As the EU enters its new legislative term, the CERRE White Paper “Ambitions for Europe 2024-2029: Harnessing Regulation to Boost the Twin Transition” outlines nine key ambitions to strengthen Europe’s regulatory landscape, focusing on resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability across the technology, energy, and mobility sectors. The paper’s release coincides with two important developments. These are, on the one hand, the re-election of U.S. President Donald Trump. This will have significant implications for Europe’s economy, trade, technology, and climate. On the other hand, the hearings of the European Commissioners-designate are being completed, marking a crucial moment for EU policymakers to reaffirm their commitment to digital leadership and environmental responsibility.
Simplifying regulation for a changing world
Backed by the insights of 11 CERRE academics, the “Ambitions for Europe 2024-2029” White Paper calls for clear, flexible, and forward-looking EU regulation that enhances resilience, competitiveness, and sustainability. Prioritising simplicity and a risk-based approach while protecting the public interest, “Ambitions for Europe 2024-2029” focuses on regulatory innovation, digital transformation, energy transition, and mobility.
It includes the following nine key ambitions:
- Towards a New Regulatory Approach: The EU should adopt adaptable regulatory methods, aligning policies and resources while incorporating market insights. A risk-based approach should target high-risk firms and ease burdens on smaller businesses.
- Building Robust, Resilient, and Future-Proof Digital Infrastructure: To maintain competitiveness, Europe must invest in a secure and interoperable digital backbone that can support the expanding digital economy.
- Ensuring a Safe, Positive, and Fair Online Platform Ecosystem: Effective regulation should foster a balanced online environment that protects users and promotes transparency while holding platforms accountable.
- Creating a Thriving and Competitive Data and Innovation Economy: Safeguarding data sovereignty and promoting cross-border data flows are essential to Europe’s success in the global data economy.
- Developing Fair and Efficient Energy and Carbon Markets: Transparent, well-regulated energy and carbon markets are vital to Europe’s decarbonisation efforts, providing incentives for green investments.
- Building Resilient and Sufficient Energy Infrastructure: Sustainable energy infrastructure is essential for Europe’s long-term energy security and the green transition.
- Creating an Institutional Framework to Reach Net Zero: Europe must align national and EU-wide strategies to build efficient governance frameworks that facilitate net zero goals.
- Supporting Effective and Fair Public Transport: A robust public transport network is crucial to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing connectivity throughout Europe.
- Establishing a Leading-Edge European Mobility Data Space: Developing a secure, smart, and eco-friendly data space will enable sustainable travel options and support innovation in mobility.
European Parliament launch event
The White Paper is being launched on 13 November at the European Parliament during the event “Getting Regulation Right for Europe’s Digital & Net Zero Future,” hosted by MEP Stéphanie Yon-Courtin. The event also features a panel on how regulation can drive competitiveness and decarbonisation, with experts from BEUC, Deutsche Telekom, the PPC Group, and CERRE.
