The George Washington University Law School hosted a delegation led by Daniel Calleja Y Crespo, Director-General for Legal Service of the European Commission. Director-General Calleja’s presentation "Facing the Perfect Storm: What is the EU Strategy Addressing the Current Geopolitical, Energy and Climate Challenges?" was followed by a lively discussion, moderated by Rosa Celorio, GW Law’s Associate Dean for International and Comparative Legal Studies and Burnett Family Distinguished Professorial Lecturer in International and Comparative Law and Policy.
Director-General Calleja addressed the challenges that the European Union faces as it seeks both energy security and achievement of its climate goals. He noted that the current outlook demands strategies to address the recent surge in commodity prices, renewed supply chain disruptions, and weakening global growth. The war in Ukraine, and the consequent uncertainty in the security of gas and oil exports from Russia, have added to the COVID-induced economic stresses. Director-General Calleja outlined the near-term measures that the European Union has already taken, such as emergency support to those most affected by high energy prices, and measures to encourage energy conservation and efficiency; and the medium-term measures required, such as continued investment in renewable energy, improved interconnections, and the removal of investment bottlenecks.
Director-General Calleja’s remarks demonstrated how the current situation underscores the importance of reducing the EU’s dependence on imported fossil fuels. He affirmed that the EU is continuing to move forward on its larger strategic goals for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, with an interim goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 through its “Fit by 55” plan. Fit by 55 is designed to achieve a cost-effective, just, and inclusive transition that strengthens the EU’s competitiveness.
Following the presentation, which was attended by GW students, faculty, and staff, Director-General Calleja met with Dean Dayna Bowen Matthew. The event marks Director-General Calleja’s second visit to the GW campus this year.
The visit was arranged by GW Environmental & Energy Management Institute (EMMI). GW Law’s participation was coordinated by Donna Attanasio, GW Law’s Assistant Dean for Energy Law who is also an affiliate of EEMI. “GW was delighted to host Director-General Calleja and the delegation from the European Commission,” said Attanasio. “University-wide collaborations, such as the one between EEMI and the Law School, provide GW Law students with global and cross-disciplinary enhancements to their classroom studies. We at GW Law are very fortunate to have colleagues in so many other disciplines across campus who are as committed to understanding and addressing the energy, climate, and environmental challenges the world faces as we are. These include colleagues in engineering, international affairs, public policy, business, public health, medicine, and media.”