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

Poland takes over EU Council presidency

"Security, Europe!" is the motto of Poland's Council presidency. "The Polish presidency will support activities strengthening European security in all its dimensions: external, internal, economic, information, energy, food and health," said Adam Szłapka, minister for European Union affairs.

The Polish Presidency said it will promote actions aimed at a full withdrawal from imports of Russian energy sources. It will undertake steps with a view to reduce energy prices in the EU and revise the EU's energy security framework to enhance the physical security and cybersecurity of energy infrastructure in the EU and its neighbourhood and ensure a level playing field for the development of each clean energy source in the EU. It will also focus on agriculture.

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'. Poland will cooperate with the following presidencies Denmark and Cyprus.

Commission president von der Leyen has announced a "Competitiveness Compass" as her first major initiative and something that will frame the next five years of the Commission’s work. This will be developed based on the three pillars of the Draghi report: closing the innovation gap with the U.S. and China; the need for a joint plan for decarbonisation and competitiveness; and increasing security and reducing dependencies.

The presentation was delayed from earlier in January.

Commission president von der Leyen has said that she would present a "Vision for Agriculture and Food" in the first 100 days, as a follow up to the Strategic Dialogue on Agriculture which had presented its report in 2024. Building on these recommendations, the vision would look at how to ensure the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of Europe's farming sector within the boundaries of the planet.

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

As part of the Clean Industrial Deal (see above), energy and housing Commissioner Dan Jørgensen is tasked with putting forward an "Action Plan for Affordable Energy Prices to help bring down prices for households and business and support industries and companies through the transition." He is also tasked with presenting a roadmap towards ending Russian energy imports. Both are scheduled to be presented on the same day.

In November 2024, Commission president von der Leyen promised to work out a package of legislative reform proposals that would ease the reporting burden on companies. The so-called "Omnibus package" is now slated for 26 February. It is expected to contain proposals to reform three key laws: the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the EU Taxonomy Regulation.

EU member state ministers responsible for industry and the internal market 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 heads of state and government 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 environment ministers come together for one of several regular annual meetings.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) will convene an International Summit on the Future of Energy Security on 24 and 25 April 2025, hosted by the UK government at Lancaster House in London. The Summit will address traditional and emerging risks related to energy security in an era of geopolitical strains, technological transformation and a changing climate.

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

EU member state ministers responsible for industry and the internal market 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 transport 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.

Denmark takes over EU Council presidency

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 presidency Poland and following presidency Cyprus cooperate with Denmark. [More on the presidency]

EU member state heads of state and government 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.