In his opening remarks to the ECOFIN conference, Valdis Dombrovskis, handing over to the new Croatian Presidency, singled out as key developments:
- the Green Deal or Sustainable Europe Investment Plan, the success of which is critical to meet the 2030 climate and energy targets. He noted the recently agreed taxonomy will give the private sector the tool it needs to identify what is green. Later this year, there will be a new sustainable finance strategy which will include new standards, labels and disclosure requirements for various financial products; and
- concern that some Member States did not implement MLD5 on time. He proposed that infringement proceedings would start from February to ensure the rules are implemented in full and in a timely way.