CEEP’s views to the consultation on Commission’s Draft Delegated Regulation under Article 8 of the Taxonomy Regulation

CEEP’s views to the consultation on Commission’s Draft Delegated Regulation under Article 8 of the Taxonomy Regulation

Jun 1, 2021

CEEP is convinced, that the Taxonomy Regulation will play a crucial role in the EU’s efforts to reach the climate neutrality by 2050. Therefore, we welcome the possibility to comment the Commission’s draft Delegated Act under Article 8 of the Taxonomy Regulation, and we would like to make two important points. Reporting obligations should be phased in, starting with the scope listed explicitly in the EU Taxonomy Regulation The Taxonomy Regulation is only one of the elements in the sustainable finance ecosystem that has been created in the EU. For this reason, coherence and alignment between different EU acts is crucial. The implementation of the whole sustainable finance package (including NFRD, CSRD, SFRD, EU GBS and Ecolabel) poses a great challenge both for non-financial companies and the financial sector. Keeping in mind that the taxonomy is supposed to be a dynamic tool which will be regularly reviewed and amended, we suggest to phase-in the reporting obligations, starting with the scope listed explicitly in the EU Taxonomy Regulation article 8(1). Other elements of reporting mentioned by the Commission in the project of Disclosures Delegated Act, namely: CapEx plan, breakdown of the KPIs based on the economic activity pursued, specific ratio for the share of Taxonomy-eligible economic activities and the share of economic activities that are not covered by the Taxonomy, any qualitative information, shall be reported on the voluntary basis, until the Delegated Act is revised and amended. This will help to reduce additional costs in collecting, organising, and disclosing taxonomy-relevant information to a minimum. The EC should reconsider the proposed timeframe and give the companies more time to properly [...]
Job vacancy

Job vacancy

May 17, 2021

Central Europe Energy Partners (CEEP) is currently looking for a professional who will join its team in Brussels at the position of EU Policy Advisor. Skills and experience required: Good understanding of EU energy and climate policy Knowledge or interest with Central European region At least three years of relevant experience, preferably in energy sector, at the EU institutions, international organisation, think tank or academic institution Degree in economy, international relations, European studies, law or other relevant discipline Fluency in English and at least one language from the Central European region Good analytical and organisational skills, able to pay attention to detail Ability to take initiative and solve problems Ability to work effectively both independently and as a part of a team Be authorized to live and work in Belgium Your main tasks will be: Actively contribute to CEEP’s policy and analytical work on energy and climate topics, including drafting and writing position papers, policy briefs, articles and other publications Monitor and analyse energy and climate policy development on the EU and Central European level Maintain liaison with EU institutions and relevant stakeholders Support the communication work i.e. in organising events, preparing publications What we offer: Six months contract, with the aim of extending beyond this period A competitive salary package dependent on the work experience Opportunities for professional development and networking A professional and pleasant working atmosphere within a small team Centrally located office near the Schuman roundabout How to apply: Please send your application (CV and cover letter) to office@ceep.be (Subject line: “Application for the position of EU Policy advisor”) The deadline for application is 31st of May 2021 [...]
ERCST-CEEP’s recommendations on funding mechanisms in the revised EU ETS

ERCST-CEEP’s recommendations on funding mechanisms in the revised EU ETS

May 4, 2021

On 14 July, the European Commission will present its Fit for 55 package that aims to deliver the 2030 climate target of 55%. The package will include 13 policy strands that fundamentally overhaul the EU’s climate policy. It will also include the revision of the EU Emission Trading System. Furthermore, we observe that EU carbon allowance prices hit an all time high and the EU carbon price today hits record high 50 euros a tonne. Based on ERCST and CEEP’s long-standing expertise on the EU ETS, previous work done on the funding mechanisms, engagement and consultations with climate policy experts, policymakers and stakeholders, we propose 7 major recommendations to the use of auctioning revenues and design of the funding mechanisms in light of the review of the EU ETS under the European Green Deal: Ensure auctioning revenues are fully mobilised to for climate and energy purposes. Safeguard the solidarity mechanism from the functioning of the Market Stability Reserve (MSR). Ensure an adequately increased Modernisation Fund. Maintain trust and stability by keeping financing rules for the Modernisation Fund unchanged until the 2024 review. Taking additional factors into account when distributing the modernisation fund among MS. Ensure sufficient revenues are mobilised through the Innovation Fund to finance breakthrough low-carbon technologies. Explore additional financing options to deploy low-carbon technologies at scale through the Innovation Fund. Download the recommendations. Have a nice [...]
Poland plans to build nuclear reactors

Poland plans to build nuclear reactors

Mar 1, 2021

Poland’s government adopted a plan to accelerate its transformation to clean energy and nuclear energy. Poland seeks renewables and nuclear power as a way to meet its energy goals. The country’s new energy policy would create around 300,000 jobs. Poland aims to reduce its dependence on coal and calls to obtain 23% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030, compared with 13% at present. The recently adopted energy plan foresees an increase in wind energy and the opening of Poland’s first nuclear power plant in 2033. Poland will invest around 33.7 billion euros in nuclear energy and will build six reactors from 2033 to 2043, with a capacity of six to nine gigawatts. Financing of the nuclear would be challenging but Poland had concluded that nuclear energy has a crucial role in providing baseload power in the energy system stressed Adam Guibourgé-Czetwertyński, Poland’s undersecretary of state for climate and environment. In October, Poland signed a nuclear intergovernmental partnership with the USA to cooperate the development of Poland's civil nuclear power programme. Currently, Poland holds talks regarding a financial scheme and a type of technology to the potential partners i.e. USA, France and South Korea. The government will chose a final location for reactors in 2022. For now, many places, which are situated in the north and central part of country are taken into consideration. Poland’s Climate Minister Michał Kurtyka underlined that a quite natural choice would be the Baltic coast. So far, Poland has no nuclear reactors. In the 1980s, construction of a first plant began at a small town on the Baltic coast, but the construction was abandoned in 1990. Source: [...]
Energy solidarity principle at the core of the January 13th ECJ hearing on OPAL pipeline

Energy solidarity principle at the core of the January 13th ECJ hearing on OPAL pipeline

Jan 19, 2021

“We are convinced of the strength of the arguments put forward by Poland. Currently, our cooperation with the European Commission on OPAL and many other key topics for EU energy security is constructive and undertaken in a spirit of a very good cooperation” said Michał Kurtyka, Polish Minister for Climate and Environment after the ECJ Grand Chamber questioned the Commission, Poland and Germany on the OPAL case and the significance of European energy solidarity.  On January 13, 2021, the European Court of Justice held the last hearing of parties on European Commission's 2016 Decision which granted Gazprom access to full capacity of the OPAL. The hearing closed a formal part of the proceedings in the Grand Chamber of the Court of Justice (2nd instance) on the German plea against the 2019 General Court’s (1st instance) ruling which stated that the Commission had breached the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU while issuing the OPAL Decision back in 2016. Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia called to uphold the 2019 ruling. The Court of Justice decided to organize a rare plenary sitting of the Grand Chamber (15 Judges).  This suggests it may wish to push for a clear interpretation of the principle of energy solidarity in its final ruling as well as deliberate on the legal obligations of Member States and the EU Institution, something that has been eluding the Union since the Lisbon Treaty. Likely, it will be a landmark ruling for countries that have argued for solidarity and energy security to be pillars of the European Union for years. – The hearing at the Grand Chamber of the Court [...]