The hearing was a critical moment to assess Timmermans’ commitment to a European Green Deal that delivers for the climate and for nature, as called for by citizens and scientists worldwide. 

His answers focussed on the promised Climate Law. He supported climate neutrality by 2050 and an increase of the 2030 emissions reduction target to 50% or most likely 55% percent, and a provision of new money for the Just Transition fund. 

On biodiversity, discussions remained vague, but Timmermans expressed his hope that Europe was on the verge of the same awakening to the biodiversity crisis as the one we have witnessed on climate change. He also proposed a large-scale reforestation programme within Europe, hinted at legislative measures on deforestation, and promised that the EU would put concrete proposals on biodiversity on the table ahead of the CBD COP in China in 2020.