Re-elected EU Commission President must deliver on Clean Industrial Deal commitments
Brussels – Today, Members of the European Parliament confirmed Ursula von der Leyen for a second term as President of the European Commission. This decision suggests a continued commitment to the European Green Deal, the cornerstone of her first term. However, achieving the EU’s ambitious climate neutrality goal by 2050 will require intensified efforts and new strategies.
“With the Green Deal, the last Commission made major progress towards EU decarbonisation. However, further measures and ambition will be needed to reach our climate goals. We welcome the renewed climate commitment heard today, but this will need to be backed up by strong actions,” said Alessia Virone, Government Affairs Director, Europe, at CATF.
In addition to presenting a Clean Industrial Deal within the first 100 days in office, a key indicator of the new Commission’s enduring commitment to climate action will be its proposal for the EU’s 2040 climate target.
“The 2040 target setting looms on the horizon as the first climate policy stress test for the incoming Commission. The 90% emissions reduction, proposed in pencil by the first von der Leyen Commission and noted in her address today, has yet to be formally affirmed – as has the contribution of the agricultural sector to this effort,” said Maja Pozvek, Government Affairs Manager, Europe at CATF. “We’ll also be paying close attention to how the Commission outlines the distinct roles of land-based sequestration and permanent carbon removals in reaching the net target.”
Alejandra Muñoz Castañer, Government Affairs Manager, Europe at CATF highlighted the need for greater efforts in implementing the existing legal framework for 2030, particularly through the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs): “Current draft NECPs still lack the credibility and substance required to set Europe on the path to deep decarbonisation. We hope to see a reinforced commitment to climate planning and governance from the incoming Commission as well as increased oversight to make sure the EU is truly on track to meet its climate targets.”
Von der Leyen emphasised the needed boost in EU economy’s competitiveness, hinging on affordable energy prices and domestic clean technology manufacturing. To maximise transition to a competitive clean energy economy in Europe will likely draw on a diverse range of power generation pathways and other climate solutions, with nuclear energy, next-generation geothermal systems, small modular reactors, and fusion energy.
“In this term, the EU needs to focus on enabling pathways and solutions accelerating deep decarbonisation of our energy systems, whilst maintaining energy security and competitiveness of our economies. This can be achieved by pursuing a diverse set of clean solutions including clean firm power technologies such as nuclear energy and geothermal,” stated Malwina Qvist, Nuclear Program Lead at CATF.
An effective system of incentives to develop and commercialise promising clean energy generation options is crucial.
“For too long, next-generation geothermal technologies like superhot rock energy have been overlooked and underfunded. The European Commission has a pivotal opportunity to harness this always-available, clean, and firm electricity source, making it both accessible and affordable for the EU economy,” added Terra Rogers, Program Director, Superhot Rock Energy at CATF. “As energy demand and the urgency to decarbonise the energy system grow, an EU Geothermal Strategy can outline the game-changing potential of superhot rock energy in securing Europe’s sustainable future.”
Critically important for decarbonising and meeting the EU’s climate targets are carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. The new Commission must prioritise CCS deployment, which is far behind the rates needed, focusing on cross-border CO2 storage and transport networks and overcoming regulatory hurdles.
“With the groundwork for CCS set, it’s crucial to implement the Industrial Carbon Management Strategy and meet the Net Zero Industry Act’s CO2 storage target,” said Codie Rossi, Senior Policy Associate, Carbon Capture at CATF. “Significant deployment barriers remain, and the Commission must advance key elements like the regulatory framework for CO2 transport and an EU-wide infrastructure planning mechanism.”
Similarly, clean hydrogen will be required to decarbonise the EU industry. As its availability will be limited for the foreseeable future, the new Commission should ensure clean hydrogen is used in sectors where limited or no other decarbonisation options are available, such as crude oil refining, (petro-)chemicals production, ammonia and methanol production, and steel and iron production.
Recognising climate change as a global challenge, CATF urges the Commission to enforce ambitious import standards under the Methane Regulation and further bolster its international leadership in this area.
“The poly-crises of the next five years aren’t insurmountable but require focus on quick and inexpensive solutions like cutting methane emissions, which could help address the EU’s climate, energy security, and economic challenges simultaneously. If the next European Commission plays its cards right, it can use new rules on fossil fuel imports to stop €55 billion worth of gas form being wasted into the atmosphere each year, delivering benefits for the EU, its partners, and the planet,” said Brandon Locke, Europe Policy Manager, Methane Pollution Prevention at CATF.
“The European Union’s pioneering climate policies have set global benchmarks in the fight against climate change. As the European Commission enters its next term, it must strengthen its cooperation with other regions to ensure durable and equitable decarbonisation across the planet,” concluded Lee Beck, Senior Director, Europe and Middle East at CATF.
The forthcoming nominations and hearings of Commissioners-designate will provide further clarity on the Commission’s priorities for the EU’s policy agenda in the coming years.
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About Clean Air Task Force
Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a global nonprofit organization working to safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change by catalysing the rapid development and deployment of low-carbon energy and other climate-protecting technologies. With more than 25 years of internationally recognized expertise on climate policy and a fierce commitment to exploring all potential solutions, CATF is a pragmatic, non-ideological advocacy group with the bold ideas needed to address climate change. Visit cleanairtaskforce.org and follow @cleanaircatf
