From ambition to action: What does the French Presidency need to prioritize in 2022?

France has announced their Council Presidency’s motto: Recovery, power, belonging. How does this bold ambition translate into progressing key policies, particularly for European electrification and critical materials?

Politically, this Council Presidency will be an interesting one, with President Marcon’s position up for election in April - halfway through France’s six-month term. The current French President will of course be looking to prove the Council Presidency’s success. Therefore, the national political situation cannot distract from an ambitious EU agenda, not least in the area of climate, for which 2022 will be a crucial year.

France starts a new 18-month trio of Presidencies. Next up will be the Czech Republic (July-December 2022) and Sweden (January - June 2023). We set out below the cobalt industry’s action list for this trio, which requires a strong start from France in January.?

Action 1: Lead the EU’s next steps to 2030

We fully support President Emmanuel Macron’s ambition to “electrify everything that can be electrified and to have the most decarbonized electricity production possible.” Cobalt is a critical material as the EU moves towards electric vehicles and renewable energy storage, as it is an essential component of batteries. France must take advantage of the momentum and drive forward the energy and transport transformation through the multitude of legislative proposals on the table.

Action 2: Adopting future proofed Batteries Regulation

Batteries are at the heart of Europe’s electrification and the EU needs to progress the work and adopt the Batteries Regulation before it can fully exploit the opportunities which electrification presents. The Regulation, expected to be finalized during the French Presidency, has to keep pace with innovation in the batteries market and meet ambitious sustainability targets.

For example, ensuring that the new targets for recycling cover all substances which are used at scale in batteries would create the right incentives for battery manufacturers. Adopting a Batteries Regulation that can stand the test of time chimes with President Macron’s aim to “reconcile climate ambitions and economic development".

Action 3: Drive forward an EU chemicals framework fit for purpose

To remain internationally competitive, the EU needs a framework which regulates chemicals according to the conditions where they are used without unnecessary duplication. Ahead of the expected review of REACH and of the use of hazardous substances in electronics in 2022, French Presidency can play a crucial role in laying the groundwork for effective chemicals regulation by working with stakeholders to bolster safe and sustainable chemical production in the EU.

Action 4: Ensuring harmonization and consistency across due diligence frameworks

The Commission is expected to launch its Sustainable Corporate Governance initiative in early 2022. Starting under France’s Presidency, the new trio of Presidencies has the responsibility to align the initiative with existing international standards on responsible business conduct to achieve global harmonization. France can lead the EU in ensuring full harmonization and consistency of requirements in sectoral and cross-sectoral policies and legal frameworks. This is the only way to create an effective working framework which also respects the EU’s Better Regulation principles, thereby creating a fully functioning system which achieves true positive change at a global level.

Action 5: Prioritize partnerships with Africa on sustainable raw materials

2022 will be a significant year to strengthen EU’s ties with Africa. Demand for raw materials will continue to rise and forging global partnerships will be ever more important in the face of competitive investment in Africa from other parts of the world. Africa is a key strategic business partner for the EU and fostering economic growth on basis of EU values can open a new chapter of cooperation in 2022.