The European Parliament voted 279 to 173 to back the candidacy of the 48-year-old conservative politician in the face of criticism from climate groups.
Environmental activists had slammed Hoekstra's nomination as "climate action" commissioner over his past employment at energy giant Shell and his track record in power.
But he overcame initial reticence from the parliament's environment committee thanks to a political deal that saw Slovak commissioner Maros Sefcovic also approved to oversee the ambitious climate pact known as the European Green Deal.
Hoekstra was put forward for the climate portfolio after his compatriot, Frans Timmermans, returned to domestic Dutch politics.
Timmermans had been a powerful executive vice president of the European Commission, in charge of overseeing the European Green Deal.
Hoesktra will serve under Sefcovic as the official in charge of "climate action".
He will be in office until at least May next year, when a new EU commission will be formed after the European Parliament elections.
Despite the short tenure, Hoekstra will now spearhead the EU's delegation at the crucial COP 28 climate talks starting in the United Arab Emirates at the end of next month.
When his name was announced, a petition against his transfer to Brussels quickly garnered tens of thousands of signatures.
It criticised the appointment of a "fossil fuel manager", given his background.
After graduating from university, Hoekstra worked for Shell for two years before moving on to global consultancy giant McKinsey.
He was appointed as finance minister to serve in Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's third coalition government in 2017 before becoming foreign minister in 2022.
Green groups also attacked his record in office, when he opposed ending the exploitation of a major gas field, blocked measures to reduce nitrogen emissions and propped up airline KLM.
Climate protesters halt 'Les Mis' in London
London (AFP) Oct 5, 2023 -
Climate activists stormed the stage of "Les Miserables" in London on Wednesday, locking themselves to the set and halting the performance of the iconic show.
It was the latest protest by Just Stop Oil supporters targeting high-profile events after campaigners disrupted Wimbledon and the Open Championship golf tournament.
Just Stop Oil said in a statement that the demonstrators entered the stage of the Sondheim Theatre in the West End theatre district shortly before 9:00 pm (2000 GMT).
They unfurled orange banners that read "Just Stop Oil" and "The Show Can't Go On."
The protesters then locked themselves to the set using flexible bicycle locks, which theatre staff were unable to remove.
Audience members booed the activists and the show did not resume.
The Metropolitan Police said in a post on X, formerly called Twitter, that five people were arrested at the theatre.
Just Stop Oil wants the UK government to end all new oil and gas exploration and has promised not to let up in its protests until it does so.
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