European Environment Ministers will be invited on Tuesday 5 March to a political debate on the Communication 'A Clean Planet for All' setting out the vision for a future long-term strategy for the EU by 2020 to make a successful transition to a climate-neutral European economy by 2050 (see EUROPE 12198, 12148).
A document from the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU will guide the discussion. It highlights that massive investments will be needed to accelerate the technological innovations required in energy, buildings, transport, industry and agriculture, and that businesses and households will be the main drivers of these investments. In addition, some regions of Europe are more dependent than others on carbon-intensive industries and others better connected to infrastructure and transport networks.
Against this background, ministers will be invited to answer the following questions:
1) Based on their evaluation/analysis at national level of the efforts needed to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement, which elements of the long term vision are the most important with regard to the challenges and/or opportunities of the transition to a climate-neutral economy in a socially fair and cost-efficient manner? What kind of policies or tools at EU level could help address the specific challenges?
2) Bearing in mind that the required investments will have to be made by the private sector, what kind of framework is needed to stimulate investment, in particular in new technologies, R&D and innovation, as well as education and training, including for the retraining of workers?
European Industry Ministers have made a cautious contribution to the debate (see EUROPE 12148). Their colleagues in Foreign Affairs have expressed their willingness to intensify EU climate diplomacy this year (see EUROPE 12196).
A debate is scheduled at the European Council on 21-22 March for leaders to provide guidance on the general direction and political priorities of the future strategy to be presented by 2020 in line with the Paris Agreement (see EUROPE 12160). All relevant Council formations will be called upon in preparation for the Sibiu European Summit on the future of the EU, scheduled for 9 May. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)