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01 Nov 2024, 16:30
Kira Taylor
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EU

Dispatch from the European Union | November '24

As the world heads to the international climate summit COP29, the European Union is in a tricky position. The Brussels machine is still getting back up and running after the June elections, with the European Commission chiefs yet to be confirmed. This means the EU is going into COP without knowing who its next climate commissioner is and without a formally proposed emissions reduction target for 2040.

*** Our weekly Dispatches provide an overview of the most relevant recent and upcoming developments for the shift to climate neutrality in selected European countries, from policy and diplomacy to society and industry. For a bird's-eye view of the country's climate-friendly transition, read the respective 'Guide to'. ***

will be the stepping stone between the EU鈥檚 2030 target to reduce net emissions by 55 percent and its 2050 net-zero emissions goal. The European Commission is to its guns and suggesting a 90 percent net reduction, but this still needs to be approved by EU countries and the European Parliament, meaning the EU is going to COP29 without much to show in terms of a concrete increase in ambition since COP28, particularly regarding a new nationally determined contribution and emissions reduction target.

Internally, EU energy and environment laws are also on shaky ground. A significant number of green laws have been agreed in the past five years, but these now need to be implemented. Some, like the much-debated and a , are already facing pushback.

Stories to watch in the weeks ahead

  • COP29. The summit will take place from in Azerbaijan. While many see it as a stepping stone between COP28 and COP30, others point to its important role as the last COP before countries turn in their new nationally determined contributions and a key forum for agreeing on a new climate finance goal (NCQG). On 14 October, EU countries on , including hopes for an 鈥渁chievable and fit for purpose鈥 finance goal, and calls to increase mitigation efforts and transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems. They also to nuclear energy, a significant shift in the EU鈥檚 approach. It comes as the International Renewable Energy Agency that the world risks falling short of the goals set at COP28. Meanwhile, the European Parliament has host country Azerbaijan鈥檚 human rights record.
  • Top job approvals. The European Parliament will grill between . This is where Parliament can flex its muscles and reject candidates as well as push for more details on the Commission鈥檚 plans. Key hearings to watch are those of Dan J酶rgensen, candidate for energy and housing commissioner; Wopke Hoekstra (climate, net zero and clean growth); Jessika Roswall (environment and competitive circular economy); and Teresa Ribera, whose job will be to oversee their work. Candidates have already answered written questions and their answers have been .
  • Potential delay for anti-deforestation law. The European Union鈥檚 landmark anti-deforestation law , following concerns it is . The law aims to reduce the EU鈥檚 role in global deforestation in sectors including palm oil, cattle, soy, coffee, cocoa, timber, rubber and related products. It was scheduled to come into effect at the end of 2024 but the European Commission has proposed , 聽and issued for its implementation. EU countries have already approved this and the European Parliament will . While it was heralded by environmental organisations , several countries and companies it could push up prices.

The latest from EU policy making 鈥 last month in recap

  • COP16. Countries are finishing up the international biodiversity summit, COP16, in Colombia. Ahead of this, EU countries their commitment to implementing the agreed in 2022 鈥 aiming to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, and protect a third of the planet鈥檚 nature by 2030 鈥 and to support the financial mechanism created to help achieve this target. At the summit, the EU announced several funds worth almost 鈧160 million.聽 That includes money to combat wildlife trafficking, sustainably manage biodiversity in the high seas, and increase knowledge in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. It will also step up efforts to leverage private capital. Read the EU鈥檚 full position and a summary of the meeting by Vox .
  • Phase-out of new combustion engine cars. The tug of war over rules to phase out sales of new combustion engine cars by 2035 continues. The European Commission is by it and has support from certain industry groups, like . However, car makers like and want it changed and EU countries like and the are trying to rally support against it.
  • Countries propose energy and climate goals. Greece has a more ambitious renewable energy target for 2030 in its new national energy and climate plan (NECP). All EU countries need to turn these in to the Commission to prove they are on track to meet the bloc鈥檚 goals. Greece will target an 82 percent share of renewables in its electricity generation by the end of the decade, up from 66 percent in its previous plan. That would be a big increase in the country鈥檚 renewable energy capacity 鈥 , wind and solar made up just over 41 percent of its electricity production. Meanwhile, the Commission told Austria its planned emissions reductions and energy efficiency measures.
  • Energy prices still on the agenda. EU energy ministers about energy prices at their meeting on 15 October, citing price spikes in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. They discussed potential solutions, including increasing cross-border transmission capacity, investing in interconnection and enhancing cooperation. Meanwhile, energy ministers from North Sea countries have the European Commission to do more to support offshore wind, including ensuring criteria for tendering projects are uniform and financing rules for cross-border infrastructure are clear. In November, EU leaders will also competitiveness and a unified energy market, which would mean better coordination, more energy flowing between countries and fewer price differences.

Kira鈥檚 picks - Highlights from upcoming events and top reads

  • Essential reads
    • The Financial Times鈥 Alice Hancock has a of the ongoing battle over the 2035 ban on the sale of new combustion engine cars.
    • The intricacies of a neglected proposal to address differences in gas and electricity prices are explained in this by Politico鈥檚 Gabriel Gavin and Federica Di Sario about Greta Thunberg鈥檚 arrest while protesting fossil fuel subsidies.
    • Politico journalists Lucia Mackenzie and Gabriel Gavin how Europe鈥檚 energy market has changed since Russia invaded Ukraine.
    • Don鈥檛 miss FORESIGHT Climate & Energy鈥檚 deep dive podcast , which I鈥檓 co-hosting with FORESIGHT鈥檚 editor-in-chief David Weston and energy expert Jan Rosenow. For our first series, we鈥檙e gearing up for COP29 by looking at the energy mix of 2030 and what is needed to get there.
  • Events: will take place from 18 to 21 November. The event will include an exhibition and panel discussions on hydrogen鈥檚 role in the energy transition. It is a collaboration between industry group Hydrogen Europe, Hydrogen Europe Research, the European Commission and the Clean Hydrogen Partnership.
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