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Lessons from the European Semester for Effective 2030 Governance for Energy and Climate

Publication: Report
Citation: Duwe, Matthias and Velten, Eike Karola (2016): Lessons from the European Semester for effective 2030 climate and energy governance. Ecologic Institute, Berlin.

Many open questions remain for the future governance system of the EU's 2030 climate and energy targets. This report by Ecologic Institute analyzes the possible lessons that can be drawn from the experience with the European Semester and helps provide answers on key procedural issues in the implementation/progress monitoring phase. The study is available for download.

The report looked at two options for implementing a more effective target-setting and planning process:

the European Semester as it stands today but with the inclusion of recommendations in the field of climate and energy as well as including further reaching improvements; and
a new "Energy Union Semester" that uses similar documents and procedures as the European Semester but focuses solely on the Energy Union objectives.

The study provides detailed recommendations on how the options would function and additional actions to be taken.

Developing 2050 Decarbonization Strategies in the EU

Insights on Good Practice from National Experiences

Year 2017

Publication:Report

To ensure that the aims of the 2030 EU climate and energy framework are met, European leaders agreed to establish a new governance system based an enhanced scheme for national planning and reporting (P&R). In the context of on-going policy discussions surrounding these so-called National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), this paper investigates EU Member States' experiences with the existing P&R obligations and identifies important lessons to be considered in the development of the new system. The paper is available for download.

Integrating National Reality into the 2030 Governance System

An assessment of experience with climate and energy planning and reporting in select EU Member States

Year 2016

Publication:Document

The Paris Agreement requires Parties to scale up their commitments every five years, i.e., with each consecutive "nationally determined contribution" (NDC). The recent proposal of the EU Commission for an Effort Sharing Regulation is essential for the EU to meet this obligation. The proposal, however, does not support adequately continuous scaling up of the EU greenhouse gas reduction targets. A new paper from Ecologic Institute discusses ways in which the Effort Sharing Regulation could support the scaling up of EU climate targets. The paper is available for download.

EU Effort Sharing after 2020

Review and Ratcheting Up EU Climate Targets

Year 2016

Publication:Document

As the EU considers early ratification of the Paris Agreement, this paper explains the related key legal questions that arise should the EU push to ratify without its internal burden sharing in place and without all Member States ratifying simultaneously. The paper is available for download.

Early Ratification of the Paris Agreement by the EU

Legal implications

Year 2016

Publication:Report

A new study by the Ecologic Institute shows how to ensure achievement of the 2030 EU target for renewable energy. The study is available for download.

Compliance with EU 2030 Renewable Energy Targets: How to Fill a Gap

Year 2016

Project

As part of ECF’s Governance Cluster, Ecologic Institute analyses adequate planning and reporting approaches for the 2030 energy and climate framework and on options to assess national contributions, address the gap issue and ensure compliance. Ecologic Institute also provides ongoing legal advice in the context of the Effort Sharing Decision revision and strategic guidance within the ECF Governance Cluster.

Analysis and Legal Advice for 2030 Climate and Energy Governance

Jan - Dec 2016

Language: English
Authorship: Matthias Duwe

Eike Karola Velten
Funding: European Climate Foundation (ECF), International
Year: 2016
Dimension: 22 pp.
Project: Analysis and Legal Advice for 2030 Climate and Energy Governance
Project ID: 2124
Table of contents: Click to show full table of contents

1 Background
2 The European Semester governance model
2.1 What is the European Semester?
2.2 What are the merits and drawbacks?
3 What is the possible function of the Semester for 2030 governance of climate and energy
3.1 The European Semester in "2030 reporting"
3.2 The European Semester in "2030 planning"
4 Two main options: reintegration or a new process?
4.1 Option 1a): Integrating recommendations for climate/energy back into the European Semester
4.2 Option 1b): the European Semester with significant improvements
4.3 Option 2): "Energy Union Semester" for planning and reporting
5 Conclusions
6 Literature
Keywords: Climate

Energy

Governance

Energy Union, planning, reporting, streamlining, European Semester, climate and energy targets, contributions, legal advice, European Member States

Europe

policy evaluation, policy evaluation, analysis of procedures, analysis of institutions, desk research

Further Links

PublicationCase StudyAssessment of Climate Change Policies in the Context of the European Semester - 2015

This collection of Country Reports assesses climate and energy policies in all 28 Members States of the European Union (EU). The reports were jointly produced by ICF International, Ecologic Institute and eclareon to support the Directorate General for Climate Action (DG... Read more

2015: Assessment of Climate Change Policies as part of the European Semester.

PublicationReportAssessment of Climate Change Policies in the Context of the European Semester - 2014

This collection of country reports assesses climate and energy policies in all 28 Members States of the European Union (EU). The reports were jointly produced by Ecologic Institute and eclareon to support the Directorate General for Climate Action (DG CLIMA) of the... Read more

Velten, Eike et al. 2014: Assessment of Climate Change Policies in the Context of the European Semester. 28 Country Reports. Berlin.

PublicationReportAssessment of Climate Change Policies in the Context of the European Semester – 2013

28 Länderstudien

Dreblow, Eike et al. 2013: Assessment of Climate Change Policies in the Context of the European Semester. 28 Country Reports. Berlin.

ProjectEuropean Semester: Support on Climate Related Data and Information

The 2020 climate and energy target framework is the basis of current European climate policy and forms a key pillar in Europe's 2020 growth strategy. Ecologic Institute continues to support DG Climate Action (European Commission) in the European Semester process by... Read more

European Semester: Support on Climate Related Data and Information

Duration: Nov 2014 - Jun 2016
Funding: European Commission, Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG Climate), International

ProjectAssessment of Climate Change Policies in the Context of the European Semester

Climate and energy targets form a key part of the European 2020 growth strategy. Ecologic Institute assesses national climate and energy policies of EU Members States with respect to these targets and compares the progress of Member States in relevant policy areas to... Read more

Assessment of Climate Change Policies in the Context of the European Semester

Duration: Dec 2012 - Dec 2014
Funding: European Commission, Directorate-General for Climate Action (DG Climate), International