The European Commission overstated how much of the EU budget went to climate action by at least €72 billion, EU auditors found

In a May 30, 2022 special report, the European Court of Auditors found that the European Commission's claim of spending €216 billion (20% of the 2014-2020 EU budget) on climate action was overstated by at least €72 billion; auditors estimated actual climate-relevant spending closer to €144 billion, or about 13% of the budget. The report found the overstatement was worst in agricultural policy, where climate contributions were inflated by nearly €60 billion, and flagged reliability risks for the Commission's reporting on the larger 2021-2027 budget period as well.