Concerns are rising that the EU's new €700 billion budget, while increasing overall green spending, could prioritize industrial projects over crucial biodiversity initiatives. WWF warns that the merging of environmental funding with other sectors, like digitalization and defense, risks sidelining biodiversity. A €37 billion annual funding gap for biodiversity already exists, and the new structure risks exacerbating this issue, despite the Commission's claim that 35% of the budget is for the EU Green Deal.

Prepared by Olivia Bennett and reviewed by editorial team.