The European Commission denied claims from German media about having secret contracts with environmental NGOs to promote climate policy, asserting transparency in funding. The allegations suggested payments to NGOs like ClientEarth and Friends of the Earth for lobbying against coal plants and the Mercosur agreement. The issue of NGO funding has sparked political debate in Brussels, with concerns raised about the appropriateness of some funding practices. The Commission plans to enhance transparency and has issued guidance on NGO funding.