Energy and transport ministers to attend EU meetings in Slovenia on 22–23 September
The Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU will organise informal meetings of energy and transport ministers in Kranj on 22–23 September 2021. At the meeting of energy ministers, Finland will be represented by Minister of Economic Affairs Mika Lintilä and Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka at the meeting of transport ministers.
On 22 September, the energy ministers will discuss the tightening of targets on energy efficiency and renewable energy in the EU. Meanwhile, the joint meeting of the transport and energy ministers held on the same day will focus on electric transport. The subject of transport ministers is the proposal for a regulation contained in the Fit for 55 package on the deployment of alternative fuel distribution infrastructure.
On the basis of the background document prepared by Slovenia, the energy ministers will discuss the proposals for reforming the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) and the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) included in the Fit for 55 package issued by the Commission in July. Among other things, the Commission has proposed that the targets concerning energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy included in the directives be tightened in order to achieve the emission reduction target of at least 55% by 2030. Slovenia invites the Member states to comment on how these objectives can be met.
The key changes in the proposal concerning renewable energy sources relate to renewable energy targets, sustainability criteria and measures in the transport and heat sectors. The changes will also take into account the new EU strategies on offshore renewable energy, sector integration, hydrogen and biodiversity.
The Commission’s proposals on energy efficiency lay down provisions on the level of energy consumption in the EU in 2030, energy efficiency investments on national level and binding energy-reduction targets for individual Member States.
Transport and energy ministers to discuss the promotion of electric transport
The joint meeting of the energy and transport ministers is titled “Electric modes of transport” and it discusses the broad challenges faced by electric modes of transport in the energy and transport sectors with the aim of ensuring a sustainable transition to wide-spread use of electric transport. The initiatives in the Commission’s Fit for 55 package will advance the electrification of transport and reduce emissions as a result.
The package’s key proposals related to electric transport include a proposal to tighten CO2 emissions standards for cars and vans by 2035, to introduce an Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, to amend the Emissions Trading Directive (new emissions trading system for road transport and buildings), to amend the Renewable Energy Directive, and to issue a proposed directive on energy efficiency of buildings in December 2021.
Finland considers it important that the overall outcome of the negotiations on the Fit for 55 package will be the achievement of the 55% climate target set for 2030, which can also be exceeded. It is important that the negotiations proceed swiftly so that there is enough time for implementation. The package also guides the transition towards a climate-neutral economy. The transition must be implemented in a socially, economically and ecologically sustainable manner that takes into account digitalisation, fairness and the prevention of biodiversity loss.
Inquiries:
Riku Huttunen, Director-General, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 431 6518 Nina Alatalo, Adviser to the Minister of Economic Affairs (EU and International Affairs), tel. +358 50 431 8015
Eero Karjalainen, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 501 7746 (EU energy coordination within the Ministry)
Ville Niemi, Senior Specialist, Permanent Representation of Finland to the EU, Brussels, tel. +32 479 470 175
