EU Petition -  Against the Nomination of Mr. Wopke Hoekstra as new EU Climate Commissioner

We, the undersigned citizens and concerned individuals, are writing to express our strong opposition to the nomination of Dutch Christian Democrat Wopke Hoekstra as the new Climate Commissioner. We believe that Mr. Hoekstra's track record and stance on climate issues make him an unsuitable candidate for this vital role, which requires strong commitment and action to combat the current climate and biodiversity problems effectively.

Yet at this crucial moment, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen has nominated Dutch Christian Democrat Wopke Hoekstra as climate commissioner, an ex-employee from oil industry and active corporate player without any affinity or knowledge regarding climate and biodiversity issues.

Main reasons for opposing Mr. Hoekstra's nomination as Climate Commissioner include:

1.       Lack of Climate Leadership: 
Throughout his political career, Mr. Hoekstra has failed to demonstrate strong and consistent leadership in addressing climate change. Hoekstra’s most noteworthy political achievement regarding climate is as a target of a parliamentary inquiry, where he pushed for the exploitation of further oil, gas and woody biomass combustion in the Netherlands, rebuffed compensation to devastated households in the region and resisted necessary investments in real renewables and restoring nature. Recently, as Minister of Finance, he provided over €3.4 billion in support to aviation company KLM and actively objected Dutch government objectives to reduce emissions of nitrogen, a potent greenhouse gas;

2.       Lack of Integrity and conflicting Interests: 
Mr. Hoekstra's party, the Christian Democratic Appeal, has been criticized for its lukewarm stance on climate policies. Their proposals often prioritize economic interests over environmental concerns, which is not in line with the European Union's commitment to becoming climate-neutral by 2050. Moreover, whilst on the Committee to Combat Tax Evasion, Hoekstra himself was investigated after the Pandora Papers exposed his shares in an offshore business in the Virgin Islands. In addition, as a Dutch senator, he simultaneously worked for McKinsey, closely collaborating with the  consultancy’s controversial clients including big pharma, tobacco, and fossil fuel interests;

3.       Reluctance to Invest in Renewable Energy: 
Mr. Hoekstra has shown reluctance to invest in renewable energy sources and promote sustainable practices, other than biomass combustion which is clearly not renewable. His policies hinder the necessary transition to real, clean and sustainable technologies, and are risking further damage to our climate and environment;

4.       Lack of Support for International Climate Agreements: 
A successful Climate Commissioner must be committed to upholding and strengthening international climate agreements such as the Paris Agreement. Mr. Hoekstra's past statements and actions cast doubt on his commitment to these vital global accords. His relationship with other, and especially southern, European politicians is troublesome. He has been accused of a lack of European solidarity as he raised opposition to COVID-19 financial support whilst pushing further austerity measures. Given the increasing severity and frequency of climate-related disasters, Europe needs a Climate Commissioner who will prioritize adaptation measures to protect vulnerable communities. Mr. Hoekstra's record does not inspire confidence in his ability to lead in this area;

Dutch Petition
A Dutch petition against the appointment passed over 40,000 signatories within 7 days of its launch while MEPs from multiple parties have expressed concern.

MEPs should send a clear message
Octobers hearing in the European Parliament will be a crucial moment for MEPs to oust Hoekstra’s candidacy and protect the integrity of the European Union's climate action. This refusal is rare, but there is precedent from 2019 and should happen again. We therefore urge you to consider these concerns seriously when evaluating Mr. Hoekstra's nomination as Climate Commissioner. The European Union plays a pivotal role in global climate action, and the person appointed to this position must be fully committed to addressing the climate crisis with urgency, ambition, and a deep understanding of its complexities.

We therefore respectfully request that you reconsider the nomination of Wopke Hoekstra as Climate Commissioner and seek a candidate who has a proven track record of prioritizing climate action, supporting real renewable energy, and championing environmental sustainability.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. We hope that you will make a decision that aligns with the current needs of Europeans, best interests of the European Union and our earth as a whole.

Sincerely,