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European Commission - Daily News Daily News 03 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 3 February 2026 Commission greenlights the Netherlands' third payment request for €551 million under NextGenerationEU Today, the European Commission positively assessed the Netherlands' third payment request of €551 million in grants under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU. This is an important step in t...
European Commission - Daily News Daily News 03 / 02 / 2026 Brussels, 3 February 2026 Commission greenlights the Netherlands' third payment request for €551 million under NextGenerationEU Today, the European Commission positively assessed the Netherlands' third payment request of €551 million in grants under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU. This is an important step in the delivery of the reforms and investments tied to this payment request, in the areas of innovation, education and energy efficiency of homes. The Commission has now sent its preliminary assessment of the Netherland's fulfilment of the milestones and targets required for this payment to the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC), which has four weeks to deliver its opinion. The payment to the Netherlands can take place following the EFC's opinion, and the adoption of a payment decision by the Commission later. A press release is available online. (For more information: Maciej Berestecki — Tel.: + 32 2 299 66483; Anna Wartberger – Tel: +32 2 28 20 54) EU sets world's first voluntary standard for permanent carbon removals Today, the European Commission adopted the first set of methodologies under the carbon removals and carbon farming (CRCF) Regulation to certify activities that permanently remove CO 2 from the atmosphere . By adopting these first voluntary certification methodologies, the EU is setting clear rules and creating new opportunities for climate innovation, investments in carbon removal technologies and addressing greenwashing. This milestone positions the EU as a global leader in carbon removals. It provides clarity for companies and investors and helps to create an emerging market for both innovative start-ups and a major EU bioeconomy while supporting the EU's objective of becoming climate-neutral by 2050. Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth, Wopke Hoekstra , said: “ The European Union is taking decisive action to lead the global effort in carbon removals. By establishing clear, robust voluntary standards, we are not only fostering responsible and climate action within Europe but also setting a global benchmark for others to follow. This a vital step toward achieving our climate neutrality targets and ensuring a sustainable future.” The new rules cover three types of permanent carbon removal activities : direct air capture with carbon storage, biogenic emissions capture with carbon storage and biochar carbon removal. With the certification framework and the governance rules now in place, carbon removal projects using these activities can start applying for EU certification. This will allow the first projects to be certified and recognised under the EU's carbon removal framework in the coming months . The delegated Regulation will now be transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for a scrutiny period, after which, in the absence of objections, it will enter into force. More information on the new permanent carbon removals methodologies is available online. (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen – Tel.: +32 2 295 75 01; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25) Commission unveils Europe's Gender Equality champions in research and innovation The European Commission has unveiled the winners of the fourth edition of the EU Awards for Gender Equality Champions in Research and Innovation . These awards honour universities, higher education institutions, and other organisations that have excelled in fostering gender equality throughout the European research and innovation world. Gender equality is a priority of Horizon Europe , with mandatory Gender Equality Plans (GEPs) serving as a prerequisite for participating in the Framework Programme. In the Sustainable Gender Equality Champion category, Bielefeld University in Germany has been recognised for its three-decade commitment to pioneering gender equality measures that have transformed its institutional culture. The other winner is the Open University of Catalonia in Spain for its progressive journey of over 15 years culminating in its fifth Gender Equality Plan that builds on prior successes with a dedication to continuous improvement. The Newcomer Gender Equality Champion category highlights institutions that have recently initiated impactful gender equality measures. Jozef Stefan Institute in Slovenia has implemented decisive actions within its GEP, addressing critical issues such as gender-based violence and harassment. Similarly, Charles University in Czechia stands out with its collaborative approach, engaging stakeholders across various phases of its Gender Equality Plan. In the Inclusive Champion category, University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland has been acclaimed for its pioneering intersectional equality initiatives. UCC has introduced transformative programmes like reverse mentoring for women facing multiple biases, improved campus accessibility, and supportive policies for those undergoing personal transitions. These winners now join an elite group of 11 pioneering institutions in creating lasting change in gender equality within research and innovation. Managed by the European Research Executive Agency , the awards are designed to complement the GEP eligibility criteria and incentivise more inclusive plans within the European Research Area framework. Winners are selected by an independent expert jury. (For more information: Maciej Berestecki — Tel.: + 32 2 299 66483; Isabel Arriaga e Cunha – Tel.: 32 229-52117) Commission opens in-depth foreign subsidies investigation into Goldwind's activities in the EU wind sector The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess, under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (‘FSR'), the activities of Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (‘Goldwind') in the production and sale of wind turbines and the provision of related services within the EU. The Commission has preliminary concerns that Goldwind may have been granted foreign subsidies that could distort the EU internal market. The possible foreign subsidies include grants , preferential tax measures , and preferential financing in the form of loans. The Commission has preliminary concerns that these foreign subsidies may improve Goldwind's competitive position in the internal market and may negatively affect competition for the supply of wind turbines and related services in the EU. In its in-depth investigation, the Commission will assess whether the preliminary findings are confirmed. The opening of an in-depth investigation does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation. A press release is available online. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774) Commission clears creation of joint venture by Plenitude and Société Générale The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint venture by Eni Plenitude S.p.A. Società Benefit (‘Plenitude') of Italy and Société Générale S.A. of France, through its subsidiary Vulturno Investments S.A. (‘SG Investor') of Spain. The transaction relates primarily to the operation and acquisition of solar, wind and battery storage technologies. The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website , in the public case register under the case number M.12190 . (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschütz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83) Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings Note that these items can be subject to changes. Upcoming events of the European Commission Eurostat press releases Calendar items of the President and Commissioners Individual calendars of the President and Commissioners MEX/26/305
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