Brussels, 19 November 2021
On the 19th of November, the Commission adopted its 2022 Work Program, setting out the next steps of its agenda towards a post-COVID-19 Europe.
This Commission Work Program contains 42 new policy initiatives across all six headline ambitions of President Von der Leyen’s Political Guidelines, building on her 2021 State of the Union speech.
- A European Green Deal
On top of pursuing its efforts regarding the “Fit for 55” package, the Commission will propose a regulatory framework for certification of carbon removals. It will also take further steps towards zero-emission mobility and strengthen its commitment to place sustainable finance at the forefront of the EU’s recovery effort.
- A Europe fit for the digital age
The Commission will follow up on its path to the digital decade to deliver on the EU’s digital transformation by 2030. The Single Market remains key to Europe’s innovation and, therefore, 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, the Commission will adopt a European Chips Act and, additionally, propose a European Cyber Resilience Act to establish common cybersecurity standards.
- An economy that works for people
With the recovery gathering pace and economic activity on its way back to pre-crisis levels, the Commission will follow up on the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan as a guide towards quality jobs, fair working conditions and a better work-life balance and will present a proposal to improve the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work.
- 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 our European way of life
To ensure young people have the ability to shape the future, 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.
- A new push for European democracy
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.