Ursula von der Leyen – Photo © European Union 2021
(BRUSSELS) – The European Commission adopted its 2022 Work Programme Tuesday, setting out the next steps in an agenda for a post-COVID-19 Europe that is ‘greener, fairer, more digital and more resilient’.
The Commission Work Programme contains 42 new policy initiatives across six headline ambitions of the Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s political guidelines.
A European Green Deal
The Commission says it 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; follow up on the zero pollution action plan to improve water and air quality; set new rules on sustainable use of pesticides; and advance 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.
A Europe fit for the digital age
With the pandemic serving as a catalyst for accelerating digitalisation, the Commission will come forward with a Single Market Emergency Instrument to prevent future disruptions. To address pressing concerns around the supply of semi-conductors powering digital solutions, it will adopt a ‘European Chips Act’ to promote a state-of-the-art ecosystem and develop new markets for ground-breaking European tech. Additionally, the Commission will propose a European Cyber Resilience Act to establish common cybersecurity standards, and begin building an EU space-based global secure communications system to provide additional EU-wide broadband connectivity and secure independent communications to Member States. Measures to facilitate the uptake of digital skills in schools and higher education will also be high on the agenda.
An economy that works for people
With the recovery gathering pace and economic activity on its way back to pre-crisis levels, the Commission is to present a proposal to improve the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work. To support policies of Member States, the Commission will strengthen social safety nets, crucial to cushion economic shocks, by setting out an initiative on adequate minimum income. With the financial sector being key for the economic recovery, it will also deliver proposals on instant payments to foster their full uptake as well as facilitating access to capital for businesses in the EU. Once a global solution on reforming the international corporate tax framework is finalised, the Commission will ensure its swift and consistent implementation across the EU.
A stronger Europe in the world
Over the next year, the Commission will set out a new global gateway strategy to build connectivity partnerships around the world to boost trade and investment. By the end of this year, a new EU-NATO Joint Declaration will be presented and the Commission will seek to accelerate work on a genuine European Defence Union. In pursuit of the global energy transition and healthier oceans, a new strategy on international energy engagement and an action plan on international ocean governance will be tabled.
Promoting the European way of life
The Commission has proposed to make 2022 the European Year of Youth and will deploy a new initiative, ALMA (Aim, Learn, Master, Achieve), helping disadvantaged young Europeans who are not in any kind of employment, education or training to gain professional experience abroad with the necessary social support. The ultimate objective is to integrate them into education, vocational training or quality employment. The Commission will also present an EU strategy for universities and propose ways for a deeper and more sustainable transnational cooperation in higher education. Incorporating the lessons learnt from the pandemic, the Commission will present a European care strategy to comprehensively improve care, from childcare to long-term care. To build up further our European Health Union, the Commission will ensure access to affordable high-quality medicines by proposing a new framework for a dynamic EU pharmaceutical sector; table a revision of legislation on medicines for children and rare diseases; and boost life-saving cancer screening and early diagnosis through a Recommendation on cancer screening.
A new push for European democracy
The Conference on the Future of Europe is in full swing. The Commission will take further steps to safeguard media freedom and pluralism by tabling a European Media Freedom Act, and will continue to guard the rule of law, central to the effective functioning of the EU. To step up the fight against cross-border crime, a common legal framework for the efficient transfer of criminal proceedings between Member States will remain high on the agenda. The EU executive will also continue efforts on the design of the new interinstitutional EU Ethics Body in close consultation with other institutions. To ensure equality for all, it will propose measures to improve the recognition of parenthood between EU countries. An initiative on brain drain and mitigating the challenges associated with population decline, identifying potential solutions, will also be tabled.
A full list of the 42 new policy initiatives, within 32 policy objectives, under the six headline ambitions are set out in Annex 1 of the 2022 Commission Work Programme.
‘One-in, one-out’
To minimise the burden linked to EU policy objectives, the Commission is to deploy a ‘one-in, one-out’ approach with this work programme. This will ensure that when introducing unavoidable new burdens, it will systematically and proactively reduce burdens linked to existing EU legislation in the same policy area. Expected costs of complying with EU legislation will be quantified more transparently and systematically presented in impact assessments, while administrative costs will be offset. Better regulation will also continue to support sustainability and the digital transformation, by focusing on the ‘do no significant harm’ and ‘digital-by-default’ principles.
Factsheet on the 2022 Commission Work Programme – general
Factsheet on the 2022 Commission Work Programme – beautified Annex I
2022 Commission Work Programme: Making Europe stronger together
