European Commission

The European Commission is represented on the IEA CCC Executive Committee by Mr Vladimir Zuberec.

The European Commission represents the interests of the EU as a whole. It proposes new legislation to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, and it ensures that EU law is correctly applied by member countries. The term ‘Commission’ refers to both the 28 Commissioners and the wider institution itself. The Commission has the right of initiative to propose laws for adoption by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU (national ministers). In most cases, the Commission makes proposals to meet its obligations under the EU treaties, or because another EU institution, country or stakeholder has asked it to act. From April 2012, EU citizens may also call on the Commission to propose laws (European Citizens’ Initiative). The principles of subsidiarity and proportionality mean that the EU may legislate only where action is more effective at EU level than at national, regional or local level, and then no more than necessary to attain the agreed objectives. Once EU legislation has been adopted, the Commission ensures that it is correctly applied by the EU member countries.

DG Energy
Under the political guidance of Commissioner Günther H. Oettinger, the Directorate-General for Energy is responsible for developing and implementing a European energy policy. Through the development and implementation of innovative policies, the Directorate-General aims at:
– Contributing to setting up an energy market providing citizens and business with affordable energy, competitive prices and technologically advanced energy services
– Promoting sustainable energy production, transport and consumption in line with the EU 2020 targets and with a view to the 2050 decarbonisation objective.
– Enhancing the conditions for secure energy supply in a spirit of solidarity between Member States.

In developing a European energy policy, the Directorate-General aims to support the Europe 2020 programme which, for energy, is captured in the Energy 2020 strategy.
The Directorate-General carries out its tasks in many different ways. For example, it develops strategic analyses and policies for the energy sector; promotes the completion of the internal energy market encompassing electricity, gas, oil and oil products, solid fuels and nuclear energy; supports the reinforcement of energy infrastructure, ensures that indigenous energy sources are exploited in safe and competitive conditions; ensures that markets can deliver agreed objectives, notably in efficiency and renewable energies; promotes and conducts an EU external energy policy; facilitates energy technology innovation; develops the most advanced legal framework for nuclear energy, covering safety, security and non-proliferation safeguards; monitors the implementation of existing EU law and makes new legislative proposals; encourages the exchange of best practices and provides information to stakeholders.