The European Commission adopted its 2022 Work Programme, setting out the next steps in its bold and transformative agenda towards a post-COVID-19 Europe that is greener, fairer, more digital and more resilient. This Commission Work Programme contains 42 new policy initiatives across all six headline ambitions of President von der Leyen’s Political Guidelines, building on her 2021 State of the Union speech. It also reflects the lessons learnt from the unprecedented crisis caused by the pandemic, while paying particular attention to our young generation thanks to the proposed European Year of Youth 2022.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said:
‘The past year has proven what challenges we can deal with and what we can achieve for European citizens when we act united. We must continue in the same spirit next year, for example, to implement our policies for climate neutrality in Europe by 2050, to shape our digital future, to strengthen our unique social market economy and to defend our values and our interests, at home and abroad. The combined power of the EU’s long-term budget and NextGenerationEU, which together make €2.018 trillion will help to build a better and more modern Europe.‘
A European Green Deal
The Commission will continue making Europe the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050. On top of its pioneering ‘Fit for 55 package’ presented in 2021 as part of the trailblazing European Green Deal, the Commission will propose a regulatory framework for certification of carbon removals. It will also: take further steps towards zero-emission mobility by, for instance, reviewing the CO2 emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles; following up on the zero pollution action plan to improve water and air quality; setting new rules on sustainable use of pesticides; and advancing the circular economy by strengthening the right to repair products instead of replacing them. The Commission will also mobilise resources, next to the already proposed Social Climate Fund, doubling the external funding for biodiversity. Green bonds will also play an increasingly important role and expresses our commitment to place sustainable finance at the forefront of the EU’s recovery effort.
Next steps
The Commission will start discussions with the Parliament and Council to establish a list of joint legislative priorities on which co-legislators agree to take swift action. The Commission will continue to support and work with the Member States to ensure the implementation of new and existing EU rules, and will not hesitate to uphold EU law through infringement proceedings where needed.
Background
Every year, the Commission adopts a Work Programme setting out the list of actions it will take in the coming year. The Work Programme informs the public and the co-legislators of our political commitments to present new initiatives, withdraw pending proposals and review existing EU legislation. It does not cover the ongoing work of the Commission to implement its role as guardian of the Treaties, enforcing existing legislation or the regular initiatives that the Commission adopts every year. The Commission’s 2022 Work Programme is the result of close cooperation with the European Parliament, Member States and the EU consultative bodies.
For more information: Factsheet on the 2022 Commission Work Programme – general
