TransparencyOversight & ethics enforcementEnvironment & land
The European Commission overstated how much of the EU budget went to climate action by at least €72 billion, EU auditors found
Confidence: Confirmed · 3 sourcesEuropean Union · Oct 12, 2026
Subject of this story
European Commission
Also named
Oversight
European Court of Auditors
What happened
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. The Commission's official reply is published in the report.
Sources (3)
European Court of Auditors / Publications Office of the EUClimate spending in the 2014-2020 EU budget: Not as high as reported. Climate spending overstated by at least €72 billion.
Climate Home NewsThe European Commission overreported EU climate spending in the bloc's 2014-2020 budget by at least €72 billion, according to a report by the European Court of Auditors.
FortuneEU auditors found the bloc's reported climate spending for 2014-2020 did not reflect what was actually spent on climate-relevant programs.
Response
European Commission
Statement given
Contacted and responded — exact wording not on record.
What happened next (0)
No outcome recorded yet.