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According to the Guardian, after a rigorous three-hour session before the European parliament’s environment committee, Hoekstra’s employment history and commitment to climate action were scrutinized by MEPs.
During the hearing, Hoekstra emphasized his stance on the oil industry, stating that “Fossil fuels must become history, the sooner the better.”
The committee also questioned Maroš Šefčovič, the Slovakian commissioner, about expanding his responsibilities to advance the European Green Deal.
Both candidates were ultimately approved by the committees after additional questions from lawmakers who initially had doubts about their qualifications. Manon Aubry, the head of the Left group, expressed concerns about a “conflict of interest” in Hoekstra’s appointment.
Hoekstra had worked in commercial roles at Shell from 2002 to 2004 and then spent a decade at McKinsey, a management consultancy with ties to the oil and gas industry. He agreed to obtain permission from McKinsey to disclose details of his past clients as reported by the Guardian.
Bas Eickhout, a Green MEP, questioned the credibility of Hoekstra’s climate proposals given his professional history.
During the hearing, Hoekstra distanced himself from the oil industry and criticized its tendency to downplay climate science. He pledged to explore a global tax on kerosene, phase out fossil fuel subsidies, and support a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90% by 2040.
While some MEPs expressed skepticism about Hoekstra’s ability to deliver on his promises, others saw his commitments as significant steps toward green policy. Šefčovič, who will oversee Hoekstra, also personally endorsed the 90% emissions reduction target, though it is not legally binding.
Guardian reported that if confirmed by a vote in the European parliament, Hoekstra and Šefčovič will replace Frans Timmermans as the EU’s top climate envoy.
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