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UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
Energy and climate joined in one portfolio in Juncker Commission
The incoming President of the European Commission (EC) Jean-Claude Juncker has united the EC’s portfolios of energy and climate action, nominating Spain’s Miguel Arias Cañete as Energy and Climate Commissioner. Subject to confirmation by the European Parliament, he will serve for the next five years, reports Carmen Paun.
The aim is to unite two linked policies with important European Union (EU) internal initiatives and international commitments, explained an EC official close to Juncker. ‘From now on we will have only one commissioner to harmonise what we need to do inside and outside,’ he told Petroleum Review.
Cañete, a former Spanish Agriculture Minister and conservative politician, will be charged with handling the EU’s energy market policy, increasing Europe’s security of supply, and diversifying sources and routes of energy imports, according to a mission letter sent by Juncker. The Energy and Climate Commissioner will continue to develop the EU’s renewable energy policy and strengthen the bloc’s Emissions Trading System. Cañete will also be seeking to secure agreement on the EC’s proposed 2030 energy and climate package.
In a new initiative, Juncker appointed seven vice presidents to oversee policy clusters and coordinate the work of relevant commissioners. Former Slovenia Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek was nominated as Vice President for the Energy Union, overseeing the work of seven commissioners, including Cañete, and those responsible for internal market and industry, environment and research policies. One of her first tasks will be ‘to counteract any possible energy shortages over the first three to 12 months’ according to her mission letter.
Poland’s Elżbieta Bieńkowska was named Commissioner for a new large directorate general (DG) joining the old DG Internal Market with the DG for Industry and Entrepreneurship. Portugal’s Carlos Moedas was nominated as Research, Science and Innovation Commissioner, overseeing the €80bn Horizon 2020 programme.
Commissioner-nominees will face European Parliament hearings between 29 September and 7 October. The Juncker Commission should assume office from 1 November.
