Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: Eurelectric is strategically engaged on EU climate policy with predominantly positive positions. It supports EU policies on carbon pricing, the energy transition and GHG emissions targets, but takes some exceptions on energy efficiency and renewable energy policies. The association is strongly supportive of the electrification of the transport, energy and building sectors.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: Eurelectric is supportive of climate action and the need for government regulation to respond to climate change in its top-line messaging. The association’s President Leonhard Birnbaum supported GHG emissions reductions in line with the 1.5°C target in a November 2023 LinkedIn post. In a February 2024 position paper, the association strongly supporting the EU's Clean Energy and Fit for 55 Packages and advocated for monitoring mechanisms to ensure their implementation. However, Eurelectric also signed the Antwerp Declaration in February 2024, in which it advocated for Green Deal policy targets to not be followed by prescriptive and detailed implementing regulations. The association appeared to support the United Nations process on climate change in a November 2023 LinkedIn post.
Engagement with Climate-Related Policies: Eurelectric is supportive of EU climate-related regulations, with some exceptions regarding energy efficiency and renewable energy policies. The association supported the extension of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism to all sectors identified as at risk of carbon leakage, in a June 2023 public consultation. Eurelectric supported the implementation of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) for the buildings and road transport sectors in its March 2024 ‘Electrification Action Plan’. However, in a November 2023 LinkedIn post, Secretary General Kristian Ruby stated that policymakers should avoid a further tightening of the EU ETS, without specifying a timeframe. In December 2024 recommendations, the association did not support key elements of the reform to the EU ETS, calling for maintaining and strengthening indirect cost compensation beyond 2030.
In a September 2023 joint statement, Eurelectric advocated to weaken the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, calling for the definition of zero-emission buildings to consider grid energy sources instead of additional renewable capacity. In an October 2023 position paper, the association supported measures to expand power purchase agreements and loosen permitting rules for energy storage in the EU Renewable Energy Directive and Electricity Market Design reform. Eurelectric Secretary General Kristian Ruby also supported measures to boost renewable deployment in the EU Electricity Market Design reform in an October 2024 press release.
Eurelectric supported ambitious renewable energy targets adopted by EU member states in their National Climate and Energy Plans, in a January 2024 position paper. However, the association appeared to not support measures to increase renewables deployment in the EU Electricity Market Design reform in a November 2023 position paper, stating that measures should remain voluntary and technology neutral.
Eurelectric supported an EU 2040 GHG emissions reductions target of 80 to 90% compared to 1990 levels in a June 2023 public consultation, but in a February 2024 joint declaration, it supported a higher target level of 90 to 95%, in line with scientific recommendations. The association strongly supported the EU's CO2 standards and the 2035 zero-emissions target for new cars and vans in the EU, advocating against a weakening of the regulation or target, in a July 2024 joint letter.
Positioning on Energy Transition: Eurelectric demonstrates broadly supportive positions on the energy mix, being a strong proponent of electrification and EU policies to advance the energy transition. It has consistently supported the electrification of the transport, heating and cooling sectors to reduce reliance on and phase out fossil fuels, for instance in a June 2024 joint statement and a position paper on the EU’s Strategic Agenda. President Leonhard Birnbaum supported greater investment and fast-track permitting processes for electricity grids in a May 2024 press release. Eurelectric also advocated for a relaxing of permitting procedures, investments in grid infrastructure, and a scale up of a renewable electricity, in an October 2023 position paper, in which it also broadly supported the EU Green Deal Industrial Plan.
In a February 2025 policy proposal, Eurelectric supported direct electrification of industrial sectors over reliance on carbon capture and storage (CCS) for decarbonization. In the same publication, it also called for taxation reform through the EU Energy Taxation Directive to ensure electricity is not disincentivized in relation to fossil gas. The association strongly supported the EU Energy Taxation Directive reform to align taxation levels with climate policy targets and provide a clear signal to advance the energy transition, in a February 2024 Electrification Alliance statement. In a July 2024 consultation response, accessed via freedom of information request, Eurelectric supported the introduction of ambitious measures that includes both mandates and incentives to transition corporate fleets to zero-emission vehicles.