Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: Smart Energy Europe (SmartEn) is strategically engaged and supportive of greater ambition in EU climate policy, advocating strongly in favor of energy efficiency and renewable energy policy, renewable-based electrification and the reduction of fossil fuels in the energy mix.
Top-Line Messaging on Climate Policy: SmartEn supports climate action and government regulation to respond to climate change in its top-line communications. In a May 2022 joint letter to the EU Commission President, SmartEn stated its support for the EU’s climate neutrality goals. The association supported the EU ‘Fit for 55’ package and advocated for its full implementation in all EU member states, in a March 2024 statement. SmartEn appeared supportive of the Paris Agreement, in a May 2022 joint letter signed by the association’s Executive Director.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: SmartEn supports a range of EU climate-related policies, primarily energy efficiency and demand management legislation. The association called for the national implementation of demand management measures adopted by the EU, in a March 2024 position paper. In an April 2023 position paper ahead of negotiations between EU policymakers to finalize the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), SmartEn strongly supported the proposed definition of ‘zero-emissions buildings’ and ambitious the proposed Minimum Energy Performance Standards. It also called for strengthening EPBD efficiency requirements for buildings in a March 2024 position paper.
The association strongly supported the proposed targets for demand response and energy storage in the EU Electricity Market Design reform, calling for them to be made binding, in an October 2023 position paper. Executive Director Michael Villa supported the inclusion of demand-side management targets in the EU Renewable Energy Directive, in a January 2023 open letter to the Council of the EU. SmartEn supported the EU Energy Efficiency Directive, stating the Energy Savings Obligations Scheme should expand its scope to include demand-side flexibility savings, in an October 2022 position paper.
SmartEn appears supportive of EU renewable energy legislation. In a June 2023 open letter, it advocated for the final adoption of the EU Renewable Energy Directive. The association supported measures to boost the deployment of renewables in the EU Electricity Market Design reform, including two-way contracts for difference and power purchase agreements, in a February 2023 consultation response.
SmartEn is supportive of greenhouse gas emissions standards, supporting the EU's 100% emission reduction targets for cars and vans by 2035 in a July 2024 joint letter to European Parliament members. It also supported the EU's 2040 Climate Target of 90% GHG emissions reductions compared to 1990 levels, in line with scientific recommendations, in a February 2024 joint paper.
Positioning on Energy Transition: SmartEn consistently advocates for greater ambition in the transition of the EU energy mix and supports ambitious regulations. In a June 2024 joint statement, the association broadly supporting the need to phase-out fossil fuels, and in a February 2024 statement, it called for the EU to remove fossil fuel subsidies and set an intermediate electrification target of at least 35% by 2030. In a February 2023 position paper, SmartEn supported the EU Parliament proposal on the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, calling for more ambitious regulations to introduce electric vehicles charging infrastructure.
The association published multiple position papers supporting the revision of the EU Energy Taxation Directive (ETD). In October 2023, it published its priorities for EU policymaking between 2024-29, advocating for national taxation to shift away from fossil fuels. In a February 2024 joint paper, it called for the ETD reform to align taxation levels with climate policy targets. In a March 2024 statement, SmartEn advocated for double taxation of bidirectional charging for electric vehicles to be avoided.
SmartEn is supportive of EU policies to aid the transition of the energy mix. It appeared to support the EU Net Zero Industry Act, while calling for the inclusion of flexible management solutions, in a June 2023 open letter to EU policymakers. It also released a series of recommendations in October 2023, strongly supporting the EU Electricity Market Design reform, advocating for measures that would reduce the usage of fossil gas, and opposing the Council's proposal that would limit the deployment of non-fossil flexibility schemes.