Brussels, 23/07/2020 (Agence Europe) – While welcoming the agreement between Member State leaders on the post-Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan and the European Union’s 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) (see EUROPE 12532/2), the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE), a group of European businesses and organisations advocating greater energy efficiency, called on Thursday 23 July for a strengthening of “climate conditionality” as part of the recovery. “We need clearer rules, including a stringent definition of harmful activities, to ensure that no EU-backed spending is directed to investments at odds with the climate neutrality goal”, said Monica Frassoni, President of the EU-ASE. The Alliance also lamented the budget cuts in the Just Transition Fund (see EUROPE 12533/3) and InvestEU (from €30.3 billion to €5.6 billion), two instruments which it considers “very relevant to ensure a smooth transition” to climate neutrality. (DG)