Tackling rising energy prices: a toolbox for action and support

Summary:

Communication published by the European Commission on 13 October 2021, aimed at addressing the rise in global energy prices which was projected to last through the winter.

Further information:

This Communication aims to enact and support appropriate measures to mitigate the impact of temporary energy price rises. While the EU's policy framework allows Member States to take targeted measures to protect vulnerable consumers and tackle impact on industry, the Commission decided to present a toolbox to allow a co-ordinated approach. The package aims to address negative effects of sudden price hikes and ensure affordability without fragmenting the European single energy market or jeopardizing investments in the energy sector and the green transition.

The document also provides an outlook onto coordinated measure the Commission considers to take over the medium-term to ensure a better preparedness to gas price fluctuations while reducing the EU's dependence on fossil fuels.

• Primary Source

Commentary and Analysis

Euronews, 23/09/2021: Why Europe's energy prices are soaring and could get much worse https://www.euronews.com/2021/09/23/why-europe-s-energy-prices-are-soaring-and-could-get-much-worse

EurActiv: Opinion, 06/10/2021: The only quick-fix to Europe’s energy price crisis is saving energy https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/opinion/the-only-quick-fix-to-europes-energy-price-crisis-is-saving-energy/

EurActiv, 07/10/2021: The EU’s ‘toolbox’ against soaring energy prices https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/leak-the-eus-toolbox-against-soaring-energy-prices/

BEUC: Press Release, 13/10/2021: Rising energy prices: EU package of measures good for consumers https://www.beuc.eu/publications/rising-energy-prices-eu-package-measures-good-consumers/html

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News

EurActiv, 29/09/2021: EU leaders to discuss soaring energy prices https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/eu-leaders-to-discuss-soaring-energy-prices/

Euronews, 04/10/2021: Europe's energy crisis: EU divided over response to soaring, 'unbearable' prices https://www.euronews.com/2021/10/04/europe-divided-over-response-to-soaring-unbearable-energy-prices

Associated Press, 04/10/2021: France, Spain press for changes as EU energy prices surge https://apnews.com/article/28b030967f667af75dca9bd459ac6f35

EurActiv, 05/10/2021: France, Spain urge pan-European response to energy price surge https://www.euractiv.com/section/electricity/news/france-spain-urge-pan-european-response-to-energy-price-surge/

RFE/RL, 05/10/2021: EU Looking Into Complaints That Russia Is Pushing Up Gas Prices https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-gazprom-gas-prices-complaints/31494652.html

Kathimerini, 05/10/2021: Greece proposes EU-wide mechanism on rising energy costs https://www.ekathimerini.com/economy/1169150/greece-proposes-eu-wide-mechanism-on-rising-energy-costs/

EurActiv, 06/10/2021: EU climate chief hints that ETS will be left out of ‘toolbox’ to tackle rising energy prices https://www.euractiv.com/section/emissions-trading-scheme/news/eu-climate-chief-hints-that-ets-will-be-left-out-of-toolbox-to-tackle-rising-energy-prices/

Reuters, 06/10/2021: Soaring energy prices climb EU's political agenda https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/soaring-energy-prices-climb-up-eus-political-agenda-2021-10-06/

EurActiv, 06/10/2021: EU points to upcoming gas market reform in response to price surge https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy/news/eu-points-to-upcoming-gas-market-reform-in-response-to-price-surge/

The Guardian, 12/10/2021: EU considers natural gas purchase in response to surging energy prices https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/12/eu-considers-natural-gas-purchase-in-response-to-surging-energy-prices

Deutsche Welle, 13/10/2021: EU unveils toolbox against high energy prices https://p.dw.com/p/41bgG

France24, 13/10/2021: EU moves to mitigate soaring energy prices ahead of winter months https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20211013-eu-moves-to-mitigate-soaring-energy-prices-ahead-of-winter-months

RTÉ News, 13/10/2021: EU outlines measures to target high energy prices https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2021/1013/1253390-eu-energy/

BBC News, 13/10/2021: Russia denies weaponising energy amid Europe gas crisis https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58896847

Wales Online, 13/10/2021: EU urges countries to cut taxes to help people cope with soaring energy prices https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/eu-urges-countries-cut-taxes-21847202

Reuters, 15/10/2021: EU leaders to press ahead with emergency relief for energy prices https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-leaders-press-ahead-with-emergency-relief-energy-prices-2021-10-15/

Deutsche Welle, 17/10/2021: EU warns of fuel poverty due to energy price crunch https://p.dw.com/p/41mmj

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Official

European Commission: Topics: Energy Prices https://ec.europa.eu/energy/topics/markets-and-consumers/EU-energy-prices_en

GUE/NGL Group: News, 06/10/2021: Energy prices in Europe are skyrocketing. We will not let corporate greed win! https://left.eu/medias/video/energy-prices-in-europe-are-skyrocketing-we-will-not-let-corporate-greed-win/

European Commission: Press Release, 13/10/2021: Energy prices: Commission presents a toolbox of measures to tackle exceptional situation and its impacts* https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_5204

European Commission: Questions and Answers: Commission Communication on Energy Prices (13 October 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_21_5202

European Commission: Speech by Commissioner Simson on the Communication on Energy Prices (13 October 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_21_5244

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