In fact, law and legal regulation are always a matter of choosing between alternatives, and their content is formed depending on the choice between these alternatives.
Therefore, it is extremely important which of the possible alternatives within the framework of the green transition will be prioritized by the European Union, since this choice of priorities determines both European policies and EU regulations. Basically, the provision of development opportunities by legal means in Europe.
After the European Parliament elections in 2019, with a mandate from the European Council and the European Parliament, the Commission formulated the goal of making Europe a climate-neutral continent by 2050; the period from 2020 to 2030 should be Europe's digital decade; the role of the EU should be strengthened in the world - through the increased enforcement of geopolitical aspects. One of the six priorities formulated for the period 2019-2024 is the European Green Deal, with the aim of making the European Union a modern, carbon-neutral, resource-efficient, sustainable and competitive economy.
EU leaders agree on the EU's future political priorities every five years. In terms of timing, this always takes place close to the European Parliament elections and before the appointment of the European Commission. The strategic agenda for the period 2024-2029 was adopted by the European Council at its meeting on June 27, 2024. This strategic agenda defines the priorities and strategic directions to be followed by the EU in the institutional cycle of 2024-2029, thus setting the direction for the work of the EU institutions. Within the priority goal of a prosperous and competitive Europe, the European Council considers, among other things, the deepening of the single market as a priority, especially in the fields of energy, finance and telecommunications; for the green and digital transition, including a true Energy Union and investments in breakthrough digital technologies within Europe; and to promote an environment friendly to innovation and entrepreneurship.
Following the European Parliament elections in 2024, the European Parliament re-elected Ursula von der Leyen as President of the European Commission by secret ballot on July 18, with 401 votes. Also every five years, at the beginning of each new term of the European Commission, the president determines which areas the Commission will treat as a priority, focusing its activities on these. Maintaining the direction set by the European Green Deal, which defined the objectives of the past period, was likely even with a new leader, and the re-election guaranteed this. Before the committee presidential vote, Ursula von der Leyen included the new Clean Industry Agreement, which is meant to promote decarbonization and industrial growth, and the European Competitiveness Fund, which aims to boost innovation, among the most important initiatives for five years in the Political Resolution she presented. It was defined as a goal within the Clean Industry Deal initiative:
- focusing on the implementation of the current legal framework for the period up to 2030 - in the simplest, fairest and most cost-effective way.
- the proposal to record the 90% emission reduction target set for 2040 in the European climate regulation.
- the submission of legislation on accelerating the decarbonization of industry, which supports industries and companies during the transition.
- Energy prices will continue to be reduced by further moving away from fossil fuels, strengthening fuel procurement and developing the governance necessary for a true Energy Union.
- Investments in clean energy infrastructure and technologies will be increased and prioritized.
- In preparation for the COP30 to be held in Brazil in 2025, they outline their global climate and energy policy vision. They will also step up green diplomacy and work more closely with non-EU countries on the external aspects of their policies.
- Achieving climate neutrality by 2050 will require a wide range of innovative technologies from mobility to energy. The 2035 climate neutrality target for passenger cars, for example, creates predictability for investors and manufacturers. This will require a technology-neutral approach in which e-fuels must play a role through a targeted amendment to the Regulation as part of the planned review.
It is clear from the priorities of the European Council and the initiatives set out in the Political Resolution that the European Union continues to follow and consistently strengthen the objectives of the 2019-2024 European Green Agreement in the 2024-2029 cycle as well.
