The Heartland Institute, an American think tank notorious for disseminating climate change denial and opposing environmental regulations, has expanded its reach into Europe, establishing a branch in London in December 2023. This expansion signals a concerted effort to influence policy within the European Union and hinder progress on climate action. The opening event was attended by prominent figures like former UK Prime Minister Liz Truss and Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, indicating a growing alliance between conservative political movements and organizations actively working against climate mitigation efforts. This alliance raises concerns about the potential for further delays and obstructions in implementing crucial environmental policies.
Heartland’s influence within the EU is not new. Reports indicate a collaboration between the organization and Austrian parliamentarians beginning two years prior to the London opening. This collaboration allegedly included efforts to thwart the passage of the EU Nature Restoration Law by exerting pressure on Hungarian politicians. Evidence of this influence includes the invitation extended to Heartland’s president to address the European Parliament, providing a platform to disseminate their anti-regulatory and climate-denial rhetoric. This strategy of targeting specific member states to create internal divisions and weaken the EU’s collective stance on climate action is a significant concern for environmental progress.
The Nature Restoration Law, a critical piece of legislation aimed at restoring damaged ecosystems across the EU, faced significant opposition partly attributed to Heartland’s lobbying. Although the law eventually passed, its approval was delayed after Hungary withdrew its support, a move potentially influenced by the pressure exerted by Heartland and its allies. This delay underscores the effectiveness of targeted lobbying campaigns in hindering crucial environmental legislation. The fact that Austria’s Green Party climate minister had to vote against her own conservative government to ensure the law’s passage highlights the deep political divisions created by organizations like Heartland.
The Heartland Institute’s actions fit a broader pattern of climate change denial and obstructionism. The organization has a history of receiving funding from the fossil fuel industry and employing tactics previously used to cast doubt on the health risks of smoking. This consistent pattern of undermining scientifically-backed evidence on critical issues raises serious questions about the integrity and motivations of such organizations. Their involvement in European politics poses a direct threat to the implementation of crucial climate policies.
The emergence of Heartland within the EU political landscape coincides with a period of increased legislative activity on climate action. Following the 2019 European Parliament elections, where Green parties gained significant influence, the EU passed several key legislative packages with the potential for transformative change. These include the Energy Efficiency Directive, requiring substantial reductions in energy consumption across member states, and the Nature Restoration Law. Both these initiatives target core issues of the climate crisis: reducing fossil fuel dependence and protecting and restoring natural ecosystems. These very measures are now under attack by vested interests represented by organizations like Heartland and their political allies.
The efforts of Heartland and similar organizations represent a serious challenge to the EU’s climate ambitions. While the EU is often portrayed as a leader in climate action, independent assessments suggest its current targets and policies are insufficient to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. The EU’s own scientific advisory council has also criticized the adequacy of its climate policies. The influence of organizations actively working to undermine climate science and obstruct meaningful action poses a significant barrier to achieving the urgent and necessary transformations required to address the climate crisis effectively. The stakes are high, with experts warning of dire consequences if transformative action is not taken immediately. The ongoing struggle between scientific evidence, political will, and vested interests will determine the future trajectory of climate action within the EU and its impact on global efforts to address this existential threat.
