Europe can expect intensive energy and climate legislation. This became clear from the letters of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, sent to her delegates-commissioners, reports Euractiv.
The mission letters sent by von der Leyen to members of the prospective European commissioners contain action plans based on promises made during her speech to the European Parliament, as well as compromises between centrist political groups.
On energy, von der Leyen has made it clear that she intends to continue the EU's decarbonisation efforts already started during her first term, as well as save the continent's industrial hubs and restore energy systems in the process - which will affect few energy and climate stakeholders.
As expected, her commitment to climate action remains intact, but this time with a strong pro-business slant.
The new commissioners will be expected to implement the Green Deal rules from her first term in office, but as she says in her letter to climate commissioner-designate Vopke Hoekstra, implementation should be done in "the simplest, fairest and most the effective way'.
Her letter to Hoekstra also confirmed some concessions -- for example, it noted the need to soften the de facto 2035 ban on internal combustion engine cars with a "targeted amendment" that would allow more options for such cars if they were powered by synthetic "e-fuels".
Confirmation of plans to reduce emissions by 90%
Another thing that was made clear in the mission statements – including that of Spain's Teresa Ribera, who has been proposed for the position of executive vice president for a clean, fair and competitive transition – is that von der Leyen is sticking to the previously proposed goal to reduce carbon emissions by 90% by 2040.
According to plans already proposed, von der Leyen plans to cut carbon emissions by 90% from 1990 levels by 2040 – quite a step up from the 55% target for 2030.
To achieve the ambitious target, which has yet to be enshrined in law, Ribera and Hoekstra will need to start consultations on a legislative package for the "post-2030 framework".
Electrification
Under von der Leyen's decarbonisation plans, electrification must do the main work.
Von der Leyen's pick, Danish socialist Dan Jorgensen, will have to develop a new initiative to promote the spread of renewable energy and energy storage, including a strategy to boost investment and an electricity action plan.
Jorgensen will also have to push through efforts to expand the electricity grid and overhaul the regulatory framework to allow faster issuance of permits. It is also expected to promote the integration of energy systems, although no details were given on what this should include.
Hoekstra and Jorgensen are charged with phasing out fossil fuel subsidies, and Jorgensen with drafting a road map for phasing out Russian energy imports.
The availability of sufficient energy in Europe is also a cause for concern.
Jorgensen will have to overhaul the EU's security of supply framework, while French Liberal Stephane Sejournet, who will be executive vice-president for prosperity and industrial strategy, will focus on securing critical raw materials.
Industrial strategy for the benefit of several sectors
Von der Leyen's letters also contain several ideas on how Europe can strengthen its cleantech industrial strategy, with Ribera and Sejourne (leads) and Hoekstra and Jørgensen (deputies) in charge.
Much of what von der Leyen is proposing already exists or is outlined in the guidelines she presented to her new Commission in July, such as a law to speed up the decarbonisation of industry or overhauling public procurement rules in favor of EU products.
In addition, von der Leyen wants small reactor units to be operational in Europe by 2030, as well as new markets for CO2 capture, transport and storage.
Whether its ambitions come to fruition will depend on whether national governments can agree to increase the EU's budget - through general debt or higher contributions.
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