A Future Generations approach is vital to the EU because its biggest challenges – climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource scarcity – are long-term and intergenerational. Decisions made today on energy, infrastructure, finance, and the environment will shape the rights and wellbeing of citizens for decades. Intergenerational fairness should therefore be treated not only as an ethical aspiration but as a governance principle guiding EU policymaking, investment decisions and regulatory frameworks. Embedding intergenerational justice in EU governance will guard against short-termism, help meet climate and rights commitments, and ensure policies safeguard prosperity, security, and wellbeing for present and future generations. The recent establishment of a EU Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness marks important progress, but this office must be empowered with a strong mandate, resources, and political backing if it is to act as a guardian of future generations. There are significant developments at national level in Ireland (including proposals for the development of a Future Generations Commission) which mean that adopting intergenerational fairness as a priority during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in July–December 2026 would align with well supported domestic initiatives. This alignment would boost Ireland’s national momentum to create synergy between EU and domestic frameworks for intergenerational governance.
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