3 June 2022
Confirmed speakers: MEP Ismail Ertug (S&D/DE, AFIR Rapporteur), Axel Volkery (European Commission), Antoine Grange (CEO Europe, Transdev), Michael Villa (Executive Director, Smarten), Julien Martin (Head of Regulation, EDF Mobility), Elisa Schenner (Head of EU office, Wiener Stadtwerke GmBH)
Decarbonising urban and peri-urban mobility is essential to achieve the EU's climate neutrality in 2050, with the relationship between transport and energy more crucial than ever. With SGI Europe members at the core of this interconnection between energy and transport, the event will gather key stakeholders, enabling the transition towards zero-emission mobility from energy suppliers to public transport providers.
Contact: Ariel Carpanini
On Wednesday 25 May 2022, Elmar Thyen, chair of the SGI Europe Energy task force, addressed the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hearing on "Tackling energy poverty and the EU's resilience". The hearing was chaired by Milena Angelova, SGI Europe Vice-President and president of the EESC study group "Tackling energy poverty and the EU's resilience”.
In his speech, Elmar Thyen highlighted three crucial steps in tackling the current energy crisis: enabling affordable access to energy, identifying better indicators to measure energy poverty, and unlocking EU funds to face the high energy prices burdening EU households.
Regarding enabling affordable access to energy, he highlighted that the magnitude of the problem is even more significant with the green transition, which should leave no one behind. Data shows that 6,9% of the EU population could not afford to heat their houses. Saving energy should play a crucial role in addressing this issue and be discussed at the national level.
He furthermore warned against the risk of further social unrest, urging extreme carefulness to decision-makers. It is now of utmost importance that the opportunities and costs of the green transition are shared: enterprises also have to invest in the future. They should not be left alone in tackling the energy burden.
Mr Thyen also called for sharp indicators to measure the energy crisis and better understand the magnitude of the current situation. Lastly, he stressed the importance of unlocking funds: adequate funding of essential services, such as energy, should be seen as an investment and not a cost.
Finally, Mr Thyen outlined the importance of stable energy supply and technologies supporting it, called for rethinking the energy trade market, and emphasised the importance of addressing mismatches and the role of education in preventing staff shortages.
Contact: Manca Pocivavsek
On 2 June, the Transport Council met and endorsed a general approach on the transport files of the FF55 Package, including the Proposal for an Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), available here.
This proposal aims to ensure EU-wide deployment of publicly accessible electric recharging and alternative fuels refuelling infrastructure in the road transport and aviation and waterborne transport sectors, with the objective that the infrastructure is interoperable and user-friendly.
During the debate, ministers expressed support for the objectives and approach of the presidency’s proposal. The general approach retains the fundamental aspects of the Commission proposal. Still, it makes some adjustments, in particular, to take account of the specific dynamics of the electric heavy-duty vehicle segment (with a clause on particular review in the short-term) and hydrogen. It also ensures that electric recharging requirements are consistent with the diverse situations on the ground and that investments are proportionate to traffic levels without compromising the quality of service offered to users.
SGI Europe adopted a Position on the AFIR that you can consult here and sent amendments to the Draft Report of MEP Ismail Ertug, who will address our event on Zero Emission Mobility on 15 June (more).
In the road transport, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas, the proposal, as it stands, does not consider the needs of public transport providers to access and use the alternative fuels infrastructure but focuses more on the needs of personally owned vehicles. SGI Europe recalls that the public transport sector enables the transition towards decarbonised mobility. Consequently, public transport providers should indicate where improvements are needed to deliver and reach the decarbonisation objective.
The Council also adopted a position on the draft directive on the deployment of intelligent transport systems (ITS), significantly strengthening the role of member states in deciding on the conditions for implementing the new obligations, in particular for determining the geographical coverage and timetable for the data and services to be provided.
Contact: Ariel Carpanini
On 2 June, the European Commission organised a hearing for the social partners to effectively prohibit placing products made by forced labour on the EU market. In developing this new policy instrument, the Commission seeks to engage social partners to pool resources and knowledge in a commitment to decent work globally.
The ILO defines forced labour as "all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily". Following the example of the Responsible Minerals Regulation and the proposed Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, the Commission seeks prohibition on the EU market of products made wholly or in part by forced labour.
This new initiative encompasses EU trade, external action, the customs union and the internal market. In addition, as announced in the February Communication on Decent Work Worldwide, the EU must take further legislative action to combat coercive labour in the global commodity chains of transnational companies that have access to and operate within the Single Market.
Contact: Guillaume Afellat
On 31 May, the EU sectoral social partners in the hospital and healthcare sector, the European Hospital and Healthcare Employers' Association (HOSPEEM) and the European Public Services Union (EPSU), signed the updated Framework of Actions on Recruitment and Retention (FoA R&R). Read more on HOSPEEM website.
Contact: Leonie Martin (HOSPEEM Policy Offier)
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