Main news from Brussels this week
date: 03/02/2017
State of the Energy Union
The European Commission published on 1 February its second State of the Energy Union report. It shows that the modernisation of the European Union economy and the transition to a low-carbon era are happening. In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency and renewable energy, Europe is well on track to reach its 2020 targets. For example, in 2015, EU greenhouse gas emissions were 22% below the 1990 level. The EU is also on target in the renewable sector where – based on 2014 data – the share of renewables reached 16% of the EU's gross final energy consumption.
Progress on renewables factsheet
Progress on energy efficiency factsheet
Malta Summit
Today (3 February), EU Heads of State and Government met for an informal Summit in Valletta, Malta. The main focus of discussions was on how to better manage migration and save lives along the Central Mediterranean route. Leaders published the Malta Declaration setting out concrete short- and medium term actions to improve the situation along the Central Mediterranean route and on the ground in Libya and its neighbouring countries. Heads of State and Government of the 27 EU leaders (all except the United Kingdom) will also have a discussion on the future of Europe ahead of the Rome Summit on 25 March which will mark the 60th Anniversary of the Treaties of Rome.
Have your say on shaping the future Common Agricultural Policy
The European Commission has published a public consultation as the first step towards modernising the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to make it fit for the 21st century. Farmers, organisations, or anyone interested in the future of food and farming in Europe, now have three months to share their experiences and ideas to help shape future EU policy.
End of roaming charges in the EU: agreement on wholesale prices
The European Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the European Commission agreed on Wednesday 1 February on how to regulate wholesale roaming prices – this means roaming charges will end by 15 June this year.
All this week's key European Commission announcements can be found here