Starting from February 2020, EERA has been sharing with its members a weekly EU update providing up-to-date news and information in the sustainable and low-carbon energy field. The service has the objective of informing research centres and universities involved in the EERA community about the latest reports and research publications from the European Institutions, as well as from leading European and International agencies operating in the field of climate and energy research. Furthermore, the EERA weekly EU update informs the community on recent developments and decisions from EU leaders on relevant policy fields, it provides policy roundups and highlights interesting funding opportunities.

Alongside up-to-date sector-specific news, the EERA EU update provides the community with a detailed outline of the upcoming EU Institutional Agenda, with a specific focus on Working Parties and Parliamentarian Committees working in climate and energy related areas. Interesting events organized by members of the community and external stakeholders are also listed. By gathering the most up to date energy related news, policy updates and events in a weekly document, this EERA service for members constitutes a comprehensive summary of everything that is happening in the energy sector across Europe and beyond and is, therefore, a useful tool for the entire EERA community.

The following are the main takeaways from the recently published EERA weekly EU updates, divided by major areas of interest:

Horizon Europe budget negotiation

• Following EU Council decision to cut Horizon Europe budget, EERA and its Executive Members, supported by other associations in the field of sustainable energy, have addressed the EU Institutions with a letter on the importance of funding research in the EU (14 September).
• Despite advocacy actions from different European associations, the EU Council has finalized its position on the regulation establishing Horizon Europe, confirming the cuts to its budget. Lead MEPs have reacted to this decision (5 October).
• During a trilogue negotiation on the next 2021-2027 EU budget, European Parliament’s Representatives have walked away stating that a deal will not be made until EU Council agrees to allocate additional resources to R&I flagship programmes (12 October).
• EU Parliament and EU Council are far from reaching a compromise on Horizon Europe budget. MEPs claimed they have not yet seen a proposal that would satisfy their demands (2 November).
• MEPs from across the political spectrum have signed a letter asking the European Commission to back up the European Parliament's call for a higher Horizon Europe's budget in trilogue negotiations that will take place in the second week of November. According to the letter signatories, reducing the EU budget for research would undermine the EU's position as a world-leading research area and would be a historic mistake, given the profound challenges the EU is currently facing (9 November).

European Research Area

• After failing to deliver, a revamped European Research Area is set to bring R&I forward. The new Communication on the ERA, set to be released on 30 September will draw from inputs provided by associations and universities across Europe, including EERA (21 September).
• The Communication for a new ERA has been published by Commissioner Maryia Gabriel. The new European Research Area plans to reach what the first ERA could not deliver. Indeed, the previous ERA set the framework for efforts in research activities, creating a goal for EU States to reach public and private R&D spending level of 3% of GDP. With the new ERA, the EU Commission will ask Member States to sign a non-binding “pact” agreeing to increase R&I public spending from the current average level of 0.81% to 1.25% of GDP (5 October).

Interesting Reports covered by the EERA Weekly EU Updates

• EU Commission – Final Report on the technical support to the development of a smart readiness indicator for buildings (28 September).
• EU Commission – 2020 State of the Energy Union Report (19 October).
• EU Commission – Renovation Wave Strategy (19 October).
• IEA – World Energy Outlook (19 October).

The EERA Weekly EU Update is an only-members EERA service. If you would be interested in knowing more about how to become a member of EERA check the requirements at the following link.