Delivered every week, the Weekly Policy Update provides up-to-date news and information in the sustainable and low-carbon energy field, as well as a list of relevant events, both internal and external. Among the topics covered by the latest editions, there are the new calls launched by the EU Commission under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, the recently published Work Programme of Horizon Europe for the years 2021-2022, the new partnership supporting investments for the clean energy transition launched by the EU Commission and Breakthrough Energy, and the start of the Slovenian Presidency of the EU Council. 

The following are the main takeaways from the recently published editions, divided by major areas:  

European Institutions energy news

• 'Fit-for-55' Package: On 14 July, the EU Commission has launched the 'Fit-for-55' Package, a set of proposals aiming at making the EU's climate, energy, land use, transport, and taxation policies fit for reducing net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and for reaching climate neutrality by 2050. 
• Slovenia opens a six-month EU Presidency term: Under the slogan “Together. Resilient. Europe”, Slovenia will strive to facilitate the EU’s recovery and reinforce its resilience, ensuring its autonomy in certain strategic areas, including industrial policy and energy.  
• The EU Commission and Breakthrough Energy have launched a new partnership supporting investments in climate technologies deemed pivotal for transitioning towards a net-zero economy. 
• EU Energy Ministers bring forward discussions on TEN-E, Hydrogen, and Renovation Wave files. 
• Horizon Europe launches 2021-2022 calls: The EU Commission has unveiled the Work Programme of Horizon Europe for the next two years, setting out the framework for new projects targeting the green and digital transition.  
• EU Commission launches new calls under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions: Following the adoption of the Horizon Europe 2021-2022 Work Programme, the EU Commission announced new calls to support researchers’ training, skills and career development under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, the EU’s flagship funding programme under Horizon Europe for doctoral education and postdoctoral training. 
• Calls for EU Missions now open for submission: Three Mission Area actions under the Horizon Europe Missions Work Programme are now open for application. More specifically, the actions relate to the following three mission areas: 1) Adaptation to climate change; 2) Healthy oceans, seas, and waters; and 3) Climate neutral and smart cities. The projects will be selected for funding in a single-stage evaluation. 

International energy news 

• Mission Innovation 2.0: The second phase of the Mission Innovation (MI) initiative officially started in June 2021. It will work on new Missions, including Green Powered Future, Zero-Emissions Shipping, and Clean Hydrogen, with the purpose to accelerate the development of clean energy solutions in critical areas.   
• G7 leaders reached new agreements and updated climate pledges.  
• EU and IEA partnering for clean energy access to be an integral part of net-zero efforts.
• NATO considers shifting to green military operations to reach net-zero by 2050. 
• Carbon Brief publishes long-read explaining the details of the Chinese Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).  
• Unprecedented withdrawal of China’s biggest bank from coal-fired plant project. 

Main reports and briefings covered by the EERA Weekly Policy Update 

• IEA – “Gas Market Report Q3-2021” 
• World Bank – “State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2021” 
• SAPEA – “A Systemic Approach to the Energy Transition in Europe” 
• REN21 – “Renewables 2021: Global Status Report” 
• IRENA – “World Energy Transitions Outlook” 
• IEA – “Hydropower Special Market Report: Analysis and Forecast to 2030” 
• IEA – “Financing Clean Energy Transition in Emerging and Developing Economies” 
• European Investment Bank (EIB) – “Climate Survey 2020-2021” 
• IRENA – “Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report 2021”