EU Insight, 17 January 2020, Brussels

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT’S RESOLUTION ON EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL

This week the Parliament adopted a resolution on the European Green Deal. The text welcomes the Commission’s initiative, unveiled in December 2019, and supports the Sustainable Investment Plan to close the investment gap. However, it also highlights challenges, including ensuring a just and inclusive transition and the need for high interim targets. In particular, the resolution sees shortcomings in the upcoming Climate Law, for which MEPs would like to see the 55% emission reduction (compared to 1990) target in 2030 set more firmly. Lastly, the adopted text calls for a WTO-compliant carbon border adjustment mechanism to prevent carbon leakage.

COMMISSION ISSUES PROPOSALS TO FINANCE THE GREEN TRANSITION

The European Commission published a Communication on the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan (SEIP) and a proposal for a Regulation on the Just Transition Fund (JTF). The SEIP is the financing arm of the European Green Deal and aims to mobilise EUR 1 trillion over the next ten years, partially through the EU budget but also by incentivising private investment and Member States’ participation. The Fund is a dedicated facility which, together with InvestEU and the European Investment Bank, forms the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM). The JTM aims to mobilise EUR 100 billion between 2021-2027 focusing on regions with the most greenhouse gas intensive industries.

PARLIAMENT CONCERNS ABOUT CITIZENS’ RIGHTS POST-BREXIT

The European Parliament held a debate on citizens’ rights in the context of Brexit with the Croatian Presidency of the Council and the European Commission. MEPs adopted a resolution that seeks to safeguard citizens’ rights and expresses concerns about freedom of movement and the length of the transition period. The text calls for information campaigns to be launched to prepare citizens and urges governments in EU27 member states to adopt measures to provide legal certainty for UK citizens residing in their territory. The European Parliament is expected to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement on 29 January, before the UK leaves the EU two days later.

COMMISSION COMMITS TO STRENGHTENING EUROPEAN PILLAR OF SOCIAL RIGHTS

The European Commission published a Communication on building a strong social Europe for just transitions. The document builds on the European Pillar of Social Rights, issued by in 2017. It sets out how social policy can help deliver on current challenges and opportunities, proposing action at EU level for the months to come, and seeking feedback on further action at all levels in the areas of employment, social rights, skills and education. This year, the Commission is planning to set in motion several targeted projects under the Social Europe umbrella, including on gender equality, skills, youth empowerment, demographic changes and unemployment.

PARLIAMENT POSITION ON THE CONFERENCE ON THE FUTURE OF EUROPE

The European Parliament adopted this week its position on the Conference on the Future of Europe, which will bring together citizens, civil society and European institutions to discuss ideas for the EU going forward. The Conference will start in May and continue for two years. The European Parliament’s resolution notes that, as the only elected body of the EU, it should take a leading role in the process. The Commission will publish its own input for the Conference next week while the Council, under the Croatian Presidency, will discuss its position on 28 January.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK

• 20 January: Eurogroup. On the agenda: IMF mission to the euro area, updated Portuguese draft budgetary plan, priorities of new governments.
• 20 January: EU-Kazakhstan Cooperation Council. On the agenda: Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, trade matters, regional cooperation.
• 20 January: Foreign Affairs Council. On the agenda: Bolivia, India, Libya, Venezuela, Sahel, climate diplomacy.
• 21 January: Economic and Financial Affairs Council. On the agenda: digital taxation, European Green Deal Investment Plan, European Semester.
• 23-24 January: Informal Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial Meeting. On the agenda: implementation of the 2019-2024 Strategic Agenda, the Strategic Guidelines on Freedom, Security and Justice.