Upcoming EU Commissioners Hearings: What’s in it for the Bioenergy Sector?

Following the European Parliament elections in June, the new European Commission is now in the final stages of its establishment. From November 4 to 12, Commissioner designates formally proposed by President Ursula von der Leyen will undergo Parliamentary hearings in Brussels. Each candidate will face a three-hour assessment by the Parliamentary Committees responsible for their portfolios. If approved, the full College of Commissioners is expected to be voted by the European Parliament in plenary session on November 27th in Strasbourg, after a presentation and discussion with Commission’s President von der Leyen and her team of Commissioners.

The bioenergy sector is closely following the elections, focusing on the key candidates who will shape policies affecting the sector. The following Commissioner-designates are expected to play a central role:

Dan Jørgensen (Denmark, Energy and Housing), Wopke Hoekstra (Netherlands, Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth), Teresa Ribera Rodríguez (Spain, Clean, Just and Competitive Transition) and Christophe Hansen (Luxembourg, Agriculture and Food). Finally, Jessika Roswall (Sweden, Environment, Water Resilience, and Circular Economy) who has already expressed her intentions regarding the EU’s bioeconomy strategy. You can read more here.

If the new College of Commissioners is approved, a "Clean Industrial Deal" is expected within the first 100 days. This deal will include proposals for new climate targets for 2040, reviewing the EU’s climate law. The framework will play a key role in defining bioenergy’s contribution to Europe’s climate goals.