European Economic and Social Committee’s Post

Nearly all the UN IPCC’s pathways to #NetZero by 2050 require a significant scale-up of engineered #carbonremovals. Their importance has led the European Union to begin significant policy development in this area. 🌍 Recent EU developments include an agreement on the Carbon Removal Certification Framework (#CRCF), which will create a critical foundation for scaling the voluntary market for carbon removals in the EU, including #BECCS. ⚡ Despite the UK no longer being part of the EU, the decisions taken by its institutions still impact British businesses and consumers. For example, the CRCF framework could be a blueprint for the UK and governments around the world. 🗞️ 🔗 Read more from Katarzyna (Kasia) Wilk, our Head of Public Affairs and Policy, EU & Asia, in her latest article: https://lnkd.in/d49724Rz

I was glad to represent Skeleton in the Clean Transition Dialogue on cleantech in January. The discussions were frank and fruitful, and it's great that the European Commission was willing to hear such feedback. That's very necessary because we don't need cheerleading exercises when we assess the Green Deal. We need the "deal" part of the Green Deal to finally happen and Europe's current (lack of) strategy is not really working for businesses, nor is solving the scale-up challenge. With this communication, we see that the European Commission has heard the message shared by all participants in this Clean Transition Dialogue that European cleantech companies urgently need simplification, as well as abundant and affordable decarbonized energy to remain competitive. We hope this honest dialogue will continue and that concrete actions will follow. At the moment, the EU doesn't know how to react to Chinese interventionism and US protectionism, doesn't match the Inflation Reduction Act’s simplicity and economic might, the situation of the European solar industry is dire, and the automotive industry faces massive competition from Chinese EV manufacturers. In large parts, this is because of EU Member States, and their misunderstanding that the main competition is not between Member States themselves. A common EU industrial and energy strategy is more important than ever, especially as the twin - energy and digital - transitions require massive amounts of electricity.

Canada earned notable commitments from G7 partners on accelerating the clean energy transition and curbing environmental degradation at this week's ministerial summit in Italy. However, challenges persist in turning ambition into action on these complex global issues. #Canada2030biodiversity #Canadaenergypolicy #CanadaG7leadership #CleanEnergyTransition #criticalmineralsCanada #G7energycommitments #G7plasticpollution #phaseoutcoal #protect30by30 #renewableenergystorage

Countries everywhere need more renewables and public transport, but some permitting procedures are holding countries back from building at the pace and scale they need to meet net zero. So how can countries deliver faster while upholding environmental, health and safety protections? A new OECD Public Governance working paper outlines the issues and includes practical measures that countries can take.

❗ What does the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union mean for #climateaction? 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dJkw_Bbz Bellona Europa #decarbonisation #industry #CleanTechnology #electrification #competitiveness #renewables

Check out this map. What do you see? These regions in the #EU aren't just regions in distress or economic decline. These are regions that have a once in a century opportunity to re-industrialize based on new economic economic opportunities and powered by clean energy. "Across #Europe, success stories highlight the ingredients for a #justtransition out of fossil industries: union and civil society engagement, worker retraining programs, and above all, #renewableenergy projects that attract further investments." The latest briefing from the European Environmental Bureau delves into how the EU Just Transition Fund can drive lasting jobs, stronger communities, and cleaner environments through renewable projects. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eaNcDTj3

A great report and set of examples of how #justtransitions are playing out across #Europe and the ways that coordinated funding by government can drive action. Thanks for the share Kartikeya Singh - much inspiration here.

🌍 What does the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union mean for #climateaction?     On January 1st, Poland assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, a role it will hold until June 30th. Bellona believes that the Polish Presidency priorities fall short of aligning European #competitiveness and security with the urgent need for #climateaction.      Our key asks for this Presidency ⬇️   ✅ Advance ambitious yet realistic industrial decarbonisation while maintaining the competitiveness of European industries;    ✅ Ensure climate change remains central, by prioritising clean technologies and solutions, as well as climate financing;     ✅ Promote a broader approach to the concept of security, pushing for more electrification and integration of renewable energy;    ✅ Set a clear and strong 2040 target, with aprecise targeted agenda;    ✅ Establish mandatory environmental criteria in public tenders to enable the creation of lead markets for low-carbon products & encourage the development of ambitious whole-life carbon  requirements for buildings;    Read more in our article:  https://lnkd.in/dyDBEchx   #climateactionnow #EU #climate #Poland #CouncilofEU #presidency #priorities #Poland25eu #decarbonisation #climatetargets #climategoals #netzero

Europe needs to scale up #carbonremoval technologies if it is to meet its climate commitments. In order for this to happen, policy options must be made available which support the growth of the voluntary and compliance markets to create demand for carbon removal credits. 🇪🇺 The EU Commission is making good progress. For example, its 2040 climate target recommendation includes an ambition to deliver up to 400 MtCO2 of carbon removals and the agreement on the Carbon Removal Certification Framework (#CRCF) will ensure carbon removal credits are high integrity. The Green Claims Directive, currently being discussed in the European Parliament, also has an important role to play. 🌎 In order to successfully scale up carbon removals, policy options must be made available which support the growth of the voluntary and compliance markets to create demand for carbon removal credits. 💡 🗞️ Read more from our Head of Public Affairs and Policy, EU and Asia, Katarzyna (Kasia) Wilk in this Euractiv article: https://lnkd.in/eWkyDRet

EU Environment Ministers recently convened to deliberate on the European Commission’s proposal to reduce net #greenhouse gas #emissions by 90% of 1990 levels by #2040. Read more 👇 https://lnkd.in/dMA7xkhM