What’s next in Europe? – Agenda of European climate and energy policy

Hungary takes over EU Council presidency

In an interview with French Le Point, Orban laid out the five priorities for the Hungarian presidency: migration, the war in Ukraine, the green transition, defence, and the "demographic crisis". He said: "The European Union has long claimed that the green transition was not in contradiction with European competitiveness, but would actually increase it. Clearly, the opposite is true. We need to rethink this green transition before it kills our industry." The official programme was presented on 18 June.

However, as the EU will likely need almost the entire 6 months of the Hungarian presidency to establish the Parliament and then elect a new Commission, there is set to be little chance for policymaking and legislative work.

The Council represents the executive governments of member states, and the presidency rotates among EU member states every six months. It is not only responsible for setting policy priorities and planning and chairing meetings among ministers and heads of government, but must also try and reach agreement on laws with the EU’s other legislative bodies – the Commission and the Parliament. Member states holding the presidency work together closely in groups of three, called 'trios'. Preceding presidencies Spain and Belgium cooperate with Hungary. [More on the presidency]

EU member state environment ministers come together for one of several regular annual meetings. Ministers are expected to agree the EU's negotiation position for the UN climate change conference COP29 in Azerbaijan in November. A draft seen by Reuters showed member states will demand that countries significantly step up their efforts to cut emissions by following through on the deal struck at last year's COP28 summit in Dubai to "transition away from fossil fuels".

EU member state energy ministers come together for one of several regular annual meetings. Following up on the recommendations in the Draghi report, ministers will publicly exchange views on the contribution of the energy sector to the competitiveness of the European Union. They will also discuss electricity prices and winter preparedness.

EU leaders are meeting in Brussels to discuss Ukraine, the Middle East, competitiveness, migration and foreign affairs. They will also take stock of preparations for the meetings of the UN Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia, from 21 October to 1 November 2024, and of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, on 11 to 22 November 2024.

Ahead of the European Council meeting, EU leaders and leaders from the Gulf region will meet in the first-ever EU-Gulf Cooperation Council summit on 16 October 2024.

EU member state agriculture ministers come together for one of several regular annual meetings. Agriculture ministers will seek to endorse a set of conclusions on the future of the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The new European Commission president has put together the designate-college of Commissioners in close coordination with member state governments. The relevant European Parliament committees organise hearings and essentially have to agree to the individual candidates. This is a crucial opportunity to find out about priorities of the future Commission, and might yet lead to candidates being exchanged. The president has given instructions to each Commissioner in "mission letters", which can be a treasure trove of information for journalists. Parliament also sent each Commissioner-designate written questions they hve to reply to by 22 October. The schedule for hearings for Commissioners most relevant to the transition:

• 12 Nov.: Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition
• 12 Nov.: Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy
• 7 Nov.: Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth
• 6 Nov.: Dan Jørgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing
• 6 Nov.: Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy
• 4 Nov.: Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism
• 4 Nov.: Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food

EU member state heads of state and government meet in Budapest.

EU member state agriculture ministers come together for one of several regular annual meetings.

After confirmation through a vote in the European Parliament, the Commission can start its term. Politico reported that a start in December has become more likely, because the Parliament is set to start Commissioner hearings later than initially thought. The final vote by the European Parliament to confirm the Commission is scheduled to take place on 25-28 November.

EU member state transport ministers come together for one of several regular annual meetings.

EU member state agriculture ministers come together for one of several regular annual meetings.

EU member state energy ministers come together for one of several regular annual meetings.

EU member state environment ministers come together for one of several regular annual meetings.

EU member state heads of state and government come together for one of several regular annual meetings.