The Brussels rumour mill is churning as the EU bubble buzzes with whispers about who will secure key portfolios in the next College of Commissioners. Do you want to hear a secret? Rumour has it, Italy’s Raffaele Fitto will be landing a top post as Executive Vice-President. Not too shabby, Meloni!
| Draghi report on EU Competitiveness: Mario Draghi, the former chief of the European Central Bank, presented today, 9 September, his report on EU Competitiveness. The report highlights three key areas the EU needs to focus on: closing the innovation gap, joint plan for decarbonisation and competitiveness and increasing security and reducing dependencies. 2040 Climate target: During the 4 September ENVI meeting, Peter Liese, the coordinator of the EPP stated that the political group is not ready to support the reduction of emissions by 90% which is the 2040 climate target announced by the European Commission earlier this year. Guidance on waste heat – Renewable Energy Directive (RED): The Commission has published its Guidance on heating and cooling aspects in Articles 15a, 22a, 23 and 24 of the Renewable Energies Directive (EU) 2018/2001, as amended. Guidance on the targets for the consumption of renewable fuels of non-biological origin – Renewable Energy Directive (RED): On 2 September, the Commission published a guide on the targets for the consumption of renewable fuels of non-biological origin. The document specifies the scope of application of the RFNBO target in article 22A. Industrial Emission Directive (IED): The consolidated version of Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 as amended by Directive 2024/178 on industrial and livestock rearing emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) is now available in EUR-Lex. Ambient Air Quality Directive: The provisional agreement was given the green light by the European Parliament in April. Since no objections were raised during the 4 September ENVI Committee meeting, the last step in order for the text to be approved and written in the Official Journal of the EU, is the final approval by MEPs during the next plenary meeting: the week of 16th September. European city air quality viewer – European Environment Agency (EEA) study: On 29 August, the EEA published a study on the quality of air in European cities with more than 50 000 inhabitants. EU Construction & Demolition Waste Management Protocol (CDW): The new protocol and guidance on CDW has been published. The Protocol aims to ‘enhance confidence in CDW management processes and increase trust in re-used products and recycled materials’. EU Extractive Waste Directive – an analysis: On 26 August, the NGO Transport & Environment published an analysis of the EU’s mining activities, concluding that the current standards for managing mine waste are not up to par. National Emission Reduction Commitments Directive (NEC): The European Commission has opened a consultation on the NEC Directive from 3 September to 26 November. Hoekstra speech on Chinese goods and renewable hydrogen: EU Observer reports that during a speech to students of the Technical University Eindhoven in his home country of the Netherlands, Wopke Hoekstra, the current EU Commissioner for climate action and the Netherlands’ nominee for the College of Commissioners, stated that China represents a danger for European industries. Recommendations for the new European Commission – Climate Action Network Europe (CAN): On 3 September, the NGO CAN published a series of recommendations addressed to the European Commission’s new mandate.European Commissions’ Climate Resilience Dialogue – final report: On 2 September, the European Commission’s Climate Resilience Dialogue published its final report, which provides an overview of the main climate issues to people and businesses, as well as a summary of the proposed actions such as investment in disaster risk management. College of Commissioners: The Commissioner hearings have been delayed from their original date in September and will now likely take place in in mid-October, reports Politico.Sweden permanent representation: On 2 September, Karin Eckerdal joined the permanent representation of Sweden. Before this, she worked for the Swedish Ministry of Climate and Enterprise. Finland permanent representation: On 2 September, Lauri Hirvonen joined the permanent representation of Finland. He previously worked in the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. |
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