Short Summary Energy Focus Group

Initial summary of the discussions of the Energy Focus Group. More details to follow. In […]

20/03/2014

Initial summary of the discussions of the Energy Focus Group. More details to follow.

In terms of what to expect at the Council summit, many anticipate that the situation in Ukraine will shadow the climate and energy debates. Consequently it’s possible that no real decisions will be taken and instead more of a timeline on when the decisions will be taken.

It seems that there are still a lot of divergence between member states on what and how the targets should be.

In the general discussion in our focus group, it was agreed that in the end that although it is important to have ambitious targets, and that learning from the past set of targets if they are not legally binding they will not be reached, however there is more at stake. The framework doesn’t get into the policy detail of how the framework will be implemented, also what the investment  and infrastructure plans and costs are likely to be for instance.

A lot comes down to the Emissions Trading Scheme and how and when this will be revived especially when considering our Greenhouse gas emissions.

Many NGOs felt that the framework doesn’t go far enough. The MEPs are quite happy from the progressive side, from the Parliamentary report which heavily criticised the Commission white paper. Whereas the energy companies feel that the current framework does not give enough long-term predictability.

Background

The meeting of the energy focus group took place just before the European Council of Ministers summit which addresses the 2030 climate and energy framework.
Proposed by the European Commission in January and heavily criticised by the European Parliament this package is about to be decided at the Council summit. The seminar will focus on the original negotiations and the recommendations of the European Parliament looking towards outcomes that the Council may bring.
 
The focus group is a series of closed seminars with invited experts from a range of fields to discuss energy issues.

Find all related publications
Publications
26/06/2025

Strengthening and maintaining Just Transition goals in the EU Budget

The EU’s legally binding commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 demands a far-reaching socio-economic […]
24/06/2025

Serbia’s civic awakening: the 2024-2025 student protests in focus

Friends of the Western Balkans series
23/06/2025

Europe’s strategic role in global development

A call for ambition and reform
17/06/2025

Lessons learned from the Recovery and Resilience Facility for a future European fiscal capacity

The creation of the Recovery and Resilience Fund (RRF) as a response to the pandemic […]
Find all related news
News
16/05/2025

Joint statement by the Friends of the Western Balkans (FoWB)

Ljubljana, 16th May 2025 We, the Friends of the Western Balkans (FoWB) – representatives of […]
25/04/2025

Call for tender – Editorial services for FEPS recurrent flagship publications

This call for tender is now closed
13/03/2025

Europe’s defence strategy must be peace-oriented

FEPS Position Paper on European defence
10/03/2025

FEPS reaction to the Roadmap on Women’s Rights

On Friday 7 March, the European Commission presented its Roadmap for Women’s Rights ahead of […]
Find all related in the media
In the media

En Europe, les partis sociaux-démocrates se sont contentés d’une approche technocratique

by Le Point 04/07/2025
“In Europe, social democratic parties have relied too heavily on a technocratic approach” Interview with FEPS Secretary General László Andor in Le Point (FR), reflecting on the decline of social democracy in Europe and the need to renew its political vision in the face of nationalist challenges.

L’Europa del futuro: se ne parla a Siena. “Il dialogo per affrontare anni difficili”

by La Nazione 19/06/2025
"The Europe of the future: discussed in Siena. ‘Dialogue to tackle difficult years’" FEPS will be among the think tanks participating in this new edition of the Siena Vision conference

Europe’s Demographic Crisis: What’s Next for the Ageing EU? with László Andor

by Moving Europe Podcast 19/06/2025
FEPS Secretary General László Andor joins the Moving Europe Podcast to discuss Europe’s aging population and the demographic challenges it faces — including the consequences for pensions, healthcare, elections, regional disparities, and migration.

L’Europa del futuro: se ne parla a Siena. “Il dialogo per affrontare anni difficili

by La Nazione 04/06/2025
FEPS, and FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues, participation in the 6th Siena Conference on the Future of Europe is discussed in this article