Back to News & Resources overview
News 10 February 2021

February EERA Weekly Policy Update recap


By gathering the most up-to-date energy related news, policy updates, and events in a weekly document, the EERA Weekly Policy Update represents a comprehensive and useful tool at the service of the entire EERA community.

Every week, the EERA Weekly Policy Update provides an overview of the most recent policy developments in different areas of interest for the EERA community. Amongst these, Horizon Europe, the new framework programme for research and innovation for the period 2021-2027, is of outmost importance. The EERA Policy Update has been monitoring, week by week, its development and strategic planning processes, as well as its EU-level budget negotiations.  

After month-long discussions and three different budget deals, the programme has been officially launched on the 2nd of February during a symbolic event hosted by the Portuguese Presidency of the EU and the EU Commission. Nevertheless, and despite the high excitement within the research community, the Commission is planning to publish the first official work programmes only by April 2021, sparking criticism for the fact it will be months before the €95.5 billion budget starts flowing and the remaining practical details of the programme get settled.  

Aside from Horizon Europe, the latest Policy Updates have covered other major areas of interest for the EERA community. Amongst these, an analysis of the priorities of the newly established Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council, as well as EU-level discussions on the so-called EU taxonomy for sustainable activities and on the Climate Law.  

Every week, the EERA Policy Update also gathers the latest reports and research publications from the EU institutions and leading international agencies operating in the field of climate and energy research. Furthermore, starting from January 2021, a new section dedicated to International energy and climate-related news has been launched.  

The following are the main takeaways from the recently published EERA Weekly Policy Updates, divided by major areas of interest: 

Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council 

  • European Climate Law and "Fit for 55" legislation package: Starting the 1st of January 2021, Portugal has succeeded Germany at the Presidency of the EU. Over the next six months, the priorities in terms of climate and energy will revolve around two main topics: the European Climate Law and the “Fit for 55” legislation package. These two measures, inserted in the broader context of the EU Green Deal, should put the EU on the right track to achieve a 55% reduction of GHG emissions by 2030.  
  • European Research Area: The revamping of the European Research Area (ERA) is one of the top priorities for the Portuguese EU Presidency. In the upcoming weeks, ministers of the EU will discuss the plan to bring forward a research single market, an EU objective since the year 2000 but so far only partly achieved.  

Horizon Europe

  • Horizon Europe official launch: Horizon Europe was officially launched on the 2nd of February during a symbolic event hosted by the EU Commission and the Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council. For the first time, Horizon Europe’s legislation has been split in two distinct acts, one laying out the legal basis of the programme – agreed in December 2020 – and the other providing details on the specific goals of each of its components, which still need to be agreed by the Council. Official work programmes will be published by the EU Commission in April, but leaked drafts circulating online give researchers and industry detailed clues about what kind of projects will be funded under the programme, giving them a chance to start formulating grant applications. 
  • Delays in Horizon Europe implementation:  Despite the official launch of Horizon Europe, many administrative and legal steps remain to be completed before the €95.5 billion budget can start flowing to researchers and innovators around the EU. Policymakers are urging the Commission to start funding calls as soon as possible in order to not delay the start of any project and to not leave any European region behind.

Main reports and briefings covered by the EERA Weekly Policy Update

International energy news

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