Dear readers,

Another busy, but all in all very rewarding year in the fight against the climate crisis is drawing to a close. 2021 has been eventful at the Directorate General for Climate Action. Without going over everything from the past year, we saw the adoption of the Climate Law and of our new Adaptation Strategy, illustrating the importance that we, as the EU, attach to both mitigation and adaptation. We saw the development of the European Climate Pact, and the further strengthening of our climate diplomacy efforts, which undoubtedly contributed to the progress made at COP26 in Glasgow. We were, once again, at the forefront of innovation, supported by the granting of funds from the Modernisation and Innovation Funds. All initiatives with a major impact on the ground.

Perhaps the biggest step we took this year was the comprehensive package of proposals we presented in July to reform all aspects of Europe’s climate and energy policy framework. And last week, the Commission presented another package of proposals to deliver on our Green Deal targets, including a communication on Sustainable Carbon Cycles, a new framework to decarbonise the EU gas market, cut methane emissions and promote hydrogen, as well as improving the energy performance of buildings in Europe.

2022 promises to be another challenging and important year for EU Climate Action, with a busy agenda both in Europe and internationally. We must build on the momentum gathered in Glasgow and reach out to our partners around the world to ensure that we close the gap and get on track by the end of 2022 to limit average global temperature increase to 1.5C. The EU is wasting no time. President von der Leyen and Executive Vice-President Timmermans met US Special Envoy for Climate Change, John Kerry in Brussels this month to discuss how to convince major emitters to up their game on cutting emissions and bolster climate finance in the year ahead. We will intensify these efforts with all international partners in 2022 ahead of COP27.

Meanwhile, at home in Europe, our main challenge will be to advance the policy proposals we made this year, and work towards a solid agreement in the European Parliament and in the Council about the high level of climate ambition required to achieve our goals. This Monday’s Environment Council allowed us to take stock, based on a progress report prepared by the Slovenian Presidency. It showed that while much remains to be done, we are on track. Another challenge we’re already facing are the record-high energy prices, which are impacting parts of our economy and society, and making the green transition more abrupt and difficult. We will persevere in our efforts to get on top of the situation and seek to understand the longer term implications for future policy, avoiding knee-jerk reactions and preparing for a scenario in which prices get out of hand in the longer term. We must strive for a transition that moves at pace, but on a path to climate neutrality that remains as predictable and stable as possible.

Dear readers, I wish you all a very peaceful and restful holiday period, and a very happy and healthy new year.

Mauro Petriccione
Director-General for Climate Action, European Commission