Europe 2020 - EU Member States adopt new strategy for jobs and smart, sustainable and inclusive growth
EU Heads of State and Government (European Council) met in Brussels on 17 June and adopted the so-called Europe 2020, a new 10-year strategy for jobs and growth which will promote the delivery and implementation of structural reforms.
Europe 2020, identified five headline targets:
1. Promoting Employment
2. Improving conditions for Innovation, Research and Development
3. Meeting the Climate Change and Energy Objectives
4. Improving Education levels
5. Promoting Social Inclusion
These headline targets will be discussed by the EU Member States over the coming months, and specific policies will be identified to unlock the growth potential of the EU, starting with innovation and energy policies. The European Council called for investment in research and development to be raised to 3% of GDP. EU leaders also called for a common energy policy as well as a new ambitious industrial policy.
One of the flagship initiatives of the EU-2020 Strategy is the Innovation Union, which aims to improve conditions and access to finance for research and innovation. In this framework the so-called European Plan for Research and Innovation (EPRI) will be developed. For more information about the EPRI, please click here.
Other developments included taking note of the European Commission's (EC) proposal to move to a 30% emissions target, where the European Council asked the EC to further examine the impact on individual Member States and the issue of carbon leakage. The European Council will come back to the issue in the autumn before the Cancun UN Summit (COP16).
Please also note that further to the increasing concerns over Iran's nuclear programme, the European Council adopted a declaration to take restrictive measure against Iran (based on the UN Security Council Resolution 1929), these include mainly restrictions on trade, but also prohibition of new investment in the gas and oil industry as well as prohibition of technical assistance and transfers of technologies, equipment and services in these sectors.
To read the conclusions of the European Council (17 June 2010), please click here.
Upcoming EU initiatives in energy and climate change (from the 2010-2011 work programmes):
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ENERGY |
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EC to propose an "Energy Infrastructure Package", including 5 initiatives:
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End of 2010 |
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1. EC Communication on Energy Infrastructure Development and financing for the 2020/30 horizon: focus on investment needs, based on supply and demand scenarios, the 10-year network plans of the European Network of Transmission System Operators (ENTSO) and on priorities for infrastructure development and funding. Furthermore, it will look at measures aiming at diversifying gas supply sources and routes as well as at future infrastructure needs, e.g. for oil or CO2. |
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2. EC staff working paper on energy infrastructure (2nd Strategic Energy Review evaluation) |
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3. EC Communication on the preparation of a blue print for offshore grids in the Northern Seas of Europe |
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4. Report on the state of play of Smart Grids |
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5. Legislative proposal on Smart Grids (possible) |
2011 |
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Europe 2020 strategy: European Council will discuss energy policy, including how it can best support the shift towards an efficient low-carbon economy and security of supply
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Early 2011 |
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Other upcoming EU energy initiatives 2010 – 2011
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Proposal on transparency and integrity of wholesale market trading, which will address the transparency and integrity of European traded energy markets, establishing "proper market conduct rules and a regulatory framework for monitoring and surveillance of these markets", covering at minimum electricity and gas and potentially carbon trading.
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A revised Energy Efficiency Action Plan, which will identify the key measures to achieve the 20% by 2020 target accepted by the Member States, most notably in the building, utility and transport sectors. It may be accompanied where appropriate by legislative proposals, e.g. a possible recast of the energy services directive. In addition, the Commission announces its intention to work on a revision of the energy taxation directive in order to tax energy products on their energy content and their carbon emission level.
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Energy Action Plan 2011-2020, in which the Commission will provide a "holistic strategy document" laying out the priority action points for 2011-2020, followed by a Roadmap for low carbon energy system by 2050. The latter communication will identify the required steps to attain the ambition of a low carbon energy system by 2050. It will be preceded by an interim document which will frame the issues at stake.
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Communication on Regional Initiatives, which has the objective of guiding Member States (MS), Regulators and stakeholders on the Regional Initiatives. It will propose how to further achieve progress within the Regional Initiatives, as a stepping stone towards the internal energy market and make proposals as to the best practices of the Regional Initiatives.
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Legislative proposal for a regulatory framework on smart grids, which will address the various issues linked with the establishment of smart grids, incl. data protection, electric vehicles and open access to the grids
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Communication on implementing the biofuel sustainability scheme, which will guide Member States and economic operators on how to implement the sustainability criteria. It will also endorse 'voluntary schemes' and update/add 'default values' related to the sustainability scheme.
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Proposal revising the nuclear waste directive, which will establish a common European framework aiming at achieving and maintaining a high level of safe management of radioactive waste and spent fuel throughout the EU. Update of the Nuclear Illustrative Programme (PINC), reviewing the latest situation regarding MS policies, nuclear investment decisions and requirements, and discussing capacity issues and the contribution of nuclear for decarbonising electricity generation and the energy mix. Communication on nuclear medicine and radioisotopes, which will address medical use of ionizing radiation and the available EU and international instruments.
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CLIMATE CHANGE |
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Possible Commission initiative to step up beyond 20% (20 to 30%) reduction in greenhouse gases, with a possible initiative to reach emission reduction target beyond 20%.
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Communication on a roadmap for low-carbon economy by 2050, also with a view to determining the necessary scenarios for 2030. This will develop an analysis of milestones on the pathway to 2050, including the necessary scenarios of the ambition level for 2030 reflecting the contributions from key emitting sectors.
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Communication on the analysis of practical policies required to implement a 30% EU emission reduction and assessment of situation of Energy Intensive Industries, with the aim of carrying out an analysis of the measures needed to step beyond 20% emission reduction by 2020, in view of decarbonisation objectives for 2050. This is intended to include an assessment of the situation of energy intensive industries at risk of carbon leakage.
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Communication on Mainstreaming Climate Adaptation and Mitigation in EU policies and climate proofing of financial instruments, including a strategy and concrete actions to mainstream climate adaptation and mitigation in other EU policies and financial instruments. This includes in particular climate proofing of policies such as agriculture and rural development, industry and services, energy, transport, research and innovation, health, water, marine and fisheries, ecosystems and biodiversity.
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For more details and the text of the work programme please click here.