In the second of our three part series on the progress of the European Commission’s 2015 Work Programme, we take a look at developments in the key areas of Migration and Energy.

Migration
In January, The Commission’s Work Programme on migration outlined four key areas to address the crisis situation in the Mediterranean. These are:

• The creation of a stronger common asylum policy
• The establishment of a new legal migration policy
• Taking action to secure external borders
• Reducing incentives for irregular migration

Developing a coherent asylum policy
Earlier this month the European Commission approved 23 multiannual national programmes under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the Internal Security Fund (ISF). The AMIF funding supports national efforts to make sure that asylum procedures are in line with EU standards. The total funding for the two programmes is €2.4 billion for 2014-2020. This money will now be available to Member States dealing with high migration issues. ISF funding will also be used for cross-border law enforcement security-related risks such as terrorism

Securing external borders
The Internal Security Fund (ISF) was set up for the period 2014-20 with a total of EUR 3.8 billion. The Fund will promote the implementation of the Internal Security Strategy, law enforcement cooperation and the management of the Union’s external borders. The ISF is composed of two instruments: ISF Borders and Visa and ISF Police.

In May, the European Commission approved the annual work programme for ISF Borders and Visa amounting to nearly €17 million on the basis of ensuring a high level of security in the EU while facilitating legitimate travel, through a uniform and high level of control of the external borders and the effective processing of Schengen visas, in compliance with the commitment to fundamental freedoms and human rights. All EU Member States, with the exception of the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as the Schengen Associated Countries are participating. In June, the European Commission approved the Annual Work Programme for the Internal Security Fund for Police amounting to €40 million. The programme will focus on the implementation of a CBRN Action Plan and activities supporting implementation of the European programme for critical infrastructure protection (EPCIP).

Progress on a new migration policy
Based upon the European Commission’s agenda for migration, the European Council meeting on 20 July 2015 adopted a resolution on relocating 40,000 people from Greece and Italy in clear need of international protection as well as a resolution on resettling 22,504 displaced people from outside the EU. The Council will formally adopt the decision once the European Parliament gives its opinion, which is expected in September. However, the Member States failed to agree on how to distribute the asylum seekers and postponed the decision until the end of the year. According to Luxembourg’s Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, it is possible that the first asylum seekers may be relocated before a full deal is reached, “starting from October”. However, opposition remains strong in some Member States, notably the United Kingdom.

Towards a European energy union
In May the European Commission Vice-President in charge of the Energy Union Maros Sefcovic commenced a tour of the Member States to reiterate calls to address global energy and climate challenges. During the tour, he presented the benefits of a European energy union to each country. The Commissioner is due to visit Ireland on 17 September. To coincide with this tour the Commission launched its Summer Energy Package in July which focuses on developing a new electricity market design, improved energy efficiency labelling and revising the EU emissions trading system.

Updating the electricity market
The Commission launched a public consultation on the new electricity market design. As it stands, customers are currently energy consumers but in the new market design will take part in market operations. The public consultation focuses on meeting consumers’ expectations, facilitating investments in renewables and low carbon generation, and recognising the interdependence of Member States when it comes to energy security. The Commission’s strategy is designed to help deliver 2030 climate and energy targets.

Introducing energy labelling
The introduction of energy labelling twenty years ago has encouraged the development of more energy effective products but has resulted in the current labelling system becoming overly complex. The Commission proposes returning to the original A to G energy label scale, which is easier and better understood by consumers. In 2015 and 2016, the Commission will review “all relevant energy efficiency legislation and will propose revisions, where needed, to underpin the 2030 target,” the Energy Union blueprint states.

Emissions Trading System
The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) is Europe’s main instrument for tackling climate change and for establishing a low-carbon economy. The Commission’s summer proposals seek to ensure that it remains the most efficient and cost-effective way to cut emissions. The EU aims to cut emissions by 40% by 2030. The Commissions approach aims at safeguarding the international competitiveness of industry sectors that are at the greatest risk of seeing their production relocated outside the EU.

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Read Part 3.