The Guardian view on Europe's troubled green deal: make the case, not concessions | Editorial

Leaders need to persuade others of the need for environmental measures rather than capitulate in the face of political headwindsLast month, a survey of public opinion in Germany, France and Poland found that a majority in each country would support more ambitious policies to tackle the climate emergency. The same study also found unexpectedly widespread support for pan-European action linking green goals to other priorities such as economic security. Who knew, at a time when warnings of a popular "green backlash" are rife?Unfortunately, Europe's politicians are now on a very different page. Rattled by farmers' protests - which radical-right parties have swiftly co-opted as a new front in their culture wars - Brussels and national governments have been busily sounding a disorderly, panicked retreat on environmental targets. Since the turn of the year, the U-turns and capitulations have come thick and fast. Continue reading...