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Dear readers,
With summer now behind us, last week saw European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen give her annual speech on the State of the European Union. As well as looking back on one of the toughest years in recent history and commending the EU’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, the President also spelled out some of the EU’s most important achievements over the last 12 months. Many of these milestones will prove essential for our green transition: Europe’s first Climate Law; the launch of the European Climate Pact, continued engagement with our international partners to increase their ambition ahead of COP26; the Adaptation Strategy and national recovery and resilience plans to build back greener economies. Most Member States have now drawn up and submitted their national plans, and the Commission has already begun to make the first payments from the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The level of support each EU country receives is based on a set of criteria that account for the national circumstances, including population, GDP and employment rate. Of the projected total of €723.8 billion, 37% of the funds will be dedicated to supporting climate investments and reforms, which, along with other instruments, will help to upgrade the European economy and empower European workers to make a success of the green transition.
Most recently, in July, we presented a set of proposals to deliver the European Green Deal and achieve our aim of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, and becoming climate-neutral by 2050. As detailed in our previous edition, these proposals, expand upon existing climate and energy policy to bring about the transformational change we need to see across our economy and society. The proposals are based on comprehensive impact assessments, which show that this mix of existing legislation and a number of new initiatives will make the new ambitious -55% net emissions reduction target for 2030 achievable. This will be matched by our commitment to making the transition to climate neutrality socially fair, leaving no one behind.
Of course, the State of the Union is also looks to the future, and the President set out the flagship initiatives that will guide the Commission’s agenda through the next year and beyond. At this pivotal moment for the future of planet, the team at DG Climate Action are working hard to prepare the way for successful COP26 negotiations in Glasgow in November. Beyond that, our efforts will remain focussed on building support for the ambition of July’s proposals as they move through the inter-institutional process, as well for upcoming legislative proposals on ozone-depleting substances, F-gases and CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles. Furthermore, we have just published the roadmap for a proposal on carbon removal certification. The initiative will aim to develop a long-term vision for sustainable carbon cycles including the capture, storage, and use of CO2 in a climate-neutral EU economy, and to kick-start the development of technological and nature-based solutions. We welcome your views on this, and you can submit your feedback here until 7 October 2021.
International climate finance will be an important topic in Glasgow, and it also figured prominently in the President’s speech, with the announcement that the EU would make available an additional €4 billion for climate finance until 2027. The President urged partners such as the United States to step up their contributions too, to ensure that the world’s least developed and most vulnerable countries are able to embrace the green transition. To ensure a healthy and prosperous future, we must all do our part.
Kind regards,
Mauro Petriccione Director-General for Climate Action, European Commission
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Latest News
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2021 State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen
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In her State of the Union address on 15 September 2021, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen outlined flagship initiatives which the Commission plans to undertake in the coming year.
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Joint EU-US Press Release on the Global Methane Pledge
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The European Union and the United States announced on 18 September the Global Methane Pledge, an initiative to reduce global methane emissions to be launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) in November in Glasgow. President Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged countries at the US-led Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF) to join the Pledge and welcomed those that have already signaled their support.
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The EU and Turkey discuss climate crisis and future cooperation
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The European Commission’s Executive Vice President for the European Green Deal Frans Timmermans and Turkish Minister of Environment and Urbanisation Murat Kurum met in Brussels for a high-level dialogue on climate. Both the EU and Turkey have recently experienced extreme impacts of climate change, such as wildfires and floods; Turkey has also seen the largest ever outbreak of “sea snot” in the Marmara Sea – overgrowth of microscopic algae caused by water pollution and climate change.
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Modernisation Fund: First EUR 304 million to support climate neutrality in 3 beneficiary countries
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Following the positive disbursement decision by the European Commission, the European Investment Bank has made the first payments from the Modernisation Fund. A total of EUR 304.43 million has been made available to Czechia (EUR 202m), Hungary (EUR 11.43m) and Poland (EUR 91m) to finance six investment proposals that have been confirmed as priority investments.
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The European Commission has published new technical guidance on climate-proofing of infrastructure projects for the period 2021-2027
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The guidance will help mainstream climate considerations in future investment and development of infrastructure projects from buildings, network infrastructure to a range of built systems and assets. The guidance was published on 16 September in the Official Journal (OJ C 373).
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“Our planet, our future”: discussing climate action with school students
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If you teach students between 11 and 17 years old, explore the interactive site “Our planet, our future” to learn about the science of climate change, what's happening across the EU and how we can all do our bit to fight climate change. In addition, the Teacher’s Hub offers a selection of classroom activities and relevant materials to help you structure your classes and engage students with fun interactive exercises. Check out the toolkit and help us spread the word!
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On the move with the Climate Pact
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In September and October, the Climate Pact is focusing on what we call ‘sustainable mobility’. This means using any form of transport with lower carbon emissions – from taking the train across the continent for your holiday to walking or biking to your local bakery. So why is mobility so important when it comes to climate change? And how can you be part of our sustainable mobility movement?
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New European Bauhaus: new actions and funding to link sustainability to style and inclusion
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On 15 September 2021 the Commission adopted a Communication that sets out the framework, core principles and key actions that will drive the New European Bauhaus forward, as it moves from co-design to delivery.
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Events
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Publications
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CORDIS results pack on construction skills
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Evaluating the impact of nature-based solutions. A summary for policy makers
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Nature-based solutions Horizon 2020 research projects tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis
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Improving the climate impact of raw material sourcing
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Distributional impacts of climate policies in Europe
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Climate-related risk and financial stability
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Consultations
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Climate change – restoring sustainable carbon cycles
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Calls
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Applications for the 2022 Natura 2000 Awards open until September
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On Natura 2000 Day this year, the European Commission launched the 2022 edition of the Natura 2000 Award. The Award, now in its sixth edition, honours leading nature conservation achievements in Europe’s Natura 2000 network of protected areas. The Award aims to raise awareness about Natura 2000, the work carried out by different actors to safeguard the network’s vital natural assets, as well as the health, cultural, societal and economic benefits that the network provides to us all.
Apply online until the end of September!
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Commission launches a video competition for schools: “Film4Energy Challenge”
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On 1 October, the European Commission is launching the “Film4Energy Challenge”, a video competition that invites schools across the European Union (EU) to create a short film about the importance of saving energy. Open to 12-15-year-old schoolchildren across the EU, the competition is not only aimed at stimulating creativity, but also a deeper consideration of the importance of saving energy in the fight against climate change.
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