Consultation on the Revised Climate, Environment and Energy Aid Guidelines post-2022

ClientEarth argues that the draft CEEAG contains political compromises that undermine environmental ambitions, specifically criticizing the continued support for fossil gas, low-carbon hydrogen, and biomass. The organization advocates for the strict integration of the 'Energy Efficiency First' principle, the 'energy solidarity principle', and more rigorous safeguards to prevent 'carbon lock-in'. Key recommendations include limiting hydrogen aid to renewable sources, phasing out support for high-efficient cogeneration and small hydropower, and implementing stricter conditions for the closure of coal activities to ensure they occur by 2030.

• The draft CEEAG erroneously treats fossil gas as a 'transition fossil fuel', which ClientEarth argues is scientifically incompatible with the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and risks creating 'carbon lock-in'.
• ClientEarth recommends that State aid for hydrogen be strictly limited to renewable hydrogen, arguing that 'low-carbon' (fossil gas-derived) hydrogen is economically and climatically inferior and risks further fossil gas dependency.
• The 'Energy Efficiency First' (EE1st) principle is missing from the draft CEEAG; ClientEarth argues it should be a priority baseline for assessing the necessity of aid for energy production, security of supply, and energy infrastructure.
• The organization argues that the 'energy solidarity principle' must be formally integrated into State aid decisions to balance the interests of all Member States and the Union, particularly regarding renewable energy and energy efficiency targets.

APA

ClientEarth (2021). Consultation on the Revised Climate, Environment and Energy Aid Guidelines post-2022. https://www.clientearth.org/media/xnhae5ew/clientearth-reply-to-ceeag-consultation-02-08-2021.pdf

Chicago

ClientEarth. Consultation on the Revised Climate, Environment and Energy Aid Guidelines post-2022. 2021. https://www.clientearth.org/media/xnhae5ew/clientearth-reply-to-ceeag-consultation-02-08-2021.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=ClientEarth |title=Consultation on the Revised Climate, Environment and Energy Aid Guidelines post-2022 |date=August 2021 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/media/xnhae5ew/clientearth-reply-to-ceeag-consultation-02-08-2021.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{clientearth2021consultation, author = {{ClientEarth}}, title = {{Consultation on the Revised Climate, Environment and Energy Aid Guidelines post-2022}}, publisher = {ClientEarth}, year = {2021}, month = aug, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/media/xnhae5ew/clientearth-reply-to-ceeag-consultation-02-08-2021.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }