agreed to refer the report back to committee to open interinstitutional negotiations under Rule 60(4) 8. The rapporteur formally requested the referral, and the House approved it 9.

Human rights and geopolitics on the ballot

MEPs proceeded to votes on a series of joint motions. These included the EU’s position on a proposed plan for a just and lasting peace for Ukraine 10; the escalation of the war and humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan 11; and the escalating repression of the Baha’i in Iran 12. Members also voted on implementation of the EU‑UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement 13.

Fur farming: calls for a ban and a March deadline

An oral question sharpened the debate over a possible EU‑wide ban on fur farming and on placing farmed‑fur products on the market, including imports. Proponents pointed to the European Food Safety Authority’s 2025 conclusion that welfare problems are structural and not fixable by tighter husbandry rules 14. The Commission said it will present a communication by March outlining the proposed way forward 15. Opponents warned that banning EU farms could offshore production to places with weaker standards, undercutting animal welfare and EU producers alike, and argued for strict import rules instead [16].

Taken together, the day’s agenda underscored Europe’s balancing act: scaling clean industries at speed, holding credibility on climate diplomacy, strengthening transparency at home, and keeping human rights on the radar—while ensuring measures remain affordable and enforceable.