From now until the end of the year, #Spain holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union (#EU). In this role, they will chair ministerial sessions in Brussels and set some of the priorities of EU legislation.
The Spanish Presidency’s aim is to prioritize climate action and ecological transition while focusing on four key areas:
Reindustrialization
Ecological transition
Social and economic justice
European unity
What will the Spanish Presidency promote?
📜The Spanish Presidency will promote the development of strategic industries and technologies in Europe, with special attention given to the Critical Raw Materials Act, Net-Zero Industry Act, and Ecodesign Regulation.
💡The Presidency is committed to reforming the electricity market, accelerating renewable energy deployment, reducing prices, and improving system stability. It aims to incentivize demand-side flexibility and transition away from fossil gas peakers.
🌿The Presidency also emphasizes environmental adaptation, sustainable products, and regulations, such as Ecodesign for Sustainable Products, Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, and Construction Product Regulation to decarbonize the building sector. What are the implications for EU climate policy and carbon dioxide removal (#CDR)?
🗳Snap elections called by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez could potentially impact the presidency. The outcome may result in a right-wing coalition that may have less ambition on climate policy. While the elections may divert attention and time away from the EU, experts believe the impact on the presidency's technical operations will be minimal.
🔎The Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) is notably absent from the Spanish Presidency's program, raising concerns about the commitment to addressing carbon removal and ensuring transparency in climate efforts. The CRCF plays a vital role in certifying and verifying the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, providing a standardised framework for quantification, monitoring, and verification.
During Spain's presidency, negotiations on various legislative proposals will be crucial. The absence of the CRCF from the Presidency's priorities raises questions about its dedication to advancing carbon removal strategies and scaling up removal efforts.
❓What will you be looking out for during Spain’s presidency of the EU Council? Is there anything I’ve missed?
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