Energy Commissioner-designate Kadri Simson has repeatedly highlighted the key role of energy efficiency as a lever to promote climate neutrality by 2050, Friday 27 September, in her answers to Members' written questions.
“A priority area will be to ensure that energy-efficiency-first principle [aimed at making energy reduction and waste a priority] is implemented across the board”, she says in a written question and answer exercise focused on combating climate change. To this end, she assured parliamentarians that she would examine how to improve the energy performance of buildings and increase renovation rates.
In addition, given that “the Union is not on track to deliver its 2020 target of improving energy efficiency by 20%", Ms Simson intends to commission an ex-post evaluation of policies and measures to achieve the energy efficiency and renewable energy targets for 2020.
Recognising that energy has a central role to play in the implementation of the European Green Deal, she has also promised to work closely with the Executive Vice-President designated for this purpose, Frans Timmermans.
A just energy transition. Simson then promised to offer specific support to communities in industrial, coal and carbon-intensive regions, which are likely to be more affected by the transition to carbon neutrality. To this end, she has indicated that she “will contribute to the design and implementation of a Just Transition Fund to be put forward by Commissioner-designate Elisa Ferreira”.
She also wished to stress the importance of combating energy poverty, in particular by rapidly implementing the Clean Energy for All Europeans package and by ensuring that Member States “give energy poverty the necessary priority as they develop and implement their National Energy and Climate Plans”.
General skills. Asked about her skills, Ms Simson mainly highlighted her former position as Minister of Economy and Infrastructure in Estonia, also responsible for energy policy, as well as her past as an MEP. According to her, this last function now allows her to be fully aware of the importance of the European Parliament's role.
“I commit to proactively engage with the European Parliament at all stages of the policy-making and legislative processes”, she assured parliamentarians.
Ms Simson's hearing will take place on Thursday 3 October before the MEPs of the ‘Industry, Research and Energy’ and ‘Environment’ committees.
See Ms Simson's answers: https://bit.ly/2mcMhLB (Original version in French by Damien Genicot – intern)