On 14 July 2021, the European Commission adopted 14 legislative proposals to reduce Europe's carbon emission by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The "Fit for 55" package is designed to deliver on the targets of the European Climate Law and fundamentally transform many parts of Europe's society and economy.

As Europe's largest energy research community, EERA welcomes the adoption of the "Fit for 55" package. The proposal is crucial to make Europe the world's first climate-neutral continent by 2050 and realise the European Green Deal's objectives. The Alliance recognises the importance of research and innovation in promoting smart, future-oriented policies and encourages technological and social innovation. In that respect, "Fit for 55" illustrates EERA's driving mission perfectly, i.e. that designing effective transition pathways calls for a holistic, systemic, cross-sectoral, and interdisciplinary approach. 

Against this backdrop, EERA would like to bring attention to a set of preliminary policy considerations. More specifically, the Alliance:

• Welcomes the proposed extension of the Emission Trading System (ETS) to new sectors. In this respect, it seems essential to pair the instrument with the Social Climate Fund to compensate less affluent consumers. It is also imperative that ETS is continuously assessed not to create disincentives and critical trade-offs. 
• Supports the introduction of CO2 emission standards for cars and vans, which de facto point to the phase-out of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035.
• Endorses the reinforced level of ambition in the revised proposal for the Energy Efficiency Directive.
• Appreciates the Commission's proposal to align the taxation of energy products with EU energy and climate policies under the revised Energy Taxation Directive.
• Strongly supports an EU carbon border adjustment mechanism.
• Upholds the strengthened ambition of the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) regulation, particularly concerning the biodiversity emergency.