Under the chairmanship of Anton Anton of Romania, European energy ministers are expected to reach a 'general approach' on Monday, 4 March in Brussels on the proposal for a regulation on the labelling of tyres. They will also have a policy debate on the Commission's communication entitled ‘A Clean Planet for all - a European strategic long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate-neutral economy’ (see EUROPE 12121).
The Council should adopt its position on the proposal for a regulation on the labelling of tyres with relative ease. A more efficient tyre labelling system will lead to cleaner, safer and quieter vehicles and thus contribute to the decarbonisation of the transport system (see EUROPE 12199). Negotiations with the European Parliament are not expected to start until autumn on this issue.
Climate. Energy now accounts for more than 75% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions. The Commission therefore foresees a central role for the energy sector in the transition to carbon neutrality.
A note from the Romanian Presidency, drafted to structure the public debate in the Council in which Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete will participate, points out that to ensure the pathway for a net-zero greenhouse gas economy, the Communication describes seven building blocks, out of which two are referring explicitly to energy as follows: maximising the benefits from Energy Efficiency and maximising the deployment of renewables and the use of electricity to fully decarbonise Europe’s energy supply.
The Communication elaborates on the deployment of no-regret options such as renewables, including sustainable advanced biofuels, energy efficiency, including buildings, together with individual options such as electrification, hydrogen and alternative fuels. Reference is also made to the increased use of renewable electricity and biogas. Ministers are invited to comment on: - the changes needed to reduce the high share of total greenhouse gas emissions for which the energy sector is responsible; - the contributions of new technological solutions (hydrogen, gas production from electricity, storage, biomass); - the best way to implement the evolution profile towards a low carbon society.
Gas. The Romanian Presidency will inform Ministers on the progress of work on the proposal to amend the Gas Directive (2009/73/EC). A political agreement between institutions was reached on 12 February, confirmed on 20 February at the level of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (see EUROPE 12199). The final adoption of the text is expected in the spring.
The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). The Presidency will inform ministers of the progress of ongoing work on the CEF for the next EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2021-2027. The Romanian Presidency and representatives of the European Parliament hope to reach a partial interinstitutional agreement on Thursday, 7 March on the architecture of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for the period 2021-2027 (see EUROPE 12198). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)