European Climate Neutrality Observatory (ECNO)’s Post

The European Parliament has approved Ursula von der Leyen's second-term Commission with 370 votes in favour, 282 against, and 36 abstentions. The new Commission will officially begin its five-year term on 1 December. Incoming Commissioners Teresa Ribera, Stéphane Séjourné, and Wopke Hoekstra will play an integral part in overseeing the management and deployment of CCS. The sector urgently requires strong political leadership, active engagement with industry, and clear legislative direction. We urge the new Commission to hit the ground running from day one and place CCS at the top of this term's priorities. Achieving our net-zero targets depends on decisive action and unwavering commitment. There is no turning back now. #MakeCCSHappen #NoNetZeroWithoutCCS

Today’s the last day for EP hearings for Commissioner-designates. From promoting equitable growth to fostering green and digital transitions, the next European Commission has a chance to shape a fairer, more sustainable Europe for all. We need policies that ensure no consumer is left behind, with a fair transition to a greener, competitive economy.

To echo German MEP Terry Reintke, Europe needs to be the leading force in green technology and economy! Big thank you to POLITICO Europe for organising such an insightful and thought-provoking event on "Europe's Road to Sustainable Competitiveness." I had a wonderful time attending and representing The Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus (REC Caucasus). I would also like to express my appreciation to all the distinguished speakers who shared their invaluable insights and perspectives: - Heike Prinz, Labor Director and Chief Talent Officer at Bayer AG, for emphasizing the importance of creating the right framework conditions for industries to thrive while meeting sustainability targets. - Johan Hanssens, Secretary General at the Department of Economy, Science, and Innovation, Flemish Government, for highlighting the urgent need for coordinated action at the European level to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. - Kurt Vandenberghe, Director General of DG CLIMA, European Commission, for outlining the EU's international agenda on climate action and the imperative of a comprehensive industrial strategy for a successful green transition. - Marco Mensink, Director General of the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), for stressing the significance of implementing the Antwerp Declaration and mobilizing investments for green transformation. - MEP Terry Reintke, Co-President of the Greens/EFA Group, for emphasizing the dual importance of sustainability and competitiveness and the need for targeted investments to drive the green transition. The event underscored the imperative of integrating sustainability into our economic policies and fostering innovation to drive Europe towards a greener, more competitive future. I am inspired by the commitment and dedication demonstrated by all participants towards this shared goal. #EUSustainableCompetition #EU2030 #GreenTransition #ClimateAction

The new #EU Commission line up suggests continuity on #EUGreenDeal and #climateaction, but a big change in economic policy, as proposed by #Draghi. First, with Teresa #Ribera, Wopke #Hoekstra and Dan #Jorgenssen on climate, energy and green transition there's a group of people with a strong and proven commitment to the energy transition. Good luck to carmakers asking Ribera to cancel the EU car CO2 regs. I expect that with #Sefcovic on trade we are going to see a big change in how the EU approaches unfair competition, including on #EVs and #batteries. I would expect Ribera to want to overhaul state aid policies, working together with Stéphane #Séjourné, another Frenchman on industry. I'd expect continuity but a very different style ... (we all have our #Breton stories). The new SUSTAINABLE transport Commissioner, #Tzitkikostas, I do not know. Greece has an obvious interest and expertise in shipping but less obvious special interests on the road and rail side. That's good. Whether he reports to Ribera or someone else I don't know yet (that matters). Jessika Rosswall, from Sweden, on Environment sounds like good news. All in all this seems like a strong and balanced Commission.

Excellent news abt the appointment of Teresa Ribera on the top EU post on climate and anti-trust policy. I was in her team of experts (the Progressive Society) for the Great Shift report in 2021. I remember her as clever, kind, competent, and eager to take unorthodox advice (e.g. my suggestion that what turns people against green policy is generalized precarity). https://lnkd.in/eijdDNmH

https://lnkd.in/diK7CnYx <<1. The International Honorary Chair (CIO-SUERD ”Jean Bart”) will award the Titles and Diplomas of Excellence  “European Sustainable Competitiveness Brand Ambassadors / Leaders” in the final networking and inter-institutional lobby ession, which will take place in the context of the celebration of the World Earth Day– Monday, April 22th, 2024 (Romanian Academy House, Calea 13 Septembrie no. 13, “Pierre Werner” Hall, ground floor), with the kind support and in partnership with the Legal Research Institute “Acad. Andrei Rădulescu” of the Romanian Academy . 2. The event takes place in the format of a Working Consultations Debate in support of the promotion and implementation of sustainable competitiveness management in Romania and in the wider macro-regional, Danube and Black Sea Basin context; the role of harmonizing and updating EU regulatory legislation related to environmental law in promoting the culture of sustainability (ESG).>> At the Conference at the HQ of the Romanian Academy , the European Parliament will be represented by the Vice President of the Nicu STEFANUTA of the GREENS/EFA from Romania. He kindly accepted to receive from CIOSUERD Jean BART the Title and the Diploma of Excellence as Leader of the European Sustainable Competitivness . All our gratitude for his involvment and a lot of succes in continuing his remarcable activity as indepeendent MEP within the further mandate within the European Parliament :https://lnkd.in/dpctG_fe #EP #sustainability #transition #resilience #Greens #EFA #leadership #competitive #eco #environment #GreenDeal

Exciting progress for #IntergenerationalJustice in the EU! 🇪🇺 Ursula von der Leyen's plan to appoint a Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness marks a crucial step in addressing the UN's stark reminder: decisions made today will affect 2 billion children born by 2050. This initiative aligns with innovative approaches urgently needed in our rapidly changing world: Child-lens investing: Cristina Shapiro, President of UNICEF USA Impact Fund for Children, emphasizes: "By applying a child lens to investment decisions, we can create a future where every child can thrive" (UNICEF USA, 2023). Wales' Future Generations Commissioner: Building on this model, Sophie Howe states: "We need to fundamentally change the way we make decisions... to make sure that we're thinking about the long term in everything that we do" (BBC, 2023). Finland's 'Committee for the Future': Since 1993, this parliamentary body has demonstrated the impact of institutionalised foresight in policymaking. Alexander Mazyar Rostami from UNICEF's Innovative Finance Hub adds: "Innovative financing mechanisms can bridge the gap between short-term political cycles and long-term needs of children and future generations" (UNICEF, 2024). In their Project Syndicate article, Béla Kuslits and Katalin Sulyok outline key recommendations for the EU role, which could amplify the impact of existing initiatives like the European Green Deal: ⚖️ "The rights of future generations must be legally defined and enforceable." 🔭 "Foresight must become an essential component of EU lawmaking." 👥 "Ordinary citizens' perspectives should be incorporated into strategic discussions." They emphasise: "Our proposals can help ensure that today's decisions do not compromise the well-being of those not yet born." Youth climate activist Clover Hogan reminds us: "We need to move from a place of fear to a place of possibility." This new role could help address youth concerns by giving them a voice in EU policymaking. However, implementing true intergenerational fairness will require overcoming short-term political pressures and economic constraints. How can we address these challenges? Read the article below #EUPolicy #FutureGenerations #ChildLensInvesting #SustainableGovernance #fitforfuturegenerations

This week, Ursula von der Leyen’s new team is taking office and I would like to address my warmest congratulations to the new European Commissioners! Your selection is a testament to your expertise, dedication, and the positive impact you are poised to make on the European stage. As we look ahead to this new political term, it is clear that your roles will be pivotal in navigating the complex challenges and opportunities that Europe is facing today. To achieve the European Union’s #decarbonisation targets, significant policies are needed to unlock investments and leverage a broad range of low-carbon technologies from a strong, competitive and innovative EU industrial basis. In this context, our industry stands ready to collaborate to assess the impact of existing and new regulations, suggest corrective actions, and unlock technological and investment potential 🤝. Our sector and all our members look forward to engaging with you to contribute meeting EU’s objectives for a sustainable, secure and affordable future for all EU citizens.

🕓This is an exciting new beginning in Brussels. The new European Commission started last week and now, the countdown has begun! Within its first 100 days, we can expect the strategy for the Clean Industrial Deal to be out.   What can we learn from our experience during the past mandate?   Our takeaway in one sentence is…   𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀.   Yes, that’s right! As an industry leader or a Public Affairs professional, early engagement is key to ensure you are part of the conversation from the start, having a say in shaping policies and opportunities that will necessarily affect your future as an organisation.   💚Our Managing Partner Jasper Nagtegaal is taking a step forward to shed some clarity on this shifting period, ensure that all the developments coming from the EU institutions are accessible for you and all the relevant organisations willing to stay on top of the game!   Hope you won’t get tired to see his face popping up in our future outings!   🔎Speaking of clarity – have you already seen the structure of the new Commission? We’ll drop it at that. Stay tuned for our next video!   #CleanIndustrialDeal #EUGreenTransition #FromGreenToClean