New Commission Work Programme 2021
Discover the Commission’s key sustainability initiatives in the pipeline for 2021 related to the Green Deal, A Europe Fit for the Digital Age, An Economy that Works for People.
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The European Commission has published its Work Programme for 2021. The new Work Programme has a double objective. On one hand it aims at making Europe more resilient, while on the other hand it wants to accelerate the long-term transformation of the Old Continent into a greener economy, fit for the digital age. With the Programme, the Commission informs the public and the co-legislators of our political commitments to present new initiatives, withdraw pending proposals and review existing EU legislation.
The document contains new legislative initiatives for 2021 based on all the six headline ambitions of President von der Leyen's Political Guidelines and follows her first State of the Union Speech.
GREEN DEAL
Fit for 55 package to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and achieve a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. This will cover wide-ranging policy areas: from renewables to energy efficiency first, energy performance of buildings, energy taxation, as well as a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism to reduce the risk of carbon leakage and ensure a level-playing field.
When? Q2 & Q4 2021
Circular economy package: The Commission plans to present a Sustainable products policy initiative to force companies to provide proof about the sustainability of their products. The initiative includes a revision of the Ecodesign Directive which sets minimum requirements on the durability, repairability and energy-efficiency of products.
When? Q4 2021
Follow up to the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 and farm to fork strategy to boost organic production, restore degraded ecosystems, protect our oceans and coastal regions, protect, restore and sustainably manage forests, and to reduce the risk of products associated with deforestation on the EU market.
When? N/A
A EUROPE FIT FOR THE DIGITAL AGE
Europe’s Digital Decade: The Commission will propose a roadmap of clearly defined 2030 digital targets, related to connectivity, skills, and digital public service.
When? Q1 2021
Industrial strategy for Europe: an update of the new industrial strategy for Europe, to take into account the impacts of COVID-19. In a report adopted at the end of November, the European Parliament, highlighted that the new strategy should have two distinct phases. One focusing on recovery and the other on reconstruction and building resilience. The first should focus on maintaining the smooth functioning of the single market by recapitalising enterprises, saving jobs and adapting production to a post-COVID “new normal”. The second phase should aim to help reconstruct and transform European industry by pursuing the objectives of the digital/green transitions and reinforcing the EU’s industrial sovereignty and its strategic autonomy, which require a competitive industrial base and massive investment in research and innovation.
When? Q2 2021
Sustainable corporate governance: Legislation on sustainable corporate governance will be proposed to foster long-term sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour.
When? Q2 20201
AN ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR PEOPLE
Fair economy package: to ensure that the health and economic crisis do not turn into a social crisis, the Commission will present an “Action plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights”
When? Q1 2021
EU green bond standard: Green bonds play an increasingly important role in financing assets needed for the low-carbon transition. However, there is no uniform green bond standard within the EU. The Commission will propose the establishment of an EU green bond standard, as recommended in the final report of the Commission’s High-Level Expert Group on sustainable finance.
When? Q2 2021
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