EU agrees to weaken and delay green business rules

EUROPEAN governments and lawmakers agreed to weaken and delay new environmental and human rights rules yesterday, clearing a key hurdle in a push to unpick EU regulations seen as too burdensome for businesses.

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The European Council representing member states said its negotiators reached an overnight deal with European Parliament representatives to “simplify” two pieces of legislation hailed by civil society groups but loathed by firms.

“We delivered on our promise to remove burdens and rules and boost EU’s competitiveness,” said Marie Bjerre, the Minister for European affairs of Denmark, which holds the EU’s rotating presidency.

“This is an important step towards our common goal to create a more favourable business environment to help our companies grow and innovate.”

The deal comes as concerns about sluggish European growth have shifted the bloc’s focus to competitiveness and away from the climate and environment goals of EU chief Ursula von der Leyen’s first term - to the alarm of green advocates.