Key features of credible Energy Union governance

In November 2016 the Commission will publish its long-awaited
Winter Package, which will contain proposals for the key elements
of the 2030 EU climate and energy governance including a proposal
for a new ‘governance instrument’.

By using the terminology P&R we are referring to key governance arrangements and mechanisms for planning, reporting, and monitoring as well as follow-up procedures,
such as compliance mechanisms and reviews.
Although the EU’s ‘governance’ debate has focused on the reform of planning and reporting (‘P&R’)1 provisions, the post 2020 legislative framework will need to be founded on a sufficiently ambitious process for determining contributions to the 2030 climate and energy targets, as well as the procedural, institutional and other arrangements to support delivery of those targets.
The quality of the governance framework proposed in the Winter Package – whether contained in the new governance instrument or distributed elsewhere in the 2030 acquis – will determine the credibility of the EU’s commitment to meeting its 2030 targets and its commitment to implementing the Paris Agreement.
This paper sets out the critical key features for ensuring
that post 2020 EU climate and energy governance conforms to principles of good governance – particularly transparency, accountability, and investor certainty.
In Section 1, we highlight the importance of operationalising and ensuring credibility of the 2030 targets.
Section 2 describes the need for a well-designed P&R regime as a crucial means to support target delivery.