On Thursday 18 March, the European Environment Ministers all stressed the importance of national recovery and resilience plans for Europe’s urgent post-pandemic recovery by supporting the green and digital transition.
But their exchange of views via videoconference on the link between the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) and the greening of the ‘European Semester’—the fiscal period of economic policy coordination—showed that they also all felt that the implementation of national plans alone would not be sufficient to ensure the green transition (see EUROPE 12679/13, 12670/23).
The €672.5 billion RRF is at the heart of the Next Generation EU Recovery Plan (see EUROPE 12657/8). Complementary measures at national and European level will be needed, as well as mobilisation of other funds from the EU’s 2021-2027 budget to accompany the transition, according to the ministers.
All delegations agreed that the national plans, to be submitted to the Commission by April, will only be one “crucial step”, “a good starting point” to move towards a long-term sustainable economy, as defined by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“It is important that the European Semester ensure that the EU’s environmental and climate commitments are met”, stressed Commission Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans, responsible for the European Green Deal, at the start of the debate.
Ireland stressed the importance of reforming the CAP, arguing that the EU is not committed to the changes needed to diversify farms and ensure their sustainability.
In terms of priority principles for greening the European Semester, most delegations cited the earmarking of 37% of investments for climate objectives and the respect of the principle of 100% of investments that do no significant harm.
The Czech Republic argued for the application of the principle of no significant harm to be included in the Taxonomy Regulation. This is to avoid the Commission, through delegated acts, setting complicated criteria that are stricter than those set out in the RRF and jeopardising rapid access to resources after the crisis. The Czech initiative to have natural gas recognised as eligible for household supply is supported by Romania. These countries, like Poland, insist that support measures be socially acceptable and not impose an additional burden on citizens.
“We will not approve plans that do not meet the 37% target. There is still a lot of work to do”, warned Mr Timmermans. “I urge you to encourage your colleagues in your governments to make these national plans a success.”
The Portuguese Minister for the Environment and Energy Transition, João Pedro Matos Fernandes, said he would summarise the exchange as a contribution from the EU Environment Council to the European Semester process, which now includes the SDGs. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)