ECB revised its monetary policy strategy – what’s changed?

Abstract

The ECB’s revised monetary policy strategy has now been adopted. The new 2% inflation target is clear and unambiguous. The target is symmetric, meaning both negative and positive deviations of inflation from the target are considered as equally undesirable. Commitment to the symmetric inflation target requires especially forceful or persistent monetary policy measures when interest rates are close to their effective lower bound. This may imply a transitory period in which inflation is moderately above target. A medium-term orientation with the inflation target also allows the ECB to emphasise sustainable growth and full employment in its decision-making. In its monetary policy, the ECB also takes into account environmental sustainability, in line with the new climate-related action plan.