EURACTIV Events: Recent Episodes

EURACTIV

The EURACTIV Events podcasts is the audio version of our policy debates and stakeholder forums. These events bring together relevant EU institution policymakers with industry stakeholders and NGOs to discuss the most important policies being developed in Europe.

In October 2020, the European Commission adopted its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS). The CSS is part of the EU’s zero pollution ambition – a key commitment of the European Green Deal. The EU’s chemicals strategy aims to better protect citizens and the environment, and boost innovation for safe and sustainable chemicals.

The significance of this strategy is underscored by the fact that 84% of Europeans are worried about the impact of chemicals present in everyday products on their health, and 90% are worried about their impact on the environment. Compounding these concerns, global chemical production is expected to double by 2030, increasing the already widespread usage of chemicals, including in consumer products.

To work towards the objectives of the EU's chemicals strategy, a reform of REACH was also announced. With respect to risk management, the Commission proposed to ban the most harmful chemicals - namely chemical substances meeting specific hazards criteria - in consumer products, allowing those chemicals only where their use is considered essential. This is referred to as the Essential Use Concept (EUC).

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to learn more about the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) and the definition and application of the Essential Use Concept (EUC). Has the CSS been successful in its ambitions so far, particularly concerning the European Green Deal? What impact could the EUC have on innovation, better regulation and wider policy goals?

In November 2022, the European Commission proposed to revise the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), with the idea of reducing the negative environmental impacts of packaging and packaging waste, while improving the functioning of the internal market.

This revision aims to prevent the generation of packaging waste, reduce its quantity, and promote reuse and refill. It also aims to ensure that all packaging on the EU market will be recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030, while increasing the use of recycled plastics in packaging.

It additionally proposes some key measures to bring about change. One of these measures focuses on proposing targets for packaging waste reduction at the Member State level, and mandatory reuse targets for economic operators for selected packaging groups.

According to some stakeholders, there are certain aspects of the proposed revision that require further elaboration to ensure effective implementation. They consider that reuse and recycling should be complementary and reuse targets should be realistic and positive for the environment, society, and economy. Furthermore they argue that waste prevention measures are essential, while market restrictions should be evaluated to ensure they do not increase the environmental impact and food waste.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to learn about the proposed revision to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. How can it be fit for all? And how can the key measures be achieved in a way that fits the entire value chain?

Illicit trade is a growing concern in Europe. Over the past few years, investigators have noted an increase in factories making illicit products within the bloc. This represents a shift, as previously, most of the illicit products consumed within Europe originated outside the EU. However, the COVID pandemic, as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have resulted in the restriction of some routes that were traditionally used by smugglers at the Eastern border.

Taking tobacco as an example, in 2022 alone, international operations involving the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) led to the seizure of 531 million illicit cigarettes, more than 205 tonnes of raw tobacco and 65 tonnes of water-pipe tobacco. The majority of these cigarette seizures were made from illicit production sites within the EU.

With regards to consumption, a report by KPMG estimates that while total cigarette consumption is declining in the EU, some of that reduction is offset by an increase in illicit cigarette consumption in the region. This grew by 3.9 percent in 2021, reaching 35.5 billion cigarettes in total. A better understanding of the increase in illicit cigarettes is required. One potential explanation may be the high excise tax increase throughout the EU in recent years.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to discuss illicit trade in Europe. What practices can Member States put in place to tackle this issue?

A EURACTIV event with the support of Philip Morris International.

European agriculture employs over 10 million people, with a significant proportion (as many as 61.2%) engaged in 'informal employment'. These workers often face poor wages, long working hours, undeclared work, and sub-standard housing, amongst other hardships. Accusations of exploitation, and even modern slavery, have been made in some countries.

In June 2021, the EU institutions took a crucial first step towards addressing this by introducing 'social conditionality' into the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform.

The new measure of social conditionality requires farmers to comply with minimum social and labour standards in order to receive CAP subsidies. National authorities can decide to reduce – or withdraw in the most severe cases – the CAP subsidies where a farmer does not respect one or several requirements under this EU legislation.

The introduction of this measure is currently voluntary, but will become mandatory in all EU countries as of 2025. France, Italy, and Austria have already opted to introduce social conditionality as of 2023. The impact of social conditionality on workers' conditions will be reviewed by the Commission in a public report in 2027.

While many believe that the introduction of social conditionality is a step in the right direction, some stakeholders argue that the level of sanctions imposed at the national level are too low. They call on the European Commission to develop a coordinated and harmonised system of sanctions across Europe.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to learn social conditionality and its impact on the working conditions of agri-workers. How do these reforms affect farmers? Are there any potential drawbacks or unintended consequences of introducing social conditionality in the CAP? If so, what might they be, and how could they be addressed?

Co-funded by the European Union.

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The Farm to Fork Strategy is at the heart of the Green Deal, addressing the challenges associated with establishing sustainable food systems. It aims to make food systems fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly.

Food systems are significant contributors to climate change and environmental degradation. Many agrifood stakeholders believe there is an urgent need to reduce dependency on pesticides and antimicrobials, reduce excess fertilisation, increase organic farming, improve animal welfare, and reverse biodiversity loss.

According to the European Commission, there are currently 33 million people in the EU who cannot afford a nutritious meal every other day. This suggests food assistance is essential. Creating a supportive food environment that promotes healthy and sustainable diets will benefit consumers’ health and quality of life, and reduce health-related costs for society.

One of the flagship initiatives of the Farm to Fork Strategy is the proposed legislative framework for sustainable food systems (FSFS). This framework, set to be adopted by the Commission before the end of 2023, aims to accelerate and simplify the transition towards sustainable food systems.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to explore the EU's Farm to Fork Strategy and learn what lies ahead for the future of food and sustainable food systems. Does the EU's Farm to Fork Strategy go far enough? What elements should be included in the proposed legislative framework for sustainable food systems (FSFS) to accelerate the transition towards sustainable food systems?

In light of the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the nations of Central Asia have gained renewed importance for the European Union.

For the EU, the chief imports from the region are energy and raw materials, including oil from Kazakhstan. The EU seeks to increase its engagement in these sectors and in October 2022 signed a memorandum of understanding with Kazakhstan on access to critical raw materials. Oil and gas are crucial for European countries to diversify their supplies away from Russia. An increase in Kazakh oil may be an attractive option for the EU.

Central Asia has historically developed close political, security, economic and human ties with Russia but also with China, Turkey and Iran.

Recently, the region’s countries have found themselves “sandwiched” between some of its key economic partners. Transit countries have been subjected to sanctions from their other major trade and investment partners in the West.

At the same time, a number of countries in the region are going through rather complicated and dynamic domestic changes. Within slightly more than two years, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have seen major constitutional reforms voted in nationwide referendums, adjusting their government systems to the dominant trends in their societies, while facing some significant turmoil in areas of security.

Last October, the first meeting between the EU Council’s President and leaders of Central Asian nations took place in Astana. And a second meeting is scheduled to take place on 2nd June 2023 in Cholpon-Ata (Kyrgyzstan). The region’s countries receive similar attention from Russia and China who also held similar multilateral meetings last October and last May respectively. The U.S. Secretary of State attended such a meeting at the level of foreign ministers last February.

Other high level regional platforms in the first half of 2023 include the Tashkent Investment Forum and the Astana International Forum, as well as the second EU – Central Asia Economic Forum in Almaty on May 18-19.

Does this intensity of events and contacts involving EU and Central Asia signify a renewed cooperation drive with the region?

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to learn how best the EU can advance its agenda in Central Asia. How will this renewed engagement develop? Are there limitations to the partnership? How can Kazakhstan contribute to the development of interregional cooperation?

Generative AI has garnered significant attention recently due to its unique ability to create novel content designed to mimic humans.

ChatGPT is a form of generative AI currently gaining popularity. It is designed to generate human-like text in a chatbot context. This AI-powered chat tool is an example of how generative AI can automate content creation, in this case, by generating responses to user input in a chatbot.

It has the potential to revolutionise many industries by automating the creation of content, analysing large amounts of data and overall improving efficiency, which frees up workers' time. However, generative AI’s potential impact on the work landscape of the information industry has led to scepticism. There are concerns about job displacement and a loss of human perspective and voice.

Another drawback of generative AI is that it reflects society's biases on issues such as gender and race. It can generate fake news, such as ‘deepfakes’: images or videos created by AI that appear realistic but are false and misleading.

Currently, the EU’s approach to artificial intelligence centres on excellence and trust, aiming to boost research and industrial capacity while ensuring safety and fundamental rights.

In December 2022, the Council adopted its common position on the Artificial Intelligence Act which aims to ensure that AI systems placed on the EU market and used in the Union are safe and respect existing laws on fundamental rights and Union values.

Rewatch this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference, part of the Horizon Europe project AI4TRUST, to find out about the benefits and risks of generative AI. Discussed questions included:

Is there a place for generative AI in our society?
What repercussions does generative AI have for the information industry? How does it impact journalism and content creation?
What safeguards can be put in place to regulate generative AI?
Does the European Commission’s AI Act adequately protect us from the drawbacks of generative AI?

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme under Grant Agreement no 101070190.

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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Education plays a critical role in addressing climate change as it raises awareness and builds the knowledge and skills necessary to transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future. Some of the ways in which education can contribute to tackling climate change include climate literacy, sustainability education, green skills training, and community building.

Educational programmes that provide climate literacy encompass the knowledge and understanding of the science of climate change, its impacts, and the ways in which individuals and communities can take action to address it. Being better educated about climate change means that citizens are far more likely to understand the problem and are empowered to make changes in their own lives.

Sustainability education aims to equip individuals with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to create a more sustainable future. This includes teaching about the causes and consequences of climate change, as well as practical solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

As the world shifts towards a more sustainable future, there is an increasing need for workers with green skills, such as renewable energy technicians, sustainable building designers, and green business managers. Education can help prepare individuals for these in-demand jobs and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Education is also a powerful tool for engaging communities and inspiring action on climate change. For example, schools can engage their students and families in sustainability projects and initiatives, such as planting trees, reducing energy use, and composting.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to learn about the role that education plays in building a sustainable future and empowering young people to tackle climate change. What could be the most efficient tool in equipping today's youth with the skills needed to make a real difference in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change? How can public-funded projects contribute to this?

Life Terra is co-financed by the European Commission through the LIFE Programme (LIFE19 CCM/NL/001200).
The content of this publication represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The Agency does not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.

Transplantation is a life-saving procedure in the case of organ failure (e.g. end-stage renal disease). While there is an established clinical practice, the overall number of transplants performed is limited by the availability of organs. The European Union has been working towards improving the organ transplantation process and addressing the shortage of organs for transplantation.

In 2019, the EU passed a directive on the quality and safety of human organs intended for transplantation. The directive sets out common quality and safety standards for the procurement, testing, preservation, and storage of organs across the EU Member States. The aim of this directive is to ensure that all organs used for transplantation meet high safety and quality standards.

The highest number of transplants are kidney transplants, followed by liver and heart transplants. According to data from the European Union, in 2021, there were over 36,000 organ transplants carried out in the EU, yet there were over 41,000 new patients registered on the waiting list. This suggests that many persons who need a transplant are still waiting for a suitable donor organ.

As the demand for organs exceeds the supply, some individuals may still die while waiting for a suitable donor organ to become available. This shortage is exacerbated by the reluctance of some individuals and families to donate organs, as well as the lack of an effective system for identifying potential donors. Another challenge is the lack of coordination and standardisation among EU Member States. This can lead to inconsistencies in the quality and safety of transplanted organs, and can also make it more difficult to share organs between countries.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out how to empower transplant patients, facilitating a meaningful dialogue between organ donors and their families, caregivers and transplant professionals. Discussed questions included:
– How can different stakeholders partner and not work in silos in order to improve the overall healthcare system and positively impact patient outcomes?
– How can transplantation be encouraged and included more in the global health discussion?
– How can we reduce the gaps for people who are waiting for a transplant?
– How can the shortage of available organs be overcome?

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One aspect of the European Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy, aimed at a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system, is to combat negative health impacts. As part of this, new technologies and scientific discoveries, combined with increasing public awareness and demand for sustainable food, are employed to put food systems on a sustainable path and strengthen citizen access to nutritious and sustainable food.

Technological advances and digital tools can also provide support when it comes to consumer choice. Algorithms could suggest tailored options to consumers based on health profiling and consumer history, genetic research and health data. To facilitate this, and prepare our societies for the future, some stakeholders argue that the front-of-pack nutritional label currently being reviewed by the European Commission needs to take a different, more progressive approach.

They claim that the current use of different front-of-pack schemes in the internal market could result in additional costs for businesses, consumer confusion and a lack of trust. To avoid this, a common approach amongst Member States has been proposed. They want legislation to be updated to take account of how our future diets are likely to look.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out the opportunities and challenges facing the EU regarding front-of-pack labelling. Is there scope for a future where our smart devices and AI provide us with all the relevant information we need to eat or purchase based on our personal data? What steps need to be taken in this direction? And how can citizens be provided with the necessary information to make the right nutritional choices, especially those with health deficiencies?

2022 is arguably the most eventful year in the history of Kazakhstan since it gained its independence.

The tragic turmoil of early January 2022 led to extensive changes in the Kazakh government and society. President Tokayev proposed a series of reforms aimed at building what he has termed as ‘New Kazakhstan’ or ‘Just and Fair Kazakhstan’. This included amendments to the country’s laws, including the Constitution, as approved by the nationwide referendum of June 5th.

Additionally, in his address at the opening of the Parliament session on September 1st, Tokayev proposed limiting the presidential mandate to a single term of seven years without the right of re-election, a practice in use for popularly elected heads of state in a handful of states in Asia and Latin America, but so far unknown in Central Asia. The relevant amendment to the Constitution was later approved by the parliament.

To finalise the re-boot of the country’s political system under an updated constitution and political realities on the ground, Tokayev announced early presidential elections scheduled for November 20th and parliamentary elections to be held in the first half of 2023.

The country’s economy has largely withstood the effects of the January turmoil and the regional geopolitical tensions. The government has kept its adherence to a free market and a favourable investment climate.

Internationally, Kazakhstan’s neighbourhood has been rocked by Russia's war on Ukraine and the exchange of sanctions between Russia and other G20 nations.

Join this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to discuss the preliminary outcomes of the country’s presidential elections following a turbulent year, and how the elections will shape Astana’s relations with the EU and the international community.

As part of the EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy, at the end of the year the European Commission will propose a harmonised mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling system. This is designed to help consumers make informed, sustainable and health-conscious food choices across Member States. The Commission’s proposal will also include setting up nutrient profiles to restrict the promotion of foods high in fat, sugars and/or salt with the aim of facilitating a shift to healthier diets and to drive food reformulation.

There is a lot at stake for consumer choice. According to the wider food and beverage industry, the upcoming proposal should be easy to interpret and, based on dietary guidelines, ensure that consumers are well informed about the nutritional benefits of food and drink products. But some industry stakeholders are concerned that the focus of EU policymakers on specific nutrients risks entrenching negative perceptions around certain food products, despite scientific evidence that supports their positive contribution to European diets.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out the importance of a balanced approach in assessing the nutritional benefits of beverages and food products. What are the potential implications of a new, mandatory front-of-pack labelling system to help inform consumer choices? Taking the example of the fruit juice sector, the debate discussed the latest policy developments, industry perspectives and scientific research in this area and look ahead at what to expect in 2023.

The EU’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act is the first legal framework on AI. It aims to provide developers, deployers and users with clear guidelines on the development and use of AI. It also aims to reduce administrative and financial costs for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and encourage investment and innovation in AI. But for cost-conscious SMEs, there is a fine line striking the right balance between regulation and innovation.

European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) could play a role in reducing the cost of adoption of the AI Act for SMEs. EDIHs aim to support companies to respond to digital challenges and become more competitive. They can provide technical expertise and testing, and stir digital transformation, while supporting conformity assessment. This can in turn create a network of EDIHs with their own specialisations in certain markets and areas of application and lead to achieving economies of scale and scope.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out how the AI Act can support a thriving economy for SMEs and what the implications of the AI Act are for this sector. Can a trustworthy and innovative AI ecosystem be designed? And can the costs for SMEs actually be lower thanks to the AI Act?

Disease prevention is one of the fundamental functions of public health. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the devastating impact of infectious diseases on adult health, quality of life, mortality and resilience, and importantly, the functioning of our healthcare systems and the global economy. These devastating impacts on our society reinforced the importance of adult immunisation as a key path to return to a “new normal”.

It is argued that we need a more robust adult vaccination strategy in Europe, particularly for adults aged over 50, who experience a steeper decline in their immune systems from that age as well as chronic diseases. OECD data across 26 countries show that more than one third of people aged 16 and over live with a longstanding illness or health problem. As populations age, the prevalence of chronic conditions, including multimorbidity, rises, leading to a higher risk of complications, including cardiovascular diseases, from Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), that can reduce the quality of life, with a potential loss of independence.

For decades, many countries have had solid childhood immunisation strategies. However, until the Covid-19 pandemic, adult immunisation programmes were rarely at the core of the public health debate.

Studies indicate that the proportion of adults aged over 50 in the European Union is projected to reach 50% by 2025. This demographic trend increases the importance of advancing prevention measures, specifically routine adult immunisation programmes, as a public health priority.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out the potential of adult immunisation to fight vaccine-preventable diseases and the pressure such programmes would have on our healthcare systems.

Disease prevention is one of the fundamental functions of public health. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the devastating impact of infectious diseases on adult health, quality of life, mortality and resilience, and importantly, the functioning of our healthcare systems and the global economy. These devastating impacts on our society reinforced the importance of adult immunisation as a key path to return to a “new normal”.

It is argued that we need a more robust adult vaccination strategy in Europe, particularly for adults aged over 50, who experience a steeper decline in their immune systems from that age as well as chronic diseases. OECD data across 26 countries show that more than one third of people aged 16 and over live with a longstanding illness or health problem. As populations age, the prevalence of chronic conditions, including multimorbidity, rises, leading to a higher risk of complications, including cardiovascular diseases, from Vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), that can reduce the quality of life, with a potential loss of independence.

For decades, many countries have had solid childhood immunisation strategies. However, until the Covid-19 pandemic, adult immunisation programmes were rarely at the core of the public health debate.

Studies indicate that the proportion of adults aged over 50 in the European Union is projected to reach 50% by 2025. This demographic trend increases the importance of advancing prevention measures, specifically routine adult immunisation programmes, as a public health priority.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out the potential of adult immunisation to fight vaccine-preventable diseases and the pressure such programmes would have on our healthcare systems.

The current geopolitical context has exposed several shortcomings of the EU energy system, leaving households and industry to face sharp energy price increases. The role of natural gas as a transitional energy carrier is now uncertain. Industries relying on a mix of natural gas and hydrogen for their GHG emissions reduction are having to reconsider their investment plans.

We are witnessing the beginning of major changes in industrial value chains and the energy sector, induced by heightened climate change policy targets. Industry and citizens are looking for a vigorous EU hydrogen market, one that will be able to deliver renewable and low carbon hydrogen in large volumes and in the shortest time-frame possible, bringing us closer to a climate neutral society.

However, this has to be created from the very beginning, with currently no hydrogen economy in place, nor the basic infrastructure to deliver it to end-consumers. The Commission proposals on an EU framework to decarbonise gas markets, promote hydrogen and reduce methane emissions are set to deliver on this ambitious agenda, trying to solve the most pressing issues we are experiencing today.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out how to ramp up hydrogen production and speed up the steel industry's transition in the current context of an unprecedented energy crisis. Discussed questions included:

What are the key requirements to create a well-functioning hydrogen market?
Will the EU Gas & Hydrogen package be fit to deliver and ramp up hydrogen production in a short timeframe?
Can the decarbonisation of the steel industry be a proof of success for the hydrogen framework itself?
Should the EU consider prioritising the limited volumes of hydrogen available before 2030 to the industrial sectors most in need?

The current geopolitical context has exposed several shortcomings of the EU energy system, leaving households and industry to face sharp energy price increases. The role of natural gas as a transitional energy carrier is now uncertain. Industries relying on a mix of natural gas and hydrogen for their GHG emissions reduction are having to reconsider their investment plans.

We are witnessing the beginning of major changes in industrial value chains and the energy sector, induced by heightened climate change policy targets. Industry and citizens are looking for a vigorous EU hydrogen market, one that will be able to deliver renewable and low carbon hydrogen in large volumes and in the shortest time-frame possible, bringing us closer to a climate neutral society.

However, this has to be created from the very beginning, with currently no hydrogen economy in place, nor the basic infrastructure to deliver it to end-consumers. The Commission proposals on an EU framework to decarbonise gas markets, promote hydrogen and reduce methane emissions are set to deliver on this ambitious agenda, trying to solve the most pressing issues we are experiencing today.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out how to ramp up hydrogen production and speed up the steel industry's transition in the current context of an unprecedented energy crisis. Discussed questions included:

What are the key requirements to create a well-functioning hydrogen market?
Will the EU Gas & Hydrogen package be fit to deliver and ramp up hydrogen production in a short timeframe?
Can the decarbonisation of the steel industry be a proof of success for the hydrogen framework itself?
Should the EU consider prioritising the limited volumes of hydrogen available before 2030 to the industrial sectors most in need?

Die neue Gemeinsame EU-Agrarpolitik (GAP) tritt nächstes Jahr in Kraft. Ab 2023 sollen die Reformen - unter anderem in den Bereichen Fairness, Nachhaltigkeit und Wettbewerbsfähigkeit - wirksam gemacht werden. GAP und Green Deal gehen Hand in Hand, das ist eines der großen Versprechen der EU-Agrarreform.

Begünstigte erhalten zum Beispiel nur dann Zahlungen, wenn sie sich an bestimmte ökologische Bedingungen halten. Damit trägt Landwirtschaft einen bedeutenden Teil zum Europäischen Green Deal bei, dem Ziel, bis 2050 emissionsfrei zu sein.

Auch Deutschland hat Anfang des Jahres seine Pläne zur neuen GAP vorgelegt, doch der Beginn des Krieges in der Ukraine hat die Debatte neu aufleben lassen. Aufgrund der globalen Getreideknappheit hat die Kommission als Ausnahmeregelung erlaubt, die Umweltauflagen zu lockern. Das bedeutet, es ist den Mitgliedstaaten selbst überlassen, ob sie die Möglichkeit annehmen.

Landwirtschaftsminister Cem Özdemir hat auf eine Anpassung der Reform zunächst kritisch reagiert. Mittlerweile ist es zu einem Kompromiss gekommen. Landwirt:innen dürfen im nächsten Jahr Getreide auf Brachflächen anbauen, Flächen, die ursprünglich zur Erhaltung von Biodiversität nicht bewirtschaftet werden sollten.

Ist die Ausnahmereglung der neuen GAP auf Kosten der Nachhaltigkeitsziele gerechtfertigt? Wie sollte sich der deutsche Landwirtschaftsektor in Zeiten dieser globalen Ernährungskrise positionieren?

Diese und weitere Fragen werden in EURACTIVs virtuellen Stakeholder Workshop diskutiert. Das Event findet im Rahmen des Projektes DG AGRI statt.

Hardly a day goes by in Brussels without a reference being made to Europe’s digital sovereignty, although interpretations of this concept tend to vary. At the same time, Europe finds itself in the midst of a geopolitical world where security, economic stability, and the protection of democratic values are increasingly dependent upon cooperation among democratic states.

Against this background, the EU started the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in June 2021, which aims to deepen transatlantic cooperation, particularly in trade, investment and digital matters.

Some observers see deviations between on the one hand the TTC ambitions and some of the EU’s sovereignty-inspired regulatory proposals in the EU, such as the EUCS draft on cybersecurity, or the EU’s Standardisation Strategy. Aligning Europe’s digital sovereignty with its transatlantic agenda will be key to achieve Europe’s digital ambitions.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to learn how Europe can foster its digital growth while embracing international co-operation.

As part of the European Green Deal, the EU has set itself a binding target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. In light of this, the EU is working to achieve the ambitious goal of transforming its energy sector into a system based on renewables and low-emission energy sources.

This transformation means a complete reform, not only in how energy is produced in the EU but also in how it is used by consumers. 'Nobody should be left behind' is a phrase often quoted when discussing the energy transition.

Achieving climate neutrality is a great challenge for both the European Union as a whole and individual Member States. Some industry stakeholders express views that the cost is not just economic, but also social, as energy poverty is on the rise. They also say that when designing ambitious goals, EU institutions should take into account the economic and social circumstances of different Member States as well as the current geopolitical situation.

The European energy sector is at a crossroads. Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to discuss its future. Discussed questions included:

How do we ensure that the 2030 and 2050 targets can be achieved in light of the recent geopolitical developments?
With most Europeans facing a winter of sharp price increases, how can energy poverty be addressed?
What are the necessary technologies needed to ensure an efficient energy transformation? And at what cost?
What has already been done to help climate change mitigation?
What approaches are taken by different Member States to reach climate neutrality?
What are the challenges and costs related to the energy transformation?

District heating supplies millions of homes in cities across Europe, representing about 10% of heat supply in the EU. However, most of that runs on fossil fuels, mainly natural gas and coal.

According to a study carried out by the European Commission, district heating and cooling (DHC) is one of the main infrastructures allowing decarbonisation by integrating renewable and carbon neutral energy sources and technologies, and participating in energy system integration.

Acknowledging the potential system benefits of a higher deployment of efficient DHC, the Renewable Energy Directive and its recast, the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive all include explicit and implicit provisions and implications on the future use and extension of district heating and cooling.

However, the war in Ukraine and its geopolitical implications have shifted the economic fundamentals behind the choice of fuel supplying district heating networks. Before the invasion, some eastern EU countries had made plans to switch their district heating systems to fossil gas, as this was seen as a cost-effective way of meeting the climate goals of EU’s “Fit for 55”. But with the sharp increases in gas prices, these plans are being re-evaluated.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out about the future of district heating in the European Union, in light of the war in Ukraine. How can the EU ensure that the ongoing recast of relevant regulatory frameworks introduces realistic targets for the decarbonisation of district heating? And how much time and investment do industry stakeholders need to adapt to the new geopolitical realities?

District heating supplies millions of homes in cities across Europe, representing about 10% of heat supply in the EU. However, most of that runs on fossil fuels, mainly natural gas and coal.

According to a study carried out by the European Commission, district heating and cooling (DHC) is one of the main infrastructures allowing decarbonisation by integrating renewable and carbon neutral energy sources and technologies, and participating in energy system integration.

Acknowledging the potential system benefits of a higher deployment of efficient DHC, the Renewable Energy Directive and its recast, the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive all include explicit and implicit provisions and implications on the future use and extension of district heating and cooling.

However, the war in Ukraine and its geopolitical implications have shifted the economic fundamentals behind the choice of fuel supplying district heating networks. Before the invasion, some eastern EU countries had made plans to switch their district heating systems to fossil gas, as this was seen as a cost-effective way of meeting the climate goals of EU’s “Fit for 55”. But with the sharp increases in gas prices, these plans are being re-evaluated.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out about the future of district heating in the European Union, in light of the war in Ukraine. How can the EU ensure that the ongoing recast of relevant regulatory frameworks introduces realistic targets for the decarbonisation of district heating? And how much time and investment do industry stakeholders need to adapt to the new geopolitical realities?

The Data Act, presented in 2022, is a legislative proposal that intends to complement the Commission’s data strategy. The proposed law aims to regulate access conditions for data produced by the Internet of Things (IoT) devices, requiring manufacturers to provide access and introducing the right for device users to access and port their data. Furthermore, it lays down the right to share data with third parties. Overall, the proposal defines who can use what data and under what conditions.

Unlocking industrial data is a great challenge for the EU as 80% of it remains unused. With this new legislative proposal, the Commission wants to unlock the potential data-sharing offers to businesses, consumers or public services and boost innovation by using the potential of data as a non-rival good.

However, there are not only opportunities, but also risks associated with the Data Act as proposed by the European Commission. In particular for manufacturing SMEs, the mandatory data sharing might have also negative impacts, for example by exposing trade secrets, creating too many obligations for product design and undermining data-based business models.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out how to ensure fair and balanced rules for data-sharing in the framework of the EU Data Act.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the global energy market disruption has caused a sharp increase in EU energy prices. This is seen in European countries that were particularly reliant on Russian gas supply for residential heating and industrial production.

In the run-up to winter, the European Commission is working on its newly released REPowerEU strategy. While Member States plan for a shortfall in gas during the colder months, the industrial sector is already reviewing which supplies will be available throughout the coming winter.

Industrial processes requiring fossil gas, especially for heating and cooling, could experience increasing supply issues as provision of gas to the power sector or private households is prioritised. According to new data gathered by the energy and climate consultancy “Climact”, there is potential for reducing fossil gas consumption in many industrial processes, such as low and medium heat provision.

The study shows that European industry has the possibility to cut its natural gas demand by 25% with short-term opportunities of electrifying certain gas processes and long-term measures. Climact estimates that the overall gas demand can be reduced by electrifying many of the current processes. The research sees potential for sectors such as food and drink, glass manufacturing and chemicals to evolve by electrifying the majority of their processes and a move beyond fossil gas.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out how some industry sectors can move from fossil gas to electrification. How long would it take, and at what cost? How can such a change be incentivised? What would the cost benefits be? And how would the demand for the power needed to supply this large scale electrification be met?

A EURACTIV event organised with the support of the European Climate Foundation, who cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained or expressed therein.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the global energy market disruption has caused a sharp increase in EU energy prices. This is seen in European countries that were particularly reliant on Russian gas supply for residential heating and industrial production.

In the run-up to winter, the European Commission is working on its newly released REPowerEU strategy. While Member States plan for a shortfall in gas during the colder months, the industrial sector is already reviewing which supplies will be available throughout the coming winter.

Industrial processes requiring fossil gas, especially for heating and cooling, could experience increasing supply issues as provision of gas to the power sector or private households is prioritised. According to new data gathered by the energy and climate consultancy “Climact”, there is potential for reducing fossil gas consumption in many industrial processes, such as low and medium heat provision.

The study shows that European industry has the possibility to cut its natural gas demand by 25% with short-term opportunities of electrifying certain gas processes and long-term measures. Climact estimates that the overall gas demand can be reduced by electrifying many of the current processes. The research sees potential for sectors such as food and drink, glass manufacturing and chemicals to evolve by electrifying the majority of their processes and a move beyond fossil gas.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out how some industry sectors can move from fossil gas to electrification. How long would it take, and at what cost? How can such a change be incentivised? What would the cost benefits be? And how would the demand for the power needed to supply this large scale electrification be met?

A EURACTIV event organised with the support of the European Climate Foundation, who cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained or expressed therein.

In a healthy and thriving democracy, citizens should be able to freely express their views, choose their political leaders, and have a say about their future. Democracy in the EU faces challenges from rising extremism, election interference, the spread of manipulative information, and threats against journalists. The European Democracy Action Plan is designed to empower citizens and build more resilient democracies across the EU by promoting free and fair elections, strengthening media freedom, and countering disinformation.

When presenting the plan in December 2020, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “With the digital revolution under way, citizens must be able to make choices where views can be expressed freely. Facts have to be distinguished from fiction, and free media and civil society must be able to participate in an open debate, free from malign interference. Therefore the EU is taking action to make our democracies in the EU more resilient.”

These measures will be implemented throughout this Commission’s mandate. In 2023, a year ahead of the next European elections, the Commission will review the implementation of the action plan.

Technology is widely perceived as having both positive and negative impacts on democracy. Technology has the power to protect and promote democratic institutions and values rather than undermine them. For technology companies to have a positive impact, industry must reflect on its roles and obligations to democratic societies above and beyond the letter of the law.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out about the direction of European democracy and the role for tech and the private sector in preserving and advancing democratic norms.

-How can the tech industry and the private sector best align with the European agenda to counter disinformation and empower citizens to make informed decisions?
-What more does the private sector need to do proactively to achieve the aims of the EDAP?
-What new obligations should and will exist as a result of the EDAP?

Two years into the European Commission’s Digital Decade, the EU’s vision of pursuing a human-centric, sustainable vision for a digital society, the connectivity target of “Gigabit for everyone, 5G everywhere” has never felt more urgent. Mobile networks are vital to economic recovery and future crisis resilience and can support a green and digital transformation across Europe. As economies and societies around the world digitalise, the acceleration of 5G in Europe is essential to maintain and amplify Europe’s industrial and manufacturing strengths.

Industry stakeholders claim that the current regulatory environment is creating an investment gap, stifling innovation, and that market conditions in Europe mean investment capital for telecom operators is hard to come by. As a result, they say that over the past decade, Europe has invested 40% less per capita in its telecom networks than the US. The industry also argues that regulatory interventions and resistance to consolidation artificially distort competition, leading to poorer service and outcomes for consumers and businesses.

The right conditions for private infrastructure investment, network modernisation, and digital innovation are needed for accelerating Europe’s digital future. A financially sustainable mobile sector is key to the delivery of innovative services and the deployment of new networks. 5G has the potential to deliver a significant amount of value to the region if the mobile sector and policymakers find the right regulatory balance.

Relisten to this EURACTIV event to find out where the EU is on 5G development and how Europe’s digital competitiveness compares to other regions. Addressed questions included:

How can policymakers ensure that national and EU level regulations are in line with the Digital Decade targets?
What policies could drive economic growth and social welfare when it comes to 5G connectivity in Europe?
How can the upcoming Connectivity Infrastructure Act facilitate full 5G coverage in the EU?

First announced by President von der Leyen in her State of the Union Address in September 2021, the European Commission is expected to unveil, in September 2022, a Cyber Resilience Act that aims to establish common cybersecurity rules for digital products and associated services such as software that are placed on the European single market.

Although Internet of Things (IoT) products create a wide range of opportunities by connecting people, information, and places, they also increase the risk of cybersecurity incidents affecting entire systems. Indeed, the infinite number of heterogeneous digital connected products, each with their own vulnerabilities, expand the potential attack surface and leave users open to theft of sensitive data and malfunctioning networks, if not worse, as large scale cyberattacks on European critical infrastructure has shown in the past months.

Under a common legal framework requiring digital products to be designed and operated more securely, with duty of care at the heart of their development, the aim is to enhance the security of the entire cyber ecosystem, from consumer to critical industrial infrastructures, while strengthening the functioning of the internal market.

However, « a common approach » remains difficult to define as stakeholders are opposed to the definition of a one-size-fits-all solution that will not achieve the objectives of the text. How can the risk associated with a device be categorised, especially when it is used in contexts as various as home or public entities, and sometimes, used in unforeseen ways? To what extent should the cybersecurity of these devices be assessed? Who should carry out the assessment in order to achieve the highest security level? And how can all stakeholders participate in the reinforcement of the secure cyber framework worldwide?

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to explore the different options to reinforce the cybersecurity of connected devices and discuss how we can ensure that all digital products are safe and secure in a way that protects end-users, industry, and public entities.

In July, the European Commission tabled a proposal for the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (REDII), with the overall objective of achieving an increase in the use of energy from renewable sources by 2030, to foster better energy system integration and to contribute to climate and environmental objectives. The proposal sets a framework for the deployment of renewable energy sources across all sectors of the economy with a particular focus on sectors where progress has been slow. Among those sectors is transport.

In the context of transport, advanced biofuels have been identified in the REDII as one of the key solutions for the deployment of renewable energy sources as their role can be increased to support the reduction of emissions in all transport modes, from road to maritime and aviation.

According to the biofuels industry, to achieve these goals ambitious mandates are needed to trigger investments in production installations. Regulation is also considered important, as it can play a critical role in creating the appropriate framework conditions for investments. For them, the recent discussion on raising Europe’s energy security underlines the importance of having non-fossil energy production in our own hands.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to learn about the role of low-carbon liquid fuels and especially advanced biofuels in the energy transition. Discussed questions included:

How can the EU’s energy independence be increased at affordable prices while reducing fossil consumption and at the same time accelerating climate change mitigation efforts? How can this be done especially in the transport sector?
How can the sustainable potential of domestic feedstock for advanced biofuels be increased?
How can sustainability be ensured at every step of the value chain?
What kind of regulatory framework is needed to boost green growth investments?

Citizens’ participation remains a great challenge to democracies across Europe, especially given the rise of populism and voter disillusionment in recent years. Hence, many cities have developed new tools to boost citizen engagement, such as 'participatory budgeting'.

Participatory budgeting aims to involve citizens in decision-making around the uses of municipal budgets. It is a process whereby local authorities give residents the opportunity to voice their opinions and propose ideas about the allocation of funds within their cities. The tool aims to bring democracy closer to citizens, helping them become actors of change.

However, critics argue that although participatory budgeting across Europe has boosted civic engagement, it has not yet brought much diversity nor a wider range of views to the pool of participants. A major challenge lies in ensuring maximum inclusivity and encouraging all citizens to engage in local political processes.

In the context of the H2020 project DEMOTEC, relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to learn about the opportunities and challenges participatory budgeting offers to strengthen democracy in European cities. Discussed questions included:

Can projects like DEMOTEC make a material difference in encouraging citizen participation?
How to help local authorities develop participatory budgeting?
How can the pool of participants be expanded so that a wide range of views is represented?
What can be done on a European level to support these local initiatives?

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement no 962553.
This website reflects only the author’s view and the Research Executive Agency or European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to new geopolitical and energy market realities. It required the EU to dramatically accelerate its clean energy transition while also looking for solutions to increase its energy independence.

In response to these hardships, the European Commission presented the REPowerEU Plan. The plan aims to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels, fast forward the green transition, and increase the resilience of the EU-wide energy system. The watchwords are diversifying, saving, and accelerating clean energy

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference where stakeholders discussed the policy tools that can strengthen EU security of supply. Addressed questions included:

How can gas supplies be secured in the most efficient and sustainable way, while at the same time ensuring the protection of EU citizens and industries? Is a holistic approach achievable?
What is the role of gas infrastructure? Can gas infrastructure operators connect Europe to the global market?
What solutions exist to transport and store renewables and low-carbon molecules over long distances with the existing and future LNG, underground storage and transmission facilities?

Advancing Europe's strategic autonomy is a key objective of the European Commission - particularly with regards to the digital domain.

The COVID pandemic has demonstrated the need to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more digital and more resilient economic and industrial model in order to maintain and strengthen Europe's aspirations for sustainable competitiveness.

Under the French Presidency the EU passed a groundbreaking piece of legislation - the Digital Markets Act. It will limit the power of gatekeeping platforms and aims to keep digital markets fair and open to competition - a prerequisite for sovereignty. Paris also supported the Commission’s plans to create trusted alternatives to non-EU offerings, by developing a European cloud ecosystem and proposing a European Digital Identity. With the new chip act, Commissioner Breton wants to reduce dependencies in the semiconductor sector, as the race for the most advanced chips is a race for technological and industrial leadership.

These are important steps, but many stakeholders are looking for more under the Czech presidency. Europe is still largely dependent on non-European companies for most of its digital life. Although the New Data Act is supposed to help the European data economy flourish, much of the industrial data generated in Europe is so far stored and processed by cloud providers abroad, and user-driven innovation comes mainly from outside the EU. To thrive economically, Europe must regain more autonomy over data and digital technology.

What other policy instruments are appropriate to strengthen European competitiveness at a time when the number of global challenges is steadily increasing? How can the Czech Presidency help realise the full potential of Digital to advance the Green transition? And how can we make sure that all actors who benefit from reliable highspeed connectivity fairly contribute to the investment in digital infrastructure, as required by ambitious connectivity targets set out by the Digital Decade 2030?

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out about the results of the French Presidency's digital priorities and the challenges the Czech Presidency faces in advancing Europe’s green and digital transformation.

Recently, the agrifood sector has faced unprecedented challenges due to global warming, the Covid-19 crisis, and the war in Ukraine. Since the start of the war, calls to strengthen food security have dramatically increased across Europe.

The conflict has exacerbated surges in agricultural prices, jeopardising the ability of more vulnerable countries to import the required quantity of food. At a European level, EU officials declared that despite the consequences of the war on the agrifood sector, food security is not at risk in the bloc.

However, as we cannot predict how the situation will evolve in the near future, EU Member States are encouraged to increase their food production in order to address food security concerns. To cope with this crisis, the European Commission has asked Member States to adjust their CAP national strategic plans in consideration of the evolving geopolitical context.

In parallel, many argue that it's necessary to keep in mind the EU Green Deal and F2F objectives, and to build a stable and sustainable food system. It will therefore be a big challenge for the new CAP to ensure food security whilst also achieving the ambitions outlined in the EU Green Deal.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out about the challenges faced by the new CAP in achieving food security and Green Deal ambitions. Discussed questions included:
- How can the EU help its Member States to ensure food security in a sustainable manner?
- Which concrete measures should be taken in their CAP national strategic plans?
- How to encourage Member States to achieve EU Green Deal objectives in the current geopolitical context?

The content of this publication represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The European Commission does not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.

Building bridges between citizens, organisations, EU institutions and European governments remains a fundamental challenge towards making European policymaking accessible and transparent for all citizens across Europe.

As stated in Article 10 of the Treaty on European Union, ‘open decision-making is carried out as closely as possible to the citizens’. Access to public information, also known as the ‘right to know’, is vital for a functioning democracy.

With the rise of disinformation these past years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is seen as a prominent tool that could help strengthen democracies, if properly implemented and regulated. By using data-based scrutiny, AI could help achieve more transparency in the EU, preventing disinformation as well as ensuring better access to quality information for citizens.

AI is increasingly being used in the media sector as an essential tool to improve the quality of its content and provide more accurate information to its audiences. Many believe that AI has big potential to shape the future of European media.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out how AI can contribute to achieving more transparency in the EU policymaking process. Addressed questions included:

Which tools can be used to help citizens access quality, trust-worthy information?
How can EU policy stakeholders encourage national and international media to inform citizens about EU policies?
What are the opportunities offered by AI to achieve these goals?

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is the second largest contributor to climate change after carbon dioxide. Reducing methane emissions is one of the main priority initiatives of the European Green Deal and essential for reaching 2030 climate targets and 2050 climate-neutrality goals. The EU is also one of the instigators of the Global Methane Pledge adopted at COP26 in Glasgow, which commits its signatories to 30% methane reductions by 2030 (compared to 2020 baseline).

Most of anthropogenic methane emissions come from the agriculture, energy and waste sectors. In the EU, the livestock sector is responsible for 53% of methane emissions. However, there are currently no legislative measures in place to drive reductions from that sector. The EU Methane Regulation, published in December 2021, focuses exclusively on energy.

Civil society voices have called for a renewed focus on tackling methane emissions from the livestock sector. Efforts to reduce methane emissions in the energy and waste sectors alone will not suffice to meet ambitious targets set by the European Green Deal and Global Methane Pledge. Measures available range from better regulation of large meat and dairy companies and technical measures to policies driving reductions in meat and dairy production and consumption.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out how the EU can tackle methane emissions in its livestock sector to help reach 2030 climate targets and commitments made under the Global Methane Pledge. Discussed questions included:
- How to improve the current legislative framework to tackle methane emissions in the livestock sector?
- How to encourage the sector to move towards more sustainable and low GHG food production?
- Which policy measures are likely to yield most methane reductions?
- How best to combine government policies, large company regulations, and individual lifestyle choices to produce the best results in reducing methane emissions?

In the framework of the EU-funded project Teachers4Europe, relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out how policy makers can support new and innovative citizenship education initiatives across Europe. Discussed questions included:

How to promote democratic awareness through education across the EU?
How to provide teachers with adequate learning tools to promote democratic culture?
What is the role of new digital technologies in achieving these goals

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the urgency of reducing the EU’s dependence on fossil fuels and supporting its energy and food independence. This effort will require mobilising an array of domestic resources.

Fit for 55 had already raised the stakes with major revamps of several laws affecting the EU biofuels sector – including the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), CO2 standards for cars, the revamp of the Effort Sharing Regulation and the Emissions Trading System with the possible inclusion of transport, and the Energy Taxation Directive.

Now, with the European Commission’s recent Communications on energy security and food security unveiled as a result of the war in Ukraine, those stakes are even higher.

This event, in the run-up to crucial European Parliament votes on Fit for 55 legislation, will answer key questions confronting the EU as it drives toward carbon neutrality, including: How can the EU scale up renewables in transport in order to meet its emissions-reductions goals? What role will low-carbon liquid fuels play in the transport energy mix? What will be the economic and societal impact of the EU’s climate proposals?

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out how the EU can maintain its commitment to achieving Fit for 55 climate and energy goals in an uncertain geopolitical situation. And what is the evolving role of low-carbon renewable fuels in achieving EU climate and energy goals and the policy steps required to ensure that Europe can meet its commitments for 2030 and beyond?

The UN Sustainable Development Goals, EU Green Deal, Paris Climate Agreement, and numerous national initiatives adopted by individual governments all reveal there is no dearth of fora and mechanisms to demonstrate the public interest and global political will to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. According to the recently published March 2022 BEREC draft report on sustainability in the connectivity sector, the digital sector’s impact is 2-4% compared to other industries.

Some industry stakeholders within the connectivity sector have gone beyond being content with these statistics. Many have already begun working towards tackling the energy intensive aspects of their operations and are currently prioritising sustainability. A number of operators have also announced their voluntary commitments to meeting ambitious goals by joining the European Green and Digital Coalition.

There is broad agreement that the ICT sector and digitalisation can have a favourable impact on international and regional climate targets, by enabling green and digital transitions. Companies in the connectivity sector claim they want to make responsible and sustainable investments. For them, one of the key challenges will be to balance their role as an enablers of green and digital transformations with operational resources required to implement their own sustainability efforts. Moreover, several of the EU’s Green Deal and Digital Decade 2030 targets require upgraded infrastructure and increased private investment.

Connectivity operators, within this consistently evolving sector, must contend with increased demand. They claim predictable and harmonised regulations will facilitate sustainable and responsible investments that also benefit consumers.

Relisten to this EURACTIV – GIGAEurope Digital Debate to find out how, through collective action and multi-stakeholder approaches, we can enable a green and digital transition that works for all. Discussed questions included:

-How does the current energy crisis, amplified by the current geopolitical situation, impact the Green Deal objectives and their implementation? How can green ICT contribute to a solution?
-What are the indices, metrics or KPIs that industry and stakeholders can agree to? How can industry, regulators, and policy makers reach a consensus on standardising data and methodologies?
-What should be taken into account when discussing the twin transition and the environmental footprint of the ICT sector?
-By what means should policy makers and stakeholders map sustainability-related actions in the sector and determine what should be counted towards these goals?

Deutschland ist eines der waldreichsten Länder in Europa. Wälder machen fast 30 % der Gesamtfläche aus und erbringen vielfältige ökologische und wirtschaftliche Leistungen. Die Zukunft von Wäldern in Deutschland bleibt jedoch ungewiss - Aspekte wie Forstwirtschaft, Artenschutz und Klimaneutralität sorgen für Uneinigkeit in der nationalen Politik.

Die Waldstrategie 2050 wurde von Deutschlands vorherigen Ministerin für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, Julia Klöckner, ins Leben gerufen. Ein großes Ziel besteht darin, Wälder an ihre klimatischen Bedingungen anzupassen, um so der Klimakrise entgegenzuwirken. Doch es gibt auch Kritik, vor allem im Punkt der Holzerzeugung. Während sich Klöckner in der Strategie weiter für die Nutzung von Holz als Baumaterial ausspricht, fordern viele die Senkung von wirtschaftlichen Interessen im Wald.

Mit den Bundestagswahlen 2021 hat sich der politische Fokus in
Deutschland verschoben. Die neue Regierung will die Klimapolitik verschärfen, zum Beispiel durch die Weiterentwicklung des Klimaschutzgesetzes. Cem Özdemir, derzeitiger Bundesminister für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, hebt die Bedeutsamkeit von Umweltschutz und Artenvielfalt vor.

Waldpolitik ist ein essentieller Teil der Klimapolitik. Bedarf es also einer Erneuerung der Waldstrategie durch die Ampelkoalition?

Im Rahmen des Life Terra Projektes hat EURACTIV einem
virtuellen Stakeholder-Workshop organisiert, um Kritikpunkte und Chancen der Waldstrategie 2050 zu diskutieren.

Der Inhalt dieser Konferenz gibt ausschließlich die Meinung des Autors/der Autorin wieder, der/die allein für den Inhalt verantwortlich ist. Die Europäische Kommission haftet nicht für die etwaige Verwendung der darin enthaltenen Informationen.

Renovating both public and private buildings has been singled out in the European Green Deal as a key initiative to drive energy efficiency in the sector. To pursue this dual ambition of energy gains and economic growth, in 2020 the Commission published the strategy "A Renovation Wave for Europe – Greening our buildings, creating jobs, improving lives".

This strategy comes at a moment when the EU is facing several challenges. First of all, there is the climate emergency. Buildings, currently making up 36% of EU’s energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, are an important sector to be decarbonised to ensure the EU reaches its legally binding target to cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

Then, there is a social crisis. Energy poverty is on the rise in Europe. Data from the Energy Poverty Advisory Hub indicates that the number of energy-poor citizens in the EU is between 50 and 125 million. These citizens find themselves struggling to pay their bills due to soaring gas prices, with lowest-income households hit the hardest. These social disparities are also reflected in health inequalities, with housing conditions being an important environmental determinant of health.

Furthermore, Europe has plunged into an energy security crisis. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European leaders have committed to cut their reliance on Russian fossil fuels, which Europe largely depends on, including for heating homes. However, replacing the Russian supply with fossil fuels — instead of renewables and energy efficiency measures — could derail climate action and promote volatile gas prices.

A recently published study by the Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy claims that, if well-designed, the EU Renovation Wave has the potential to cut low-income households’ energy costs by a third and increase their disposable income with home renovation and a switch to clean heating. It suggests that policies to boost home renovation and the uptake of renewable heating could deliver a fairer society and alleviate energy poverty, ensuring that the most vulnerable have access to clean, affordable energy and live in energy-efficient homes.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out how a socially just EU Renovation Wave can be achieved. How can a massive renovation of buildings be triggered in the coming decade while ensuring that energy poverty is eradicated?

Buildings are one of the largest sources of energy consumption as they account for 40% of the EU’s final energy consumption and 36% of its greenhouse gas emissions. Boosting their energy performance and moving to low-carbon forms of energy is crucial as it would reduce emissions, tackle energy poverty, support the economic recovery after the Covid-19 crisis, and create new job opportunities across the EU.

The recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is an essential element in completing the objectives of the Fit for 55 package. The new EPBD emphasises the need to modernise the EU building stock by increasing the rate and depth of buildings’ renovations, improving information on energy performance and sustainability of buildings, as well as ensuring that all buildings will be in line with the 2050 climate neutrality requirements. Consequently, the EPBD will also be instrumental to implementing the REPowerEU plan, whose objective is to faster reduce the EU’s dependence on fossil fuels.

The electrification of heating and cooling in buildings will play a major role on the road to decarbonisation, as it will facilitate the switch from fossil fuel boilers to more sustainable electric solutions. The EPBD revision also stresses the need to develop e-mobility by implementing recharging points in buildings to support smart charging for electric vehicles.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out what can be done to improve the existing regulatory framework to support an effective decarbonisation process in the building sector. Discussed questions included:

How the EPBD proposal could best contribute to the decarbonisation of the building sector?
What are the technical challenges and solutions to electrifying the EU's building stock?
What renovations in buildings can contribute to sustainable mobility?
How to increase users’ awareness of their housing’s carbon footprint and of the low-carbon solutions that are available?

The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) revision plays a central role in the overall Fit For 55 package and is an important contributor to unlocking ambitious environmental, societal and financial benefits.

It is also an opportunity to integrate a multiple benefits approach, rather than primarily focusing on energy.

To create a sustainable, future-proof and energy-efficient building stock, we need to put people at the centre. Typically, we spend around 90% of our time indoors, so bettering the conditions of our indoor climate – and thus our health and well-being - is an important driver for renovation, alongside improving energy efficiency, mitigating climate change, and reducing the energy bill and dependence.

The EPBD proposal goes further than energy performance requirements by introducing carbon emission reduction targets, and putting more emphasis on multiple benefits of energy efficiency, including improving indoor environmental quality and reducing energy poverty.

It also introduces new building tools to boost renovation rates, supports the digitalisation of energy systems for buildings, and facilitates more targeted financing to investments in the building sector.

How can we best ensure these new, holistic approaches to energy efficiency and the EBPD are properly accounted for and factored into the final directive and the new tools - EPCs, Renovation Passports, MEPs – it proposes?

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out how the revision of the EPBD can support a healthy indoor climate while accelerating a decrease of energy costs and decarbonising our buildings. Discussed questions included:

What's the current state of buildings in the EU and how can the EPBD help achieve a faster transition towards sustainable and healthy buildings?
What will be the costs and economic/societal benefits of such a building transition?
What data and definitions are we lacking to properly account for the impact of multiple benefits?
How can we ensure energy efficient, decarbonised and healthy buildings?
What lessons has the COVID-19 pandemic taught us when it comes to buildings? How can good ventilation in buildings contribute?

The European Commission has recently adopted a proposal for a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence, which aims to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behaviour throughout global value chains. Companies are at the heart of the proposal and they will be required to identify and, where necessary, prevent, end or mitigate adverse impacts of their activities on human rights and on the environment. A number of Member States have already introduced national rules on due diligence and some companies have taken measures at their own initiative.

The due diligence regulation is very important for industries, especially the ones that largely depend on the import of critical raw materials, such as battery manufacturing. On 17 March, the European Council adopted a so-called “general approach” to the batteries regulation, following a proposal tabled by the European Commission in December 2020. The regulation aims to set up a circular economy sector by targeting all stages of the life cycle of batteries, including responsible sourcing. The Council and Parliament will now start trilogue negotiations with a view to progressing towards an agreement.

Some industry stakeholders argue that policymakers should seek a coherent and consistent approach on sustainability and due diligence throughout EU legislation, as choosing specific approaches for different legislative pieces could lead to inconsistencies and confusion. Moreover, they stress the importance of industry-led schemes aligned with standards recognised by independent third parties, such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and approved by the International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling Alliance (ISEAL Alliance), as they are tailored to the specific characteristics of specific industries. Another point brought forward by the industry is the importance of having realistic time-frames for action.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out about responsible sourcing and due diligence. How can companies best develop tools and standards that fit the upcoming European legislation? And how can the European Commission ensure there is a coherent approach for all actors involved?

The EU's Single Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) introduces a 90% collection target for beverage PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles by 2029 and also mandates that they should contain at least 25% recycled plastic by 2025, and 30% by 2030. To meet EU food safety and quality standards, PET bottles must be of food-grade quality. Effective bottle-to-bottle recycling is therefore a prerequisite to ensure that the targets laid down in the EU SUPD are met.

However, the versatility of PET bottles brings high demand from a variety of industries. An increasing number of non-food industries are using PET materials in their products. Some analysts claim this leaves the beverage industry with unfair competition and difficulty in delivering EU Green Deal objectives to increase resource efficiency and accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

The beverage industry is thus calling on the European Commission to introduce a "right of first refusal mechanism" on recycled PET in the revision of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD). They argue that such preferential access to recycled PET that the industry puts on the market, and of which it finances the collection, will accelerate its transition to a more circular economy.

The industry is also calling on the Commission to adopt minimum requirements for new Deposit Refund Systems (DRS) in the revised PPWD. Deposit Refund Systems are collection schemes whereby consumers pay a small amount of money (a deposit fee) for their packaging at the point of purchase and are reimbursed upon the return of the empty packaging to specific collection points.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out what’s the best recipe for meeting circular economy and climate objectives and whether DRS are an efficient way to meet collection and recycling targets for EU natural mineral and spring water producers set in the EU’s Single Use Plastics Directive. Discussed questions included:

Can PET bottles be prevented from being downcycled?
What are the challenges in making Deposit Refund Systems effective?
Can a “right of first refusal mechanism” be delivered in the revision of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive?
Can beverage manufacturers be given back the same amount of recycled content that they bring on the market?

Food supplements are concentrated sources of nutrients (or other substances) with a nutritional or physiological effect. They are typically taken in “dose” form, such as pills, tablets, capsules, liquids in measured doses.

The European Commission's Food Supplements Directive of 2002 aims to protect consumers against potential health risks from food supplements products and to ensure that they are not provided with misleading information. It also establishes a core framework for the marketing of supplements in the EU. With respect to the safety of food supplements, the Directive lays down a harmonised list of vitamins and minerals that may be added for nutritional purposes in food supplements.

Over the past 20 years, the market in supplements has developed significantly and there has been a much greater recognition by consumers. In addition to the 2002 framework, a wide range of EU food legislation is in place which covers food supplements. This includes additives, contaminants, labelling, hygiene claims.

The European Commission is also working on two areas that are not currently harmonised at the EU level: the maximum levels of permitted vitamins and minerals in food supplements, and the use of botanical ingredients.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out what a potential policy framework for supplements could look like, given the regulatory environment is broadly in place. Addressed questions included:

How can supplements play a role in helping build more resilient societies and reduce the burden on national health systems?
Since deficiencies in a range of vitamins and minerals still exist in the EU, can supplements help redress this imbalance?
Can food supplements help governments achieve their objective of keeping an ageing EU population healthy and productive?

In December 2021, the European Commission adopted a Communication on Sustainable Carbon Cycles, in which it identifies complementary solutions to CO2 emissions reductions to achieve the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050.

Indeed, to maintain the atmospheric concentration of CO2 at levels compatible with the objective of the Paris Agreement, solutions to capture carbon emissions directly from the atmosphere are needed. Some of these solutions include promoting carbon farming practices under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and standardising the monitoring, reporting and verification methodologies needed to provide a clear and reliable certification framework for carbon farming and carbon removals.

There are two types of carbon removal solutions: nature-based and industry-based ones. These involve different levels of maturity and market readiness and have different impacts on the involved stakeholders. Each solution has specific advantages and challenges that need to be addressed, contingent on its accessibility to users and complexity of implementation.

However, the challenge of setting a regulatory framework that would foster trust and mobilise potential parties remains. Independent measurement and verification are essential to ensure that carbon removals have been properly conducted and that the carbon is effectively and permanently removed from the atmosphere. Such verification not only ensures the most effective implementation of climate policies, but also helps eliminate false reporting and greenwashing.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out how we can ensure the validation of carbon removals in a way that satisfies consumers, industry and policymakers. How can we overcome the ongoing differences in the calculation of emissions and harmonise methodologies? And how can buyers, land managers, technological companies, investors, and policymakers agree on clear and common standards?

The price of European Union allowances in the EU Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) reached an all-time high this winter, with a record high close to 100 €/t of CO2 in February 2022. This surge in allowance price levels and volatility occurs in the context of a crisis in European energy markets, with a sharp increase in commodities prices, and in a context of uncertainty about the scope and the ambition of the ongoing reform of the EU ETS.

Last July, the Commission presented a legislative proposal which aims for emissions from the current EU ETS sectors to be reduced by 61% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels. To reach this target, the Commission proposes a steeper annual emissions reduction of 4.2%, following a one-off reduction of the overall emissions cap by 117 million allowances.

Under the EU ETS, regulated entities buy or receive emissions allowances, which they can trade with one another as needed. At the end of each year, regulated entities must surrender enough allowances to cover all of their emissions. If a regulated entity reduces its emissions, it can keep the “saved” allowances to cover its future needs or sell them to another installation that is short of allowances. A Market Stability Reserve, in place since 2019, stabilises the market by removing surplus allowances from it.

Recent market developments have raised questions regarding speculative trading, whether and to what extent the participation of financial players should be constrained, and if so, what would be the best mechanism to do so. More generally, it has revived the debate on the potential measures to stabilise EU allowances prices as Europe’s ambition to fast track the decarbonisation of its economy requires a strong and predictable carbon price signal.

According to industry stakeholders, allowance price instability and lack of predictability could have significant short- and long-term consequences on the EU policy objective of fast-tracking decarbonisation, including higher compliance costs for obligated entities and higher decarbonisation costs. They underline the need for a review and potential regulation on the role of financial trading in the EU ETS market, as well as the need to address some of the structural issues that induce price instability.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out about the possible impacts of excessive speculation on the functioning of the EU ETS market. What measures could be taken to mitigate the risk of excessive speculation, and more broadly to stabilise allowances prices and improve the EU ETS market functioning?

The EU’s proposed carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) was adopted by the European Commission in July 2021 to complement the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions cost-effectively in line with the Fit for 55 objectives. Products from the following sectors will be impacted: cement, aluminium, fertiliser, electricity, iron and steel.

CBAM aims to impose a CO2 charge on products entering the EU so that European industry can play on an equal footing with foreign manufacturers. According to the European Commission, the main objective of CBAM is to counteract the risk of carbon leakage, which will increase due to higher European carbon prices. In the long term, CBAM should gradually replace the free allowances distributed through the EU ETS. The issue of exports recently heated up at the European Council, where Member States agreed on the general approach on CBAM, leaving the exports issue for a later stage.

However, several European industries have expressed their concerns that the CBAM only levels the playing field for imports and that no solution has been proposed for exports leaving the EU. They also stress that there is a high risk that EU products would be replaced by more carbon-intensive products, which would be counterproductive. This leads them to call EU decision-makers to include an export mechanism in the CBAM Regulation.

Yet, as it stands today, they argue that CBAM would hinder the reach of European industry in global markets. The industry expects the EU to boost sustainable trade globally by facilitating the export of low carbon products. An example of this is the fertiliser sector, where trade flows follow the natural growing season of crops across the world. By providing nutrients for farmers to harvest high quality crops, the fertilizer sector contributes to food security in Europe and globally, while guaranteeing EU’s strategic autonomy.

In January this year, Kazakhstan experienced a series of large protests, sparked by the sudden increase of fuel prices, after the government had removed a previously enforced price cap.

The protestors first came out into the streets in the petroleum-producing city of Zhanaozen in western Kazakhstan but then spread rapidly across the country, first to other oil and mineral producing regions and then to other districts of Kazakhstan.

Protestors' demands and grievances varied widely. They included oil workers as well as liberal activists in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city. Young people throughout the country also joined in.

An array of related challenges were brought forward: inflation, inequality of opportunity, corruption, injustice, lack of benefits, fuel prices, low wages, and lack of labour bargaining power. According to Kazakh officials, peaceful demonstrations were hijacked by violent criminals.

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reacted by declaring a state of emergency and announced that the Collective Security Treaty Organization will step in to help the Kazakh forces to protect the strategic facilities. He also made radical changes to the country’s national security leadership. Former President Nazarbaev stepped down from the position of the chair of the National Security Council.

A few days after the protests swept across some city centres, the government declared that constitutional order had been mainly restored in all regions and promised ambitious economic reforms, aimed at reducing the state's deep involvement in the economy and bridging the gap between the wealthy minority and the majority of the population.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Debate to find out about the recent unrest that shook Kazakhstan and the way forward in building back better. Will the recent internal strife prompt real change? How will president Tokayev move forward? How will the demands and needs of protesters be addressed?

In January this year, Kazakhstan experienced a series of large protests, sparked by the sudden increase of fuel prices, after the government had removed a previously enforced price cap.

The protestors first came out into the streets in the petroleum-producing city of Zhanaozen in western Kazakhstan but then spread rapidly across the country, first to other oil and mineral producing regions and then to other districts of Kazakhstan.

Protestors' demands and grievances varied widely. They included oil workers as well as liberal activists in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city. Young people throughout the country also joined in.

An array of related challenges were brought forward: inflation, inequality of opportunity, corruption, injustice, lack of benefits, fuel prices, low wages, and lack of labour bargaining power. According to Kazakh officials, peaceful demonstrations were hijacked by violent criminals.

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reacted by declaring a state of emergency and announced that the Collective Security Treaty Organization will step in to help the Kazakh forces to protect the strategic facilities. He also made radical changes to the country’s national security leadership. Former President Nazarbaev stepped down from the position of the chair of the National Security Council.

A few days after the protests swept across some city centres, the government declared that constitutional order had been mainly restored in all regions and promised ambitious economic reforms, aimed at reducing the state's deep involvement in the economy and bridging the gap between the wealthy minority and the majority of the population.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Debate to find out about the recent unrest that shook Kazakhstan and the way forward in building back better. Will the recent internal strife prompt real change? How will president Tokayev move forward? How will the demands and needs of protesters be addressed?

The European Environment Agency estimates that long-term exposure to poor air quality is responsible for over 400,000 premature deaths in Europe every year. The worst air quality read-outs are reported during winter, when temperatures are very low and there is high demand for heat. In some countries, one of the causes of poor air quality is the employment of old and inefficient coal or wood-burning stoves used in households.

Very often, fuels of the poorest quality are used in old stoves. This results in the emission of significant amounts of dangerous substances such as PM2.5, PM10 and various chemical compounds. Moreover, the emissions are released from chimneys that are not very tall and located close to other residential buildings. The volume of these so-called “low-level emissions'' mean that they have a considerable impact on air quality.

A practical way to resolve the problem could be replacing old, inefficient household heat sources and encouraging the usage of good-quality fuels. Another solution, which might be even more effective in urbanised areas, is a district heating system that provides clean heat to numerous end users.

In its proposal for recasting the EU Directive on Energy Efficiency, the European Commission has put a particular emphasis on district heating and cooling, where the definition of “efficient” systems will gradually be tightened to move away from fossil fuel-based systems. In cogeneration, the aim is to introduce additional criteria for specific emissions in high-efficiency cogeneration (270 gCO2/kWh). District heating will be also influenced by the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

Some industry stakeholders have expressed concerns about the new definition of efficiency and they urge the Commission to keep current criteria for the share of high-efficiency cogeneration heat until 2030.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out about the link between pollution and district heating systems, and the impact that the proposal for the recast Energy Efficiency Directive plays in this regard.

The European Environment Agency estimates that long-term exposure to poor air quality is responsible for over 400,000 premature deaths in Europe every year. The worst air quality read-outs are reported during winter, when temperatures are very low and there is high demand for heat. In some countries, one of the causes of poor air quality is the employment of old and inefficient coal or wood-burning stoves used in households.

Very often, fuels of the poorest quality are used in old stoves. This results in the emission of significant amounts of dangerous substances such as PM2.5, PM10 and various chemical compounds. Moreover, the emissions are released from chimneys that are not very tall and located close to other residential buildings. The volume of these so-called “low-level emissions'' mean that they have a considerable impact on air quality.

A practical way to resolve the problem could be replacing old, inefficient household heat sources and encouraging the usage of good-quality fuels. Another solution, which might be even more effective in urbanised areas, is a district heating system that provides clean heat to numerous end users.

In its proposal for recasting the EU Directive on Energy Efficiency, the European Commission has put a particular emphasis on district heating and cooling, where the definition of “efficient” systems will gradually be tightened to move away from fossil fuel-based systems. In cogeneration, the aim is to introduce additional criteria for specific emissions in high-efficiency cogeneration (270 gCO2/kWh). District heating will be also influenced by the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

Some industry stakeholders have expressed concerns about the new definition of efficiency and they urge the Commission to keep current criteria for the share of high-efficiency cogeneration heat until 2030.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out about the link between pollution and district heating systems, and the impact that the proposal for the recast Energy Efficiency Directive plays in this regard.

The Digital Services Act (DSA) is the most significant update of Europe’s digital rules in over two decades. The European Commission sees the DSA as being a core plank of making Europe fit for the Digital Age. But what does this mean in practice, and does the DSA fit the bill?

According to the Commission, the new rules are proportionate, foster innovation, growth and competitiveness, and facilitate the scaling up of smaller platforms, SMEs and start-ups. The responsibilities of users, platforms, and public authorities are rebalanced according to European values, placing citizens at the centre.

The Digital Services Act includes rules for online intermediary services, which millions of Europeans use every day. The obligations of different online players match their role, size and impact in the online ecosystem.

The EU institutions are now entering the final phase of negotiations following an intense legislative process in the European Parliament which saw a number of new amendments proposed. These amendments covered a wide range of issues that will have significant implications for how we use and interact with online services for years to come.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Debate to find out about the DSA and its impact on Europe’s digital economy. Discussed questions included:

What will change for users of online services?
Will online marketplaces continue to function effectively with the proposed KYBC and product requirements?
How will ‘user redress’ work?
What effect will content moderation requirements have on user content?
Can the data protection and data access requirements operate in parallel?
What will digital advertising look like?

The Digital Services Act (DSA) is the most significant update of Europe’s digital rules in over two decades. The European Commission sees the DSA as being a core plank of making Europe fit for the Digital Age. But what does this mean in practice, and does the DSA fit the bill?

According to the Commission, the new rules are proportionate, foster innovation, growth and competitiveness, and facilitate the scaling up of smaller platforms, SMEs and start-ups. The responsibilities of users, platforms, and public authorities are rebalanced according to European values, placing citizens at the centre.

The Digital Services Act includes rules for online intermediary services, which millions of Europeans use every day. The obligations of different online players match their role, size and impact in the online ecosystem.

The EU institutions are now entering the final phase of negotiations following an intense legislative process in the European Parliament which saw a number of new amendments proposed. These amendments covered a wide range of issues that will have significant implications for how we use and interact with online services for years to come.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Debate to find out about the DSA and its impact on Europe’s digital economy. Discussed questions included:

What will change for users of online services?
Will online marketplaces continue to function effectively with the proposed KYBC and product requirements?
How will ‘user redress’ work?
What effect will content moderation requirements have on user content?
Can the data protection and data access requirements operate in parallel?
What will digital advertising look like?

Last summer, the European Commission published a proposal for recasting the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), aimed at further stimulating EU efforts to promote energy efficiency and progress towards achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

Heating and cooling play a significant role in the Union’s ambition to transition to a clean and carbon-neutral economy. In the EED, a particular focus is put on district heating and cooling, where the definition of efficient systems will gradually be tightened to move away from fossil fuel-based systems. In cogeneration, the aim is to introduce additional criteria for specific emissions in high-efficiency cogeneration (270 gCO2/kWh).

These proposed measures in the recast EED should be seen alongside the new targets proposed in the revised Renewable Energy proposal for including renewables in heating and cooling (at least 1.1%) and for district heating and cooling (2.1%), which aim to ensure wider use of renewables and waste heat in such systems.

The energy industry expressed some concerns for the new definition of "efficient systems" and its impact on district heating systems, especially those based on natural gas high-efficiency cogeneration. They claim that for existing efficient district heating systems, an adequate transition period should be introduced to adapt to the new requirements, in order to avoid these systems from suddenly losing their status.

District heating is not the same across the Union, since it largely depends on regional and local conditions and is therefore mostly used in the EU’s coldest countries. During the open public consultation carried out by the European Commission, several energy industry stakeholders expressed their concerns that the current goals of increasing the share of renewables can be seen as a challenge for Member States that have decided to develop heating systems as an effective way of ensuring heat supply while at the same time reducing the emissions of district heat by replacing coal with other fuels like natural gas.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss the new definition of efficient district heating systems in the EED proposal, and how stakeholders can best cooperate to achieve cost-effective decarbonisation.

Last summer, the European Commission published a proposal for recasting the EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), aimed at further stimulating EU efforts to promote energy efficiency and progress towards achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

Heating and cooling play a significant role in the Union’s ambition to transition to a clean and carbon-neutral economy. In the EED, a particular focus is put on district heating and cooling, where the definition of efficient systems will gradually be tightened to move away from fossil fuel-based systems. In cogeneration, the aim is to introduce additional criteria for specific emissions in high-efficiency cogeneration (270 gCO2/kWh).

These proposed measures in the recast EED should be seen alongside the new targets proposed in the revised Renewable Energy proposal for including renewables in heating and cooling (at least 1.1%) and for district heating and cooling (2.1%), which aim to ensure wider use of renewables and waste heat in such systems.

The energy industry expressed some concerns for the new definition of "efficient systems" and its impact on district heating systems, especially those based on natural gas high-efficiency cogeneration. They claim that for existing efficient district heating systems, an adequate transition period should be introduced to adapt to the new requirements, in order to avoid these systems from suddenly losing their status.

District heating is not the same across the Union, since it largely depends on regional and local conditions and is therefore mostly used in the EU’s coldest countries. During the open public consultation carried out by the European Commission, several energy industry stakeholders expressed their concerns that the current goals of increasing the share of renewables can be seen as a challenge for Member States that have decided to develop heating systems as an effective way of ensuring heat supply while at the same time reducing the emissions of district heat by replacing coal with other fuels like natural gas.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss the new definition of efficient district heating systems in the EED proposal, and how stakeholders can best cooperate to achieve cost-effective decarbonisation.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out how long it will take until autonomous vehicles become the norm, and what is delaying progress. Discussed questions included:

Can the existing infrastructure be adapted to accommodate autonomous vehicles?
What are the most efficient technologies that can be deployed in a sustainable and ethical manner for making autonomous driving an everyday reality?
Is there harmonisation of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) across Europe, such as data standardisation and the extension of digital infrastructure, to ensure a seamless service for road users and to prepare for autonomous vehicles?
Are users aware of, and ready for, the challenges, like roads with mixed driver and driverless traffic?

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out how long it will take until autonomous vehicles become the norm, and what is delaying progress. Discussed questions included:

Can the existing infrastructure be adapted to accommodate autonomous vehicles?
What are the most efficient technologies that can be deployed in a sustainable and ethical manner for making autonomous driving an everyday reality?
Is there harmonisation of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) across Europe, such as data standardisation and the extension of digital infrastructure, to ensure a seamless service for road users and to prepare for autonomous vehicles?
Are users aware of, and ready for, the challenges, like roads with mixed driver and driverless traffic?

Illicit trade is a growing threat in an increasing digital and globalised economy. The World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that over US$2.2 trillion (3% of global GDP) has been lost due to illicit trade leakages in 2020 alone. Additionally, according to the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade, imports of counterfeit and pirated goods are worth nearly $500 billion a year.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, illicit activities have increased across different sectors such as pharmaceuticals, tobacco, alcohol, PPE products, home and personal sanitising products, luxury goods, beauty and personal care products. Supply and demand disruptions, restricted travel and international border closures have forced criminals to adapt their networks. One of the most noticeable changes has been the shift to an online environment. In fact, law enforcement officials have reported that EU e-commerce has been a predominant medium to send fraudulent COVID-related products. But illicit trade has been a big concern for industry even before the start of the pandemic.

Over the past 20 years, there has been a criminal transformation driven by geopolitical, economic and technological shifts, that has seriously challenged certain industries. Illicit trade typically affects legitimate businesses in terms of lost market share, slower growth, damage to business infrastructure, reputational harm, rising supply chain compliance, security and insurance costs. Many stakeholders believe there is no simple solution and that illicit trade must be targeted from multiple angles. These include developing better legal and policy frameworks, tightening supply chains, improving enforcement at the border, and consumer awareness. Targeting consumer awareness is deemed increasingly important, as through good educational campaigns, people can make more informed and responsible choices.

Relisten to this EURACTIV debate to find out about the impact of illicit trade on society and economy. What are the threats they face? How can information-sharing mechanisms be strengthened? And how can government and industry work together to combat illegal trade?

Illicit trade is a growing threat in an increasing digital and globalised economy. The World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that over US$2.2 trillion (3% of global GDP) has been lost due to illicit trade leakages in 2020 alone. Additionally, according to the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade, imports of counterfeit and pirated goods are worth nearly $500 billion a year.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, illicit activities have increased across different sectors such as pharmaceuticals, tobacco, alcohol, PPE products, home and personal sanitising products, luxury goods, beauty and personal care products. Supply and demand disruptions, restricted travel and international border closures have forced criminals to adapt their networks. One of the most noticeable changes has been the shift to an online environment. In fact, law enforcement officials have reported that EU e-commerce has been a predominant medium to send fraudulent COVID-related products. But illicit trade has been a big concern for industry even before the start of the pandemic.

Over the past 20 years, there has been a criminal transformation driven by geopolitical, economic and technological shifts, that has seriously challenged certain industries. Illicit trade typically affects legitimate businesses in terms of lost market share, slower growth, damage to business infrastructure, reputational harm, rising supply chain compliance, security and insurance costs. Many stakeholders believe there is no simple solution and that illicit trade must be targeted from multiple angles. These include developing better legal and policy frameworks, tightening supply chains, improving enforcement at the border, and consumer awareness. Targeting consumer awareness is deemed increasingly important, as through good educational campaigns, people can make more informed and responsible choices.

Relisten to this EURACTIV debate to find out about the impact of illicit trade on society and economy. What are the threats they face? How can information-sharing mechanisms be strengthened? And how can government and industry work together to combat illegal trade?

The EU's post-pandemic Green Recovery is laying the foundations for a new understanding of buildings and construction processes. The needs of people and systems are being reconsidered, while new implications of construction work are taken into consideration, such as energy production and efficiency, recycling of materials and sourcing of raw materials, transportation of tools and materials.

Buildings are responsible for about 40% of the EU's energy consumption, and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions from energy. But only 1% of buildings undergo energy efficient renovation every year.

The Commission aims to at least double building renovation rates in the next ten years and make sure renovations lead to higher energy and resource efficiency. This will enhance the quality of life for people living in and using the buildings, reduce Europe's greenhouse gas emissions, foster digitalisation, and improve the reuse and recycling of materials. By 2030, 35 million buildings could be renovated and up to 160,000 additional green jobs created in the construction sector.

A carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), announced in the European Green Deal, will also serve as an essential element of the EU toolbox to meet the objective of a climate-neutral EU by 2050. The CBAM will equalise the price of carbon between domestic products and imports and encourage producers in non-EU countries to green their production processes. It will initially apply only to a selected number of goods at high risk of carbon leakage: iron and steel, cement, fertiliser, aluminium, and electricity generation.

Given the scale of emissions produced by the construction sector, cleaning it up will be a challenge for EU policymakers and Member States, particularly when addressing entire global supply chains.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out about the new economic and environmental challenges for the construction sector, particularly for South-Eastern Europe. Discussed questions include:

What will be the new implications faced during, before and after construction - from conceptualising, planning, designing, constructing and maintaining?
How can the global supply chain crisis be navigated by South-Eastern Member States?
What role can the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility play?
What are the implications of higher construction materials and energy prices?
Would there be an increased demand for recycled (secondary) construction materials and products? And, is there a lack of adequate recycling facilities?
What form can the 'renovation wave' take in less economically advanced Member States, and what will the costs be for the construction sector?
How to make construction a cornerstone of CBAM?

The EU's post-pandemic Green Recovery is laying the foundations for a new understanding of buildings and construction processes. The needs of people and systems are being reconsidered, while new implications of construction work are taken into consideration, such as energy production and efficiency, recycling of materials and sourcing of raw materials, transportation of tools and materials.

Buildings are responsible for about 40% of the EU's energy consumption, and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions from energy. But only 1% of buildings undergo energy efficient renovation every year.

The Commission aims to at least double building renovation rates in the next ten years and make sure renovations lead to higher energy and resource efficiency. This will enhance the quality of life for people living in and using the buildings, reduce Europe's greenhouse gas emissions, foster digitalisation, and improve the reuse and recycling of materials. By 2030, 35 million buildings could be renovated and up to 160,000 additional green jobs created in the construction sector.

A carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), announced in the European Green Deal, will also serve as an essential element of the EU toolbox to meet the objective of a climate-neutral EU by 2050. The CBAM will equalise the price of carbon between domestic products and imports and encourage producers in non-EU countries to green their production processes. It will initially apply only to a selected number of goods at high risk of carbon leakage: iron and steel, cement, fertiliser, aluminium, and electricity generation.

Given the scale of emissions produced by the construction sector, cleaning it up will be a challenge for EU policymakers and Member States, particularly when addressing entire global supply chains.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out about the new economic and environmental challenges for the construction sector, particularly for South-Eastern Europe. Discussed questions include:

What will be the new implications faced during, before and after construction - from conceptualising, planning, designing, constructing and maintaining?
How can the global supply chain crisis be navigated by South-Eastern Member States?
What role can the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility play?
What are the implications of higher construction materials and energy prices?
Would there be an increased demand for recycled (secondary) construction materials and products? And, is there a lack of adequate recycling facilities?
What form can the 'renovation wave' take in less economically advanced Member States, and what will the costs be for the construction sector?
How to make construction a cornerstone of CBAM?

Agriculture is one of the key focus areas of the partnership between the EU and the African Union (AU), with the EU’s focus being on facilitating a green transition in line with its Green Deal ambitions. By working together to boost safe and sustainable agri-food systems, the AU and the EU can address the challenges of nutrition and food security, environmental concerns, and economic growth.

From February 17-18 at the EU-Africa Union Summit, African and European Heads of State and Government will meet to determine joint priorities for their common future. The Summit is due to include an exchange of views on common areas of cooperation in a renewed Africa-EU Partnership. The partnership agreement is expected to cover agriculture, a key sector in Africa with a large social and economic footprint.

Some stakeholders argue that future agri-food partnerships between the EU and Africa, while enabling a sustainable transformation, must also be adapted to the realities of farming in Africa. Such realities include, among others: unrealised yield and the yield potential of farms; the ambition to end hunger; agriculture is predominantly smallholder led; it is more affected by climate change, disease and pests pressure not present in Europe; low technology access and use; and low investment despite governmental commitments made in the 2014 Malabo commitments. They also highlight the ongoing challenge of illicit products circulating in the market.

The partnership is also being agreed against a backdrop of the newly established and evolving African Continental Free Trade Area that created the largest free trade areas in the world, measured by number of countries participating.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss how Africa can transition sustainably towards greener agriculture. Questions to be discussed include:
- How can the global sustainability agenda be effectively localised? What do the localisation agendas look like for Europe and Africa respectively?
- What laws, partnerships and investments are needed to unlock a sustainable transformation that empowers smallholder farmers, builds food security and contributes to livelihoods?
- How can we unlock the potential of sustainable technologies?

Agriculture is one of the key focus areas of the partnership between the EU and the African Union (AU), with the EU’s focus being on facilitating a green transition in line with its Green Deal ambitions. By working together to boost safe and sustainable agri-food systems, the AU and the EU can address the challenges of nutrition and food security, environmental concerns, and economic growth.

From February 17-18 at the EU-Africa Union Summit, African and European Heads of State and Government will meet to determine joint priorities for their common future. The Summit is due to include an exchange of views on common areas of cooperation in a renewed Africa-EU Partnership. The partnership agreement is expected to cover agriculture, a key sector in Africa with a large social and economic footprint.

Some stakeholders argue that future agri-food partnerships between the EU and Africa, while enabling a sustainable transformation, must also be adapted to the realities of farming in Africa. Such realities include, among others: unrealised yield and the yield potential of farms; the ambition to end hunger; agriculture is predominantly smallholder led; it is more affected by climate change, disease and pests pressure not present in Europe; low technology access and use; and low investment despite governmental commitments made in the 2014 Malabo commitments. They also highlight the ongoing challenge of illicit products circulating in the market.

The partnership is also being agreed against a backdrop of the newly established and evolving African Continental Free Trade Area that created the largest free trade areas in the world, measured by number of countries participating.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss how Africa can transition sustainably towards greener agriculture. Questions to be discussed include:
- How can the global sustainability agenda be effectively localised? What do the localisation agendas look like for Europe and Africa respectively?
- What laws, partnerships and investments are needed to unlock a sustainable transformation that empowers smallholder farmers, builds food security and contributes to livelihoods?
- How can we unlock the potential of sustainable technologies?

En réponse aux conséquences économiques et sociales de la pandémie, les Etats membres de l'Union européenne ont adopté un plan de relance historique baptisé « NextGenerationEU ». Avec une enveloppe d'environ 750 milliards d'euros, cet accord a pour objectif principal le financement du pacte vert pour l'Europe et la transition numérique.

La crise sanitaire a rappelé l'importance de la souveraineté alimentaire ainsi que la nécessité de renforcer la transition agroécologique sur le continent européen. Une partie conséquente du plan de relance sera allouée au secteur agricole, majoritairement par le biais la PAC, dont la France est la première bénéficiaire. Selon l’INRAE (Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement), les aides directes de la PAC auraient financé 74% du revenu des agriculteurs en 2019 en France.

L'agriculture durable est également un point essentiel de la réforme de la PAC qui entrera en vigueur en 2023. Après de longues négociations au Parlement européen, les avis restent partagés concernant les ambitions de l'accord sur le plan environnemental. La France doit désormais soumettre son Plan stratégique national (PSN) qui sera présenté à la Commission et fixera les priorités du gouvernement quant à la mise en œuvre du nouvel accord sur le territoire. L'élaboration du PSN est un réel enjeu pour la France car la nouvelle réforme de la PAC octroie une marge décisionnelle plus importante aux Etats membres de l'Union.

Ecoutez cette conférence virtuelle organisée par EURACTIV. Les questions abordées sont les suivantes :
- Comment la France utilise-t-elle concrètement les ressources financières mises à sa disposition au niveau national et régional ?
- Comment le gouvernement français soutient-il la transition agroécologique ?
- Comment contrôle-t-on la mise en œuvre des initiatives durables par les agriculteurs ?
- Quelles solutions innovantes sont utilisées pour maintenir ces objectifs ?

En réponse aux conséquences économiques et sociales de la pandémie, les Etats membres de l'Union européenne ont adopté un plan de relance historique baptisé « NextGenerationEU ». Avec une enveloppe d'environ 750 milliards d'euros, cet accord a pour objectif principal le financement du pacte vert pour l'Europe et la transition numérique.

La crise sanitaire a rappelé l'importance de la souveraineté alimentaire ainsi que la nécessité de renforcer la transition agroécologique sur le continent européen. Une partie conséquente du plan de relance sera allouée au secteur agricole, majoritairement par le biais la PAC, dont la France est la première bénéficiaire. Selon l’INRAE (Institut national de recherche pour l’agriculture, l’alimentation et l’environnement), les aides directes de la PAC auraient financé 74% du revenu des agriculteurs en 2019 en France.

L'agriculture durable est également un point essentiel de la réforme de la PAC qui entrera en vigueur en 2023. Après de longues négociations au Parlement européen, les avis restent partagés concernant les ambitions de l'accord sur le plan environnemental. La France doit désormais soumettre son Plan stratégique national (PSN) qui sera présenté à la Commission et fixera les priorités du gouvernement quant à la mise en œuvre du nouvel accord sur le territoire. L'élaboration du PSN est un réel enjeu pour la France car la nouvelle réforme de la PAC octroie une marge décisionnelle plus importante aux Etats membres de l'Union.

Ecoutez cette conférence virtuelle organisée par EURACTIV. Les questions abordées sont les suivantes :
- Comment la France utilise-t-elle concrètement les ressources financières mises à sa disposition au niveau national et régional ?
- Comment le gouvernement français soutient-il la transition agroécologique ?
- Comment contrôle-t-on la mise en œuvre des initiatives durables par les agriculteurs ?
- Quelles solutions innovantes sont utilisées pour maintenir ces objectifs ?

In July 2021, the European Commission adopted a Proposal for establishing a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The aim of the proposal is to require importers to buy carbon certificates corresponding to the carbon price that would have been paid had the goods been produced under the EU's carbon pricing rules. Conversely, once a non-EU producer can show they have already paid a price for the carbon used in the production of the imported goods in a third country, the corresponding cost can be fully deducted for the EU importer.

The CBAM is intended to complement the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and level the playing field between EU and non-EU businesses. The EU ETS, which sets a cap on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that can be released from industrial installations in certain sectors, works through a system of allowances that must be bought on the ETS trading market, though a certain number of free allowances is distributed to prevent carbon leakage. The CBAM will progressively become an alternative to this. Moreover, in the Commission's new proposal for a revised ETS, the number of free allowances for all sectors will decline over time, and for the CBAM sectors, the free allowances will gradually be phased out as from 2026.

An industry particularly susceptible to these mechanisms is that of steel, which has set out the ambition to reduce its CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2018 (= 55% compared to 1990). Currently, there are more than 50 steel projects that could be implemented at industrial scale by 2030 in order to achieve this ambitious objective. The estimated costs are 25 billion EUR Capex and 45 billion EUR Opex, plus 150 TWh of carbon-free electricity needed, including for hydrogen production, by 2030. The EU steel industry states it is willing to invest in order to implement these and other projects, with the support of EU and national programmes and EU legislation that allows a sustainable transition.

Stakeholders from the industry have expressed some concerns about the CBAM and ETS. They claim that the additional direct carbon costs for the steel industry with the combined effect of CBAM and ETS on the free allowances phase-out will be of nearly 14 billion euros in 2030 with ‘business as usual’ emissions, or 8,4 billion euros if the sector is able to reduce its emissions by 30% by 2030. Industry also claims that in 2030, an average EU steel company retrofitting its plant with clean technology will face 400 million euros carbon costs, while a similar non-EU company exporting its steel into the EU market will bear only 30 million euros of costs, despite the CBAM levy at the border.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out about the impact of the CBAM and ETS mechanisms on the steel industry. Discussed questions included:

Is the Fit for 55 Package also “fit” to ensure a level playing field between EU steelmakers and non EU-steelmakers?
In light of the current energy and carbon prices spikes, how can the phasing out of free allowances be implemented in a sustainable way?
Can the CBAM coexist with the current system of free allowances?
Why should we need export adjustments and to what extent are they compliant with WTO requirements?
Investments in breakthrough technologies and affordable CO2-free energy are key for scaling up low-carbon steel projects already in progress. How can those needs be met, while creating lead markets for the greener but also more expensive EU steel?

In July 2021, the European Commission adopted a Proposal for establishing a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The aim of the proposal is to require importers to buy carbon certificates corresponding to the carbon price that would have been paid had the goods been produced under the EU's carbon pricing rules. Conversely, once a non-EU producer can show they have already paid a price for the carbon used in the production of the imported goods in a third country, the corresponding cost can be fully deducted for the EU importer.

The CBAM is intended to complement the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and level the playing field between EU and non-EU businesses. The EU ETS, which sets a cap on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that can be released from industrial installations in certain sectors, works through a system of allowances that must be bought on the ETS trading market, though a certain number of free allowances is distributed to prevent carbon leakage. The CBAM will progressively become an alternative to this. Moreover, in the Commission's new proposal for a revised ETS, the number of free allowances for all sectors will decline over time, and for the CBAM sectors, the free allowances will gradually be phased out as from 2026.

An industry particularly susceptible to these mechanisms is that of steel, which has set out the ambition to reduce its CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2018 (= 55% compared to 1990). Currently, there are more than 50 steel projects that could be implemented at industrial scale by 2030 in order to achieve this ambitious objective. The estimated costs are 25 billion EUR Capex and 45 billion EUR Opex, plus 150 TWh of carbon-free electricity needed, including for hydrogen production, by 2030. The EU steel industry states it is willing to invest in order to implement these and other projects, with the support of EU and national programmes and EU legislation that allows a sustainable transition.

Stakeholders from the industry have expressed some concerns about the CBAM and ETS. They claim that the additional direct carbon costs for the steel industry with the combined effect of CBAM and ETS on the free allowances phase-out will be of nearly 14 billion euros in 2030 with ‘business as usual’ emissions, or 8,4 billion euros if the sector is able to reduce its emissions by 30% by 2030. Industry also claims that in 2030, an average EU steel company retrofitting its plant with clean technology will face 400 million euros carbon costs, while a similar non-EU company exporting its steel into the EU market will bear only 30 million euros of costs, despite the CBAM levy at the border.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out about the impact of the CBAM and ETS mechanisms on the steel industry. Discussed questions included:

Is the Fit for 55 Package also “fit” to ensure a level playing field between EU steelmakers and non EU-steelmakers?
In light of the current energy and carbon prices spikes, how can the phasing out of free allowances be implemented in a sustainable way?
Can the CBAM coexist with the current system of free allowances?
Why should we need export adjustments and to what extent are they compliant with WTO requirements?
Investments in breakthrough technologies and affordable CO2-free energy are key for scaling up low-carbon steel projects already in progress. How can those needs be met, while creating lead markets for the greener but also more expensive EU steel?

In December 2021, the European Commission published the Hydrogen and Decarbonised Gas Market Package with the aim to decarbonise the EU gas market by facilitating the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, and to ensure energy security for EU citizens.

One of the main aims of the new legislative proposals is to establish a market for hydrogen, create the right environment for investment, and enable the development of dedicated infrastructure, including for trade with third countries.

A new governance structure in the form of the European Network of Network Operators for Hydrogen (ENNOH) will be created to promote a dedicated hydrogen infrastructure, cross-border coordination and interconnector network construction, and elaborate on specific technical rules.

The new legislative proposals follow from the strategic vision set out in the EU Strategy for Energy System Integration, the EU Hydrogen Strategy and the EU Methane Strategy.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out the EU's shift from natural gas to renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen. Questions included:
-Will the new legislative proposals be enough to decarbonise Europe’s gas supply, and help the EU reach its 2030 and 2050 targets?
-How can the EU ensure effective integration of hydrogen within its energy system?

In December 2021, the European Commission published the Hydrogen and Decarbonised Gas Market Package with the aim to decarbonise the EU gas market by facilitating the uptake of renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen, and to ensure energy security for EU citizens.

One of the main aims of the new legislative proposals is to establish a market for hydrogen, create the right environment for investment, and enable the development of dedicated infrastructure, including for trade with third countries.

A new governance structure in the form of the European Network of Network Operators for Hydrogen (ENNOH) will be created to promote a dedicated hydrogen infrastructure, cross-border coordination and interconnector network construction, and elaborate on specific technical rules.

The new legislative proposals follow from the strategic vision set out in the EU Strategy for Energy System Integration, the EU Hydrogen Strategy and the EU Methane Strategy.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out the EU's shift from natural gas to renewable and low-carbon gases, including hydrogen. Questions included:
-Will the new legislative proposals be enough to decarbonise Europe’s gas supply, and help the EU reach its 2030 and 2050 targets?
-How can the EU ensure effective integration of hydrogen within its energy system?

Over the last century, the amount of methane in the atmosphere has more than doubled. A rapid, large-scale effort to tackle its emissions could slow global warming by 30%. Last year, the EU played a major role in launching the Global Methane Pledge signed by over 100 countries representing 70% of the global economy committing to reduce methane emissions this decade.

Up until now, little has been done in Europe on the regulatory front to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas. But the European Commission is to change that by finalising a regulation aimed at cutting down methane emissions as part of a gas package of legislation published on 15 December.

As the world’s largest gas importer, with 85% of the bloc’s natural gas produced outside its borders, the EU’s plan to crack down on methane emissions is crucial. The European Commission’s methane proposal has been criticised by some industry and climate stakeholders for not going far enough in dealing with extraterritorial emissions.

Attention now turns to the European Parliament and Member States to set the tone of the negotiations in the coming months to ensure the EU methane legislation achieves deep greenhouse gas reductions.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out how the EU can tackle energy sector methane emissions and reach its 2030 climate targets and the 2050 climate neutrality goal. Questions included:
– Are the proposed methane measurement, monitoring and mitigation requirements enough to address Europe’s methane problem?
– How can the EU lead the way on reducing methane emissions at a global level?

Over the last century, the amount of methane in the atmosphere has more than doubled. A rapid, large-scale effort to tackle its emissions could slow global warming by 30%. Last year, the EU played a major role in launching the Global Methane Pledge signed by over 100 countries representing 70% of the global economy committing to reduce methane emissions this decade.

Up until now, little has been done in Europe on the regulatory front to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas. But the European Commission is to change that by finalising a regulation aimed at cutting down methane emissions as part of a gas package of legislation published on 15 December.

As the world’s largest gas importer, with 85% of the bloc’s natural gas produced outside its borders, the EU’s plan to crack down on methane emissions is crucial. The European Commission’s methane proposal has been criticised by some industry and climate stakeholders for not going far enough in dealing with extraterritorial emissions.

Attention now turns to the European Parliament and Member States to set the tone of the negotiations in the coming months to ensure the EU methane legislation achieves deep greenhouse gas reductions.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out how the EU can tackle energy sector methane emissions and reach its 2030 climate targets and the 2050 climate neutrality goal. Questions included:
– Are the proposed methane measurement, monitoring and mitigation requirements enough to address Europe’s methane problem?
– How can the EU lead the way on reducing methane emissions at a global level?

The European Parliament and the Council are working with the European Commission to find a final compromise on the Digital Markets Act (DMA) that aims to ensure contestability, fairness, and a level playing field in the EU. While the political directions from the Parliament and the Council have been set, more work is needed to get to the final text and make the DMA work.

Clear and predictable rules are necessary to provide legal certainty for gatekeepers and users alike and for the DMA to be self-enforcing. In order to regulate dynamic digital markets effectively and proportionally, account should be taken of the nature of core platform services targeted by the DMA and the presence of different business models. It is deemed unwise for self-enforcement to be left entirely to the gatekeepers. Guidance will be needed to get to effective remedies and the Commission might need to play a stronger role in defining what concretely gatekeepers should and should not do.

Many industry stakeholders support the idea of some form of regulatory dialogue. Both gatekeepers and users would benefit and enforcement would be strengthened. Such a dialogue could contribute to ensure the DMA achieves its objectives and to create legal certainty by providing further specification to the obligations gatekeepers will have to comply with as well as to hold gatekeepers accountable. It could also help to better understand the effects that the DMA would have on the different platform services, on consumers and business users.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out how the regulatory dialogue could be designed and implemented to contribute to the effectiveness and durability of the DMA. How would the general obligations of the DMA apply across the diverse platform services covered? How can companies best assist the EU Commission in achieving the DMA policy objectives?

The European Parliament and the Council are working with the European Commission to find a final compromise on the Digital Markets Act (DMA) that aims to ensure contestability, fairness, and a level playing field in the EU. While the political directions from the Parliament and the Council have been set, more work is needed to get to the final text and make the DMA work.

Clear and predictable rules are necessary to provide legal certainty for gatekeepers and users alike and for the DMA to be self-enforcing. In order to regulate dynamic digital markets effectively and proportionally, account should be taken of the nature of core platform services targeted by the DMA and the presence of different business models. It is deemed unwise for self-enforcement to be left entirely to the gatekeepers. Guidance will be needed to get to effective remedies and the Commission might need to play a stronger role in defining what concretely gatekeepers should and should not do.

Many industry stakeholders support the idea of some form of regulatory dialogue. Both gatekeepers and users would benefit and enforcement would be strengthened. Such a dialogue could contribute to ensure the DMA achieves its objectives and to create legal certainty by providing further specification to the obligations gatekeepers will have to comply with as well as to hold gatekeepers accountable. It could also help to better understand the effects that the DMA would have on the different platform services, on consumers and business users.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out how the regulatory dialogue could be designed and implemented to contribute to the effectiveness and durability of the DMA. How would the general obligations of the DMA apply across the diverse platform services covered? How can companies best assist the EU Commission in achieving the DMA policy objectives?

SMEs play a significant role in the economic well-being of the EU economy, accounting for over 60% of employment across the EU27 and the UK. SMEs are also a key driving factor for economic inclusivity. They push forward economic innovation and flexibility given their importance to entrepreneurship and new market entry, adoption of new innovative technologies, and overall wider benefits to market competition and ultimately to consumers.

Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, many SMEs expressed cautious optimism, with a positive economic outlook for growth and the opportunity to invest. But COVID-19 has seen many SMEs in a fight for survival. Despite the benefits of digitalisation, the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2020 data found SMEs lag behind larger businesses in adoption of nearly all technologies despite being connected to the internet at the same rate. This ‘digital divide’ presents policymakers with the task of supporting SMEs in the economic recovery.

While all SMEs have been impacted and face risks due to COVID-19, it is clear that the more digitalised SMEs - operating in sectors such as financial/insurance services and professional services - have identified new business opportunities in the pandemic economy at a higher rate than the less digitalised businesses, such as those operating in the construction, manufacturing and hospitality sectors.

Challenges related to availability, capacity and capability impede the ability of SMEs to digitalise and ultimately find new business opportunities. SMEs therefore look to policymakers to help with availability of tools and technologies required for digitalisation, such as high-speed connectivity in urban and rural areas; capacity (financial and time) to engage with digital transformations; and the capability to gauge, plan, implement and optimise their digital transformations through digital skills.

Listen to this EURACTIV – GIGAEurope Digital Debate to find out how policymakers can support SMEs to maintain their economic resilience post-pandemic. Questions included:

Are current EU and national policies equipped to support SMEs in the cases of availability, capacity and capability?
How can policy best mitigate a digital divide amongst European SMEs by addressing the financial constraints that impede the ability of SMEs to digitalise?
Should the opportunities presented by the use of digital (e.g. flexible working) be prioritised in ongoing government policy support?
What should a tailored policy approach look like for SMEs, as there can clearly not be a ‘one size fits all’ approach for ongoing SME support?

SMEs play a significant role in the economic well-being of the EU economy, accounting for over 60% of employment across the EU27 and the UK. SMEs are also a key driving factor for economic inclusivity. They push forward economic innovation and flexibility given their importance to entrepreneurship and new market entry, adoption of new innovative technologies, and overall wider benefits to market competition and ultimately to consumers.

Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, many SMEs expressed cautious optimism, with a positive economic outlook for growth and the opportunity to invest. But COVID-19 has seen many SMEs in a fight for survival. Despite the benefits of digitalisation, the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2020 data found SMEs lag behind larger businesses in adoption of nearly all technologies despite being connected to the internet at the same rate. This ‘digital divide’ presents policymakers with the task of supporting SMEs in the economic recovery.

While all SMEs have been impacted and face risks due to COVID-19, it is clear that the more digitalised SMEs - operating in sectors such as financial/insurance services and professional services - have identified new business opportunities in the pandemic economy at a higher rate than the less digitalised businesses, such as those operating in the construction, manufacturing and hospitality sectors.

Challenges related to availability, capacity and capability impede the ability of SMEs to digitalise and ultimately find new business opportunities. SMEs therefore look to policymakers to help with availability of tools and technologies required for digitalisation, such as high-speed connectivity in urban and rural areas; capacity (financial and time) to engage with digital transformations; and the capability to gauge, plan, implement and optimise their digital transformations through digital skills.

Listen to this EURACTIV – GIGAEurope Digital Debate to find out how policymakers can support SMEs to maintain their economic resilience post-pandemic. Questions included:

Are current EU and national policies equipped to support SMEs in the cases of availability, capacity and capability?
How can policy best mitigate a digital divide amongst European SMEs by addressing the financial constraints that impede the ability of SMEs to digitalise?
Should the opportunities presented by the use of digital (e.g. flexible working) be prioritised in ongoing government policy support?
What should a tailored policy approach look like for SMEs, as there can clearly not be a ‘one size fits all’ approach for ongoing SME support?

The Farm to Fork strategy, which outlines several targets to green the EU’s agri-food sector, has sparked debate ever since its unveiling in May 2020.

The outcomes of some initial studies on the Farm to Fork’s impact concluded that the Farm to Fork’s goals are in reach but risk a significant reduction in EU food production and farmers’ income, underlining their fears about the strategy’s potential impact on the sector.

Environmental organisations have been quick to highlight the shortcomings of these. They say the studies do not consider the full range of benefits that more sustainable production would bring to the sector.

A main divide between the two sides is that industry wants an overall impact assessment of the Farm to Fork strategy, whereas environmental organisations believe that evaluating each measure in the strategy would be sufficient.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out what we still do not know about the impact of the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy on farmers, consumers, and the environment. And what policy instruments will be needed to reach the targets?

The Farm to Fork strategy, which outlines several targets to green the EU’s agri-food sector, has sparked debate ever since its unveiling in May 2020.

The outcomes of some initial studies on the Farm to Fork’s impact concluded that the Farm to Fork’s goals are in reach but risk a significant reduction in EU food production and farmers’ income, underlining their fears about the strategy’s potential impact on the sector.

Environmental organisations have been quick to highlight the shortcomings of these. They say the studies do not consider the full range of benefits that more sustainable production would bring to the sector.

A main divide between the two sides is that industry wants an overall impact assessment of the Farm to Fork strategy, whereas environmental organisations believe that evaluating each measure in the strategy would be sufficient.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out what we still do not know about the impact of the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy on farmers, consumers, and the environment. And what policy instruments will be needed to reach the targets?

In November 2020, the European Commission launched the Pact for Skills – a shared engagement and approach to skills development. The Pact is aimed to maximise the improvement of existing skills (upskilling) and training in new skills (reskilling). It calls on industry, employers, social partners, chambers of commerce, public authorities, education and training providers and employment agencies to work together and make a clear commitment to invest in training for all working age people across the European Union.

The Pact builds on the European Pillar of Social Rights, the EU’s compass for a social and inclusive recovery. It emphasises the promotion of lifelong learning for all, building strong skills partnerships, monitoring skills supply/demand and anticipating skills needs, and working against discrimination and for gender equality and equal opportunities.

As reskilling is part of the National Recovery and Resilience Funds, taking account of regional, national and European developments is imperative for a fair and resilient recovery.

Join this EURACTIV Virtual Conference, the third event of the 'Future of Work Lab debate series', to discuss where we stand one year after the launch of the Pact for Skills and how skills are becoming 'the currency of the future'. Questions to be addressed include:

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted concepts like lifelong learning and skills partnerships?
What lessons can be drawn from the pandemic regarding skills supply/demand and anticipating skills?
What are national systems doing to enforce upskilling of their workforce in the framework of National Resilience and Recovery Plans?
What role can industry play in ensuring a fair and efficient upskilling of the workforce?
What role can the EU play in skills demand and supply needs for workforce and companies at regional, national and European level? How is this foreseen in the NRRPs?
Can the Recovery and Resilience Facility play a role in the implementation of the EU Pact for Skills?

In November 2020, the European Commission launched the Pact for Skills – a shared engagement and approach to skills development. The Pact is aimed to maximise the improvement of existing skills (upskilling) and training in new skills (reskilling). It calls on industry, employers, social partners, chambers of commerce, public authorities, education and training providers and employment agencies to work together and make a clear commitment to invest in training for all working age people across the European Union.

The Pact builds on the European Pillar of Social Rights, the EU’s compass for a social and inclusive recovery. It emphasises the promotion of lifelong learning for all, building strong skills partnerships, monitoring skills supply/demand and anticipating skills needs, and working against discrimination and for gender equality and equal opportunities.

As reskilling is part of the National Recovery and Resilience Funds, taking account of regional, national and European developments is imperative for a fair and resilient recovery.

Join this EURACTIV Virtual Conference, the third event of the 'Future of Work Lab debate series', to discuss where we stand one year after the launch of the Pact for Skills and how skills are becoming 'the currency of the future'. Questions to be addressed include:

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted concepts like lifelong learning and skills partnerships?
What lessons can be drawn from the pandemic regarding skills supply/demand and anticipating skills?
What are national systems doing to enforce upskilling of their workforce in the framework of National Resilience and Recovery Plans?
What role can industry play in ensuring a fair and efficient upskilling of the workforce?
What role can the EU play in skills demand and supply needs for workforce and companies at regional, national and European level? How is this foreseen in the NRRPs?
Can the Recovery and Resilience Facility play a role in the implementation of the EU Pact for Skills?

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out about the Commission's Impact Assessment for the transport sector in the latest climate package. If modelling data is seen to contradict real world data, what are the consequences? And who is responsible for ensuring that modelling assumptions evolve with real-world data, technology advances and the actual provisions of EU laws?

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out about the Commission's Impact Assessment for the transport sector in the latest climate package. If modelling data is seen to contradict real world data, what are the consequences? And who is responsible for ensuring that modelling assumptions evolve with real-world data, technology advances and the actual provisions of EU laws?

In order to meet the EU’s climate and energy targets for 2030 and reach the objectives of the European Green Deal, the Commission wants to direct investments towards sustainable projects and activities. The ongoing gas and electricity price shock developing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has boosted awareness of the need to make our economies, businesses and societies less dependent on a steady supply of fossil fuels, even before considering the air pollution and CO2 emissions caused by their combustion.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out about the EU taxonomy for sustainable activities, and whether nuclear energy should continue to be excluded.

In order to meet the EU’s climate and energy targets for 2030 and reach the objectives of the European Green Deal, the Commission wants to direct investments towards sustainable projects and activities. The ongoing gas and electricity price shock developing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has boosted awareness of the need to make our economies, businesses and societies less dependent on a steady supply of fossil fuels, even before considering the air pollution and CO2 emissions caused by their combustion.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out about the EU taxonomy for sustainable activities, and whether nuclear energy should continue to be excluded.

Energy poverty is a situation in which households are unable to access essential energy services, due to a combination of low income, high expenditure of disposable income on energy, and poor energy efficiency. With nearly 34 million Europeans unable to afford to keep their homes adequately warm in 2018, energy poverty is a major challenge for the EU.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to see how addressing energy poverty can help reduce inequalities in the European Union and the role that Member States should play in protecting vulnerable citizens.

Energy poverty is a situation in which households are unable to access essential energy services, due to a combination of low income, high expenditure of disposable income on energy, and poor energy efficiency. With nearly 34 million Europeans unable to afford to keep their homes adequately warm in 2018, energy poverty is a major challenge for the EU.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to see how addressing energy poverty can help reduce inequalities in the European Union and the role that Member States should play in protecting vulnerable citizens.

How much do we know of the way food and drink SMEs adapt to legislation decided in Brussels? How do they cope with new requirements and transitional periods? What are their main challenges? Some SMEs are ahead of the curve, but their efforts sometimes go unnoticed.

Listen to this audio to find out more about implementation of the Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy and their impact on European food and drink SMEs.

How much do we know of the way food and drink SMEs adapt to legislation decided in Brussels? How do they cope with new requirements and transitional periods? What are their main challenges? Some SMEs are ahead of the curve, but their efforts sometimes go unnoticed.

Listen to this audio to find out more about implementation of the Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy and their impact on European food and drink SMEs.

In order for food producers to be able to keep bringing innovative solutions to the market and enable the transition of our food systems, the food ingredients sector claims its role is essential in the successful implementation of the F2F strategy. Hence the importance to have a regulatory framework recognising and promoting innovation alongside evidence-based policies.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out how, through science- driven innovation, it will be possible to keep creating future-proof food and drink products responding to varied and evolving consumer demands while being safe, convenient and enjoyable for all.

In order for food producers to be able to keep bringing innovative solutions to the market and enable the transition of our food systems, the food ingredients sector claims its role is essential in the successful implementation of the F2F strategy. Hence the importance to have a regulatory framework recognising and promoting innovation alongside evidence-based policies.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out how, through science- driven innovation, it will be possible to keep creating future-proof food and drink products responding to varied and evolving consumer demands while being safe, convenient and enjoyable for all.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent acceleration of digitalisation, a shift has taken place in which customer interactions have increasingly moved from an offline to an online environment. This has resulted in online advertising becoming even more essential for smaller businesses, enabling them to interact with consumers who visit physical stores less.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss how the voice of SMEs can be elevated and how the role of digital tools can be further enhanced to help drive the recovery of European SMEs.

Following the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent acceleration of digitalisation, a shift has taken place in which customer interactions have increasingly moved from an offline to an online environment. This has resulted in online advertising becoming even more essential for smaller businesses, enabling them to interact with consumers who visit physical stores less.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss how the voice of SMEs can be elevated and how the role of digital tools can be further enhanced to help drive the recovery of European SMEs.

Covid-19 hat ganz Europa zwanghaft in eine Position des Umdenkens und der Neuorganisation gerückt. Als Reaktion auf die ökonomischen und sozialen Folgen der Pandemie verabschiedete die Europäische Union das größte Konjunkturprogramm aller Zeiten: ‘NextGenerationEU’. Das 806.9 billion Euro Paket verfolgt vor allem das Ziel, Europa grüner, digitaler und robuster zu gestalten.

Mit 8.1 billion Euro, als Teil der Aufbau- und Resilienzfazilität, ist die Förderung von landwirtschaftlicher Entwicklung ein bedeutsamer Teil des Pakets. Traditionelle Politikbereiche wie die gemeinsame Agrarpolitik (GAP) sollen modernisiert werden. Nicht nur sollen Landwirte direkte finanzielle Hilfe bekommen, das Programm will auch zur grünen Umstrukturierung der gesamten landwirtschaftlichen Industrie beitragen.

Die Notwendigkeit zur nachhaltigen Landwirtschaft ist ein wesentlicher Punkt der in 2023 in Kraft tretenden Reform der GAP. Deutschland hat bereits Pläne zur Umsetzung vorgeschlagen, wobei Agrarministerin Julia Klöckner die Festlegung der nationalen Gesetzgebung seit Juni 2021 stark vorantreibt. Darin wird zum Beispiel definiert unter welchen Konditionen Landwirte Subventionen erhalten können.

Die neuen Beschlüsse werden unter anderem von Landwirtschaft und Umweltschützer*innen kritisiert. Reicht die Gesetzeslage in Deutschland aus, um sowohl Landwirten ausreichende Unterstützung zu bieten und gleichzeitig den Klimaschutz voranzubringen?

Covid-19 hat ganz Europa zwanghaft in eine Position des Umdenkens und der Neuorganisation gerückt. Als Reaktion auf die ökonomischen und sozialen Folgen der Pandemie verabschiedete die Europäische Union das größte Konjunkturprogramm aller Zeiten: ‘NextGenerationEU’. Das 806.9 billion Euro Paket verfolgt vor allem das Ziel, Europa grüner, digitaler und robuster zu gestalten.

Mit 8.1 billion Euro, als Teil der Aufbau- und Resilienzfazilität, ist die Förderung von landwirtschaftlicher Entwicklung ein bedeutsamer Teil des Pakets. Traditionelle Politikbereiche wie die gemeinsame Agrarpolitik (GAP) sollen modernisiert werden. Nicht nur sollen Landwirte direkte finanzielle Hilfe bekommen, das Programm will auch zur grünen Umstrukturierung der gesamten landwirtschaftlichen Industrie beitragen.

Die Notwendigkeit zur nachhaltigen Landwirtschaft ist ein wesentlicher Punkt der in 2023 in Kraft tretenden Reform der GAP. Deutschland hat bereits Pläne zur Umsetzung vorgeschlagen, wobei Agrarministerin Julia Klöckner die Festlegung der nationalen Gesetzgebung seit Juni 2021 stark vorantreibt. Darin wird zum Beispiel definiert unter welchen Konditionen Landwirte Subventionen erhalten können.

Die neuen Beschlüsse werden unter anderem von Landwirtschaft und Umweltschützer*innen kritisiert. Reicht die Gesetzeslage in Deutschland aus, um sowohl Landwirten ausreichende Unterstützung zu bieten und gleichzeitig den Klimaschutz voranzubringen?

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference audio to find out how close relations between the EU and Kazakhstan can help the greening of the Kazakh economy and transport sector. What scope is there for Kazakhstan's energy production to move towards cleaner, renewable energy sources? And what role can the EU play in this process, in line with its Strategy on Connecting Europe and Asia?

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference audio to find out how close relations between the EU and Kazakhstan can help the greening of the Kazakh economy and transport sector. What scope is there for Kazakhstan's energy production to move towards cleaner, renewable energy sources? And what role can the EU play in this process, in line with its Strategy on Connecting Europe and Asia?

Discrimination in Europe is a topic high on the agenda of European leaders and policymakers. But despite all the legislation and policy aimed at its prevention, questions remain as to whether these laws and rules are being applied effectively.

According to the Fundamental Rights Agency, the proportion of those who think discrimination in the EU is widespread has increased drastically since 2012, but is the public aware of the tools at their disposal?

MINDSET, a collaborative project between EURACTIV in Brussels and Romania and JEF Europe funded by the REC Programme, has attempted to raise these concerns by focusing on the media and youth in Northern, Eastern and Southern Europe. MINDSET discusses how these areas differ and what needs to be done on both a national and European scale to support both victims and entities supporting victims of discrimination.

Discrimination in Europe is a topic high on the agenda of European leaders and policymakers. But despite all the legislation and policy aimed at its prevention, questions remain as to whether these laws and rules are being applied effectively.

According to the Fundamental Rights Agency, the proportion of those who think discrimination in the EU is widespread has increased drastically since 2012, but is the public aware of the tools at their disposal?

MINDSET, a collaborative project between EURACTIV in Brussels and Romania and JEF Europe funded by the REC Programme, has attempted to raise these concerns by focusing on the media and youth in Northern, Eastern and Southern Europe. MINDSET discusses how these areas differ and what needs to be done on both a national and European scale to support both victims and entities supporting victims of discrimination.

The EU Commission “Fit for 55” places Europe as the global leader on climate ambition. The EC package has charted a path to reach further decarbonisation in 2030, with a special focus on decarbonising transport and buildings.

It also proposes ambitious targets for energy efficiency and renewables, all complemented with social measures to ensure the energy transition will be inclusive, leaving no one behind.

European gas prices have rocketed in the past months as tight gas supplies have coincided with strong demand in economies recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, gas storages have not recovered their usual seasonal levels. EU countries have already taken a range of measures to combat the impacts of rising energy costs, such as social schemes for low-income households and temporary tax breaks on electricity prices.

The negotiations on the "Fit for 55" package will be happening in the midst of high concerns about the impact that the current prices might have on vulnerable consumers and industry competitiveness.

The EU Commission “Fit for 55” places Europe as the global leader on climate ambition. The EC package has charted a path to reach further decarbonisation in 2030, with a special focus on decarbonising transport and buildings.

It also proposes ambitious targets for energy efficiency and renewables, all complemented with social measures to ensure the energy transition will be inclusive, leaving no one behind.

European gas prices have rocketed in the past months as tight gas supplies have coincided with strong demand in economies recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, gas storages have not recovered their usual seasonal levels. EU countries have already taken a range of measures to combat the impacts of rising energy costs, such as social schemes for low-income households and temporary tax breaks on electricity prices.

The negotiations on the "Fit for 55" package will be happening in the midst of high concerns about the impact that the current prices might have on vulnerable consumers and industry competitiveness.

Today, 95% of the hydrogen produced in Europe is of fossil origin and a major emitter of CO2. For the EU to achieve carbon neutrality, hydrogen must be produced in a way that emits low amounts of CO2.

One way to do this is to produce hydrogen by electrolysis, using largely decarbonised electricity from the grid. Electricity grids based on renewables and nuclear allow hydrogen to be produced close to industrial consumption centres (without having to rely on dedicated hydrogen pipelines).

Sometimes called “purple hydrogen”, using nuclear electricity for hydrogen production can complement the production of “green hydrogen” (renewable) as it both offers the benefit of low emissions and steady electricity input for electrolysers, allowing large amounts of hydrogen to be produced.

Today, 95% of the hydrogen produced in Europe is of fossil origin and a major emitter of CO2. For the EU to achieve carbon neutrality, hydrogen must be produced in a way that emits low amounts of CO2.

One way to do this is to produce hydrogen by electrolysis, using largely decarbonised electricity from the grid. Electricity grids based on renewables and nuclear allow hydrogen to be produced close to industrial consumption centres (without having to rely on dedicated hydrogen pipelines).

Sometimes called “purple hydrogen”, using nuclear electricity for hydrogen production can complement the production of “green hydrogen” (renewable) as it both offers the benefit of low emissions and steady electricity input for electrolysers, allowing large amounts of hydrogen to be produced.

In order to achieve the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality target, the European Commission is planning to announce new initiatives addressing the entire life cycle of products.

The objective is a design of products that allows circularity, the promotion of circular economy processes and sustainable consumption, and the initiatives should ensure that waste is prevented and that the resources used remain in the EU economy for as long as possible.

The Sustainable Products Initiative, which is expected to be published in the first quarter of 2022, is a cornerstone of the EU’s endeavours to create a circular economy. It will include proposals to revise the Ecodesign Directive and other legislative measures with the aim to make products placed on the EU market more sustainable.

The European Commission considers detailed and comprehensive information about the composition and nature of products to be a key factor for an effective reuse or recycling of goods. In this respect, the potential of ‘digital’ is key to make information about products more transparent.

The Sustainable Products Initiative will therefore include rules for setting requirements on mandatory sustainability labelling and/or disclosure of information to market actors along value chains in the form of a digital product passport.

A fear of industry is that additional bureaucratic burdens, especially for SMEs, will be created. They claim that a digital product passport could mean the disclosure of internal company data and technological know-how, which could prevent companies from innovating and put them at a competitive disadvantage.

The passport can however prove valuable if it collects and processes climate neutrality and circular economy data. Such data would provide learnings for industry, facilitating new business models and services.

Join this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan and whether its new initiatives, such as the digital product passport, will achieve the transparency for products that policymakers are looking for. And how easy will it be for industry, big and small, to comply with?

2.12.0.0

In order to achieve the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality target, the European Commission is planning to announce new initiatives addressing the entire life cycle of products.

The objective is a design of products that allows circularity, the promotion of circular economy processes and sustainable consumption, and the initiatives should ensure that waste is prevented and that the resources used remain in the EU economy for as long as possible.

The Sustainable Products Initiative, which is expected to be published in the first quarter of 2022, is a cornerstone of the EU’s endeavours to create a circular economy. It will include proposals to revise the Ecodesign Directive and other legislative measures with the aim to make products placed on the EU market more sustainable.

The European Commission considers detailed and comprehensive information about the composition and nature of products to be a key factor for an effective reuse or recycling of goods. In this respect, the potential of ‘digital’ is key to make information about products more transparent.

The Sustainable Products Initiative will therefore include rules for setting requirements on mandatory sustainability labelling and/or disclosure of information to market actors along value chains in the form of a digital product passport.

A fear of industry is that additional bureaucratic burdens, especially for SMEs, will be created. They claim that a digital product passport could mean the disclosure of internal company data and technological know-how, which could prevent companies from innovating and put them at a competitive disadvantage.

The passport can however prove valuable if it collects and processes climate neutrality and circular economy data. Such data would provide learnings for industry, facilitating new business models and services.

Join this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plan and whether its new initiatives, such as the digital product passport, will achieve the transparency for products that policymakers are looking for. And how easy will it be for industry, big and small, to comply with?

2.12.0.0

The question of how to achieve sustainable agriculture and a balanced relationship between the environment, farmers and consumers is more and more pressing.

Biodiversity is one key player closely linked to and influenced by this relationship, as well as by agricultural practices and production.

Technological solutions are needed for ensuring sustainable agriculture and can contribute to greater biodiversity. One of these solutions is glyphosate, a herbicide used for weed control in the EU. The European Commission granted a five-year approval for glyphosate in 2017 and it is currently approved for use until 15 December 2022.

The question of how to achieve sustainable agriculture and a balanced relationship between the environment, farmers and consumers is more and more pressing.

Biodiversity is one key player closely linked to and influenced by this relationship, as well as by agricultural practices and production.

Technological solutions are needed for ensuring sustainable agriculture and can contribute to greater biodiversity. One of these solutions is glyphosate, a herbicide used for weed control in the EU. The European Commission granted a five-year approval for glyphosate in 2017 and it is currently approved for use until 15 December 2022.

The brewing sector continues to explore a variety of new ideas to become more sustainable and more ecologically responsible.

Since 2020, European brewers have been taking steps to align themselves with the aims of the new European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy.

Many brewers have expressed a willingness to reach net zero emissions in their production processes by 2030, by further reducing emissions through energy efficiency and accelerating the transition to renewable energy.

A big part of the industry's carbon footprint, however, comes from other parts of the value chain, where agriculture, packaging, distribution and cooling represent the majority of emissions outside of breweries.

The brewing sector continues to explore a variety of new ideas to become more sustainable and more ecologically responsible.

Since 2020, European brewers have been taking steps to align themselves with the aims of the new European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy.

Many brewers have expressed a willingness to reach net zero emissions in their production processes by 2030, by further reducing emissions through energy efficiency and accelerating the transition to renewable energy.

A big part of the industry's carbon footprint, however, comes from other parts of the value chain, where agriculture, packaging, distribution and cooling represent the majority of emissions outside of breweries.

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in the EU after cardiovascular disease. 2.6 million people are diagnosed every year. Considering that Europe has a quarter of all cancer cases and less than 10% of the world’s population, cancer presents a serious threat to Europe's society and economy, with an overall economic impact of €100 billion annually.

Earlier this year, the European Commission launched its “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan”, with the aim of tackling the entire disease pathway around four key action areas: prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and quality of life of cancer patients and survivors. Breast cancer is a strong focus of this plan.

Cancer is the second leading cause of mortality in the EU after cardiovascular disease. 2.6 million people are diagnosed every year. Considering that Europe has a quarter of all cancer cases and less than 10% of the world’s population, cancer presents a serious threat to Europe's society and economy, with an overall economic impact of €100 billion annually.

Earlier this year, the European Commission launched its “Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan”, with the aim of tackling the entire disease pathway around four key action areas: prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and quality of life of cancer patients and survivors. Breast cancer is a strong focus of this plan.

The new EU Circular Economy Action Plan is one of the main building blocks of the European Green Deal for a climate-neutral, resource-efficient and competitive economy. The proposals that are sketched out as part of the Action Plan are set to influence almost every stage of Europeans’ lives, by ensuring that products and materials we see everywhere, from home to office, or school and doctors’ clinics, are truly sustainable.

The upcoming review of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) will aim to ensure that “all packaging on the EU market are recyclable or reusable in an economically viable way by 2030”. It will build on the last revision of the PPWD that set new recycling targets for packaging, measuring the actual recycling of packaging materials – not just collection rates.

Closed loop recycling, whereby packaging is collected and recycled into new packaging, has a key role to play in a well-functioning Circular Economy that keeps resources productive in the economy for as long as possible, reducing the use of virgin raw materials and CO2 emissions, and saving energy. EU and national policymakers across Europe are debating what the solutions are to promote closed loop recycling.

The new EU Circular Economy Action Plan is one of the main building blocks of the European Green Deal for a climate-neutral, resource-efficient and competitive economy. The proposals that are sketched out as part of the Action Plan are set to influence almost every stage of Europeans’ lives, by ensuring that products and materials we see everywhere, from home to office, or school and doctors’ clinics, are truly sustainable.

The upcoming review of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD) will aim to ensure that “all packaging on the EU market are recyclable or reusable in an economically viable way by 2030”. It will build on the last revision of the PPWD that set new recycling targets for packaging, measuring the actual recycling of packaging materials – not just collection rates.

Closed loop recycling, whereby packaging is collected and recycled into new packaging, has a key role to play in a well-functioning Circular Economy that keeps resources productive in the economy for as long as possible, reducing the use of virgin raw materials and CO2 emissions, and saving energy. EU and national policymakers across Europe are debating what the solutions are to promote closed loop recycling.

Cybersecurity is one of the European Commission's top priorities and a cornerstone of the digital and connected Europe. An increase of cyber attacks during the COVID crisis has shown how important it is to protect hospitals, research centres and other critical infrastructure.

According to the Commission, the review of the Directive on Security of Network and Information Systems (NIS2) is an essential step towards a more resilient Europe, ensuring state-of-the-art risk management of current and emerging cyber threats to vital sectors of the EU economy and society.

Cybersecurity is one of the European Commission's top priorities and a cornerstone of the digital and connected Europe. An increase of cyber attacks during the COVID crisis has shown how important it is to protect hospitals, research centres and other critical infrastructure.

According to the Commission, the review of the Directive on Security of Network and Information Systems (NIS2) is an essential step towards a more resilient Europe, ensuring state-of-the-art risk management of current and emerging cyber threats to vital sectors of the EU economy and society.

With the climate emergency at the top of the EU agenda and efforts due to intensify at COP 26 in November to implement the UN SDGs to fight climate change, concrete steps need to be established to rapidly reduce carbon emissions.

Industry sources estimate that food production from farm to fork represents 30% of total carbon emissions within the EU, with the manufacturing process accounting for 11% of this share, or 3% of the total.

Industry is exploring a roadmap that could serve as a basis for the decarbonisation of the food manufacturing sector, so as to significantly contribute to the EU carbon neutrality target and to the implementation of the United Nations SDGs.

With the climate emergency at the top of the EU agenda and efforts due to intensify at COP 26 in November to implement the UN SDGs to fight climate change, concrete steps need to be established to rapidly reduce carbon emissions.

Industry sources estimate that food production from farm to fork represents 30% of total carbon emissions within the EU, with the manufacturing process accounting for 11% of this share, or 3% of the total.

Industry is exploring a roadmap that could serve as a basis for the decarbonisation of the food manufacturing sector, so as to significantly contribute to the EU carbon neutrality target and to the implementation of the United Nations SDGs.

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform, proposed by the European Commission in June 2018, introduces a more flexible, performance and results-based approach that takes into account local conditions and needs, while increasing EU level ambitions in terms of sustainability.

The Member States’ national administrations will from now on play a stronger role in devising and implementing their own CAP Strategic Plans according to their priorities and specific needs. But this also means an increased responsibility for monitoring and improving their delivery and performance, which need to be linked to the objectives agreed at EU level and specified in the Strategic Plan Regulation.

This process also changes the way interventions in Pillar 1 and 2 are regulated and administered by different entities. From 2021, they will be incorporated into one Strategic Plan for each Member State with a view to enhancing complementarity and performance.

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform, proposed by the European Commission in June 2018, introduces a more flexible, performance and results-based approach that takes into account local conditions and needs, while increasing EU level ambitions in terms of sustainability.

The Member States’ national administrations will from now on play a stronger role in devising and implementing their own CAP Strategic Plans according to their priorities and specific needs. But this also means an increased responsibility for monitoring and improving their delivery and performance, which need to be linked to the objectives agreed at EU level and specified in the Strategic Plan Regulation.

This process also changes the way interventions in Pillar 1 and 2 are regulated and administered by different entities. From 2021, they will be incorporated into one Strategic Plan for each Member State with a view to enhancing complementarity and performance.

Climate change remains an imminent threat at the core of many discussions between heads of state, industry and civil society. These stakeholders see recovery from the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity to build back better by creating greener and more sustainable economies.

Climate change remains an imminent threat at the core of many discussions between heads of state, industry and civil society. These stakeholders see recovery from the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity to build back better by creating greener and more sustainable economies.

Cancer is a top health priority for the European Union, as every year, 3.5 million people in the EU are diagnosed with cancer, and 1.3 million die from it. The European Commission has taken critical action in regards to cancer. Europe’s recently published Beating Cancer Plan highlights the need to improve the lives of cancer patients during their treatment, all the while following a holistic approach.

The plan however, does not take into account the need to reconsider the approach to improvement of cancer patients’ lives. In this regard, integrative oncology is a key therapeutic solution that aims to improve the care of cancer patients and survivors by bringing the best of conventional treatments and the best of complementary therapies to the patient in a coordinated and personalised treatment plan.

The suffering caused by cancer on patients all over Europe calls for protecting their access to all the therapeutic solutions that might help. This includes complementary medicines, in the framework of integrative oncology, as well as support treatments therapies involving it, which numerous scientific
studies indicated the benefits of on the quality of life, symptom resilience and general capacity of survival of cancer patients.

Cancer is a top health priority for the European Union, as every year, 3.5 million people in the EU are diagnosed with cancer, and 1.3 million die from it. The European Commission has taken critical action in regards to cancer. Europe’s recently published Beating Cancer Plan highlights the need to improve the lives of cancer patients during their treatment, all the while following a holistic approach.

The plan however, does not take into account the need to reconsider the approach to improvement of cancer patients’ lives. In this regard, integrative oncology is a key therapeutic solution that aims to improve the care of cancer patients and survivors by bringing the best of conventional treatments and the best of complementary therapies to the patient in a coordinated and personalised treatment plan.

The suffering caused by cancer on patients all over Europe calls for protecting their access to all the therapeutic solutions that might help. This includes complementary medicines, in the framework of integrative oncology, as well as support treatments therapies involving it, which numerous scientific
studies indicated the benefits of on the quality of life, symptom resilience and general capacity of survival of cancer patients.

Enhancing bilateral cooperation between Europe and the United States is key to boosting bilateral trade and investment, avoiding unnecessary barriers to trade, and strengthening global cooperation on digital policy, technology, and supply chains. The launch of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) on 29 September was a groundbreaking step in helping achieve a common vision and standards for governing new technologies and establishing effective and innovative Transatlantic tech policy for all.

ITI - The Information Technology Industry Council - is launching an event featuring tech industry leaders and policy makers on both sides of the Atlantic to discuss the future of the TTC and how industry and policy can work together to make this new venture a success.

Enhancing bilateral cooperation between Europe and the United States is key to boosting bilateral trade and investment, avoiding unnecessary barriers to trade, and strengthening global cooperation on digital policy, technology, and supply chains. The launch of the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) on 29 September was a groundbreaking step in helping achieve a common vision and standards for governing new technologies and establishing effective and innovative Transatlantic tech policy for all.

ITI - The Information Technology Industry Council - is launching an event featuring tech industry leaders and policy makers on both sides of the Atlantic to discuss the future of the TTC and how industry and policy can work together to make this new venture a success.

As the EU moves away from its dependency on fossil fuel, hydrogen is expected to play a key role in our future energy systems, and for delivering on the aim set out in the European Green Deal of achieving carbon-neutrality in the EU by 2050.

The cleanest option of hydrogen is renewable hydrogen, often referred to as green hydrogen. It is created by putting renewable energy sources like wind and solar power through an electrolyser, and its only by-product is water. Accordingly, its production is almost emission-free, which is why it is the form of production generating the most interest – from policymakers, scientists and investors.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss what we know and what we don’t yet know about green hydrogen, and when and how to use hydrogen most effectively to decarbonise Europe.

2.12.0.0

As the EU moves away from its dependency on fossil fuel, hydrogen is expected to play a key role in our future energy systems, and for delivering on the aim set out in the European Green Deal of achieving carbon-neutrality in the EU by 2050.

The cleanest option of hydrogen is renewable hydrogen, often referred to as green hydrogen. It is created by putting renewable energy sources like wind and solar power through an electrolyser, and its only by-product is water. Accordingly, its production is almost emission-free, which is why it is the form of production generating the most interest – from policymakers, scientists and investors.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss what we know and what we don’t yet know about green hydrogen, and when and how to use hydrogen most effectively to decarbonise Europe.

2.12.0.0

Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the heart of the digital transformation and can significantly bolster the European economy. Automation of processes will reshape workplaces across industries, increasing efficiency and productivity and creating new opportunities for innovation and professional development. Conversely, these changes also raise legitimate concerns about potential job losses and the need to help upskill and reskill workers in the sectors which will face the most significant disruption.

The EU AI Act will set out the regulatory framework for the way AI will be used across all industries. The legislation, combined with investments into AI and skills through mechanisms such as the Digital Europe Programme and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, could prove to be a game-changer for Europe, helping it to amplify its ambitions and become a global leader in developing cutting-edge, trustworthy AI. The AI Act will need to balance considerations of the benefits of AI to European workers and the economy with concerns on the potential widening skills gap and social inequalities.

This second EURACTIV virtual conference of the 'Future of Work Lab debate series' will focus on the opportunities and risks posed by AI to the workforce and the development of standards for AI. Questions to be addressed include:

-How can AI be regulated to be true to the EU's core values?
-How can innovations in AI contribute to workforce development?
-How can policymakers ensure AI implementation in the workplace is ethical and fair?
-Is there scope for a digital social contract to ensure an inclusive future of work?

2.12.0.0

Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the heart of the digital transformation and can significantly bolster the European economy. Automation of processes will reshape workplaces across industries, increasing efficiency and productivity and creating new opportunities for innovation and professional development. Conversely, these changes also raise legitimate concerns about potential job losses and the need to help upskill and reskill workers in the sectors which will face the most significant disruption.

The EU AI Act will set out the regulatory framework for the way AI will be used across all industries. The legislation, combined with investments into AI and skills through mechanisms such as the Digital Europe Programme and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, could prove to be a game-changer for Europe, helping it to amplify its ambitions and become a global leader in developing cutting-edge, trustworthy AI. The AI Act will need to balance considerations of the benefits of AI to European workers and the economy with concerns on the potential widening skills gap and social inequalities.

This second EURACTIV virtual conference of the 'Future of Work Lab debate series' will focus on the opportunities and risks posed by AI to the workforce and the development of standards for AI. Questions to be addressed include:

-How can AI be regulated to be true to the EU's core values?
-How can innovations in AI contribute to workforce development?
-How can policymakers ensure AI implementation in the workplace is ethical and fair?
-Is there scope for a digital social contract to ensure an inclusive future of work?

2.12.0.0

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that connectivity is essential, more than ever before, for citizens, businesses and institutions across the EU. Electronic communications networks, in particular very high capacity networks, have played a crucial role in the response to the crisis by enabling remote working, learning and healthcare, and personal communication and entertainment services.

The OECD reports that, since the start of the crisis, demand for broadband communication services has soared, with some operators experiencing as much as a 60% increase in internet traffic compared to before the crisis. Industry sources estimate that data traffic will surge throughout the region, quadrupling overall by 2026.

But a new digital divide has also emerged, not only between well-connected urban areas and rural and remote territories, but also between those who can fully benefit from an enriched, accessible and secure digital space with a full range of services, and those who cannot. The main goal for connectivity in the EU’s Digital Decade is for every European household to have access to high-speed internet coverage by 2025 and gigabit connectivity by 2030.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss the EU's digital future, and the value of connectivity for social and economic development. Questions to be discussed include:
- How does the EU compare with other regions and economies, including the US and Asia, in 5G development?
- What policies can best support future growing demand for mobile connectivity?

2.12.0.0

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that connectivity is essential, more than ever before, for citizens, businesses and institutions across the EU. Electronic communications networks, in particular very high capacity networks, have played a crucial role in the response to the crisis by enabling remote working, learning and healthcare, and personal communication and entertainment services.

The OECD reports that, since the start of the crisis, demand for broadband communication services has soared, with some operators experiencing as much as a 60% increase in internet traffic compared to before the crisis. Industry sources estimate that data traffic will surge throughout the region, quadrupling overall by 2026.

But a new digital divide has also emerged, not only between well-connected urban areas and rural and remote territories, but also between those who can fully benefit from an enriched, accessible and secure digital space with a full range of services, and those who cannot. The main goal for connectivity in the EU’s Digital Decade is for every European household to have access to high-speed internet coverage by 2025 and gigabit connectivity by 2030.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss the EU's digital future, and the value of connectivity for social and economic development. Questions to be discussed include:
- How does the EU compare with other regions and economies, including the US and Asia, in 5G development?
- What policies can best support future growing demand for mobile connectivity?

2.12.0.0

Batteries are key to the EU's transition to a climate neutral economy, given the role they play in the green transport revolution and the storage of renewable energy. A carbon neutral economy, as outlined in the European Green Deal, would require scaling up global battery production by a factor of 19, according to the World Economic Forum.

In the transport sector, the growing demand for electric vehicles (EV) means a rise in demand for batteries as well as an increase in the demand for battery raw materials such as cobalt, nickel and lithium. For EV batteries and energy storage, the EU will need up to 18 times more lithium and 5 times more cobalt by 2030, and nearly 60 times more lithium and 15 times more cobalt by 2050, compared with the current supply to the whole EU economy.

The successful roll-out of electric vehicles in the EU depends on the co-operation of many stakeholders. Policymakers, academia, industry and civil society must together find solutions to make e-transport a reality for all EU citizens. There are many moving parts to the transition, and a supportive regulatory framework to support this innovative market is crucial.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss how the EU can lead battery innovation, and ensure that e-transport plays its role on the road to climate neutrality in 2050. Our panellists will tackle questions including:

Is the developing EU regulatory framework for batteries fit for purpose?
Can it respond fast enough to rapid innovation?
What are the bottlenecks for a comprehensive recycling system for batteries?
How can different EU strategic industries collaborate in order to increase competitiveness and accelerate innovation?

Batteries are key to the EU's transition to a climate neutral economy, given the role they play in the green transport revolution and the storage of renewable energy. A carbon neutral economy, as outlined in the European Green Deal, would require scaling up global battery production by a factor of 19, according to the World Economic Forum.

In the transport sector, the growing demand for electric vehicles (EV) means a rise in demand for batteries as well as an increase in the demand for battery raw materials such as cobalt, nickel and lithium. For EV batteries and energy storage, the EU will need up to 18 times more lithium and 5 times more cobalt by 2030, and nearly 60 times more lithium and 15 times more cobalt by 2050, compared with the current supply to the whole EU economy.

The successful roll-out of electric vehicles in the EU depends on the co-operation of many stakeholders. Policymakers, academia, industry and civil society must together find solutions to make e-transport a reality for all EU citizens. There are many moving parts to the transition, and a supportive regulatory framework to support this innovative market is crucial.

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss how the EU can lead battery innovation, and ensure that e-transport plays its role on the road to climate neutrality in 2050. Our panellists will tackle questions including:

Is the developing EU regulatory framework for batteries fit for purpose?
Can it respond fast enough to rapid innovation?
What are the bottlenecks for a comprehensive recycling system for batteries?
How can different EU strategic industries collaborate in order to increase competitiveness and accelerate innovation?

Food systems cannot be resilient to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic if they are not sustainable. We need to redesign our food systems which today account for nearly one-third of global GHG emissions, consume large amounts of natural resources, result in biodiversity loss and negative health impacts (due to both under- and over-nutrition) and do not allow fair economic returns and livelihoods for all actors, in particular for primary producers.

The Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies, published in 2020, have been driving the key discussions on what sustainable production of food should look like. In line with the European Green Deal, they proposed ambitious EU actions and commitments to transform our food systems and halt biodiversity loss.

Since the publication of the strategies, several reports have been published that look at their impact, including a report by the European Commission's Joint Research Center. USDA (the United States Department of Agriculture) has released a report looking at the potential economic and related impacts of the strategies. And Wageningen University & Research is due to publish their report in October.

Listen to this EURACTIV Scientific Dialogue to hear the impact of the targets and the findings of the different impact assessment reports. Questions to be discussed include:

• Despite differing methodologies, what are the common trends and where does the research agree?
• What requires further research?

2.12.0.0

Food systems cannot be resilient to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic if they are not sustainable. We need to redesign our food systems which today account for nearly one-third of global GHG emissions, consume large amounts of natural resources, result in biodiversity loss and negative health impacts (due to both under- and over-nutrition) and do not allow fair economic returns and livelihoods for all actors, in particular for primary producers.

The Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies, published in 2020, have been driving the key discussions on what sustainable production of food should look like. In line with the European Green Deal, they proposed ambitious EU actions and commitments to transform our food systems and halt biodiversity loss.

Since the publication of the strategies, several reports have been published that look at their impact, including a report by the European Commission's Joint Research Center. USDA (the United States Department of Agriculture) has released a report looking at the potential economic and related impacts of the strategies. And Wageningen University & Research is due to publish their report in October.

Listen to this EURACTIV Scientific Dialogue to hear the impact of the targets and the findings of the different impact assessment reports. Questions to be discussed include:

• Despite differing methodologies, what are the common trends and where does the research agree?
• What requires further research?

2.12.0.0

The second event of a EURACTIV - GIGAEurope Digital Debate Series

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the role and perception of digitalisation in our societies, and accelerated its pace. Consequently, there is increasing focus on the importance of the infrastructure that enables large numbers of people to work, communicate, educate, shop and socialise wherever they are. This focus has also led to more questions about the 'digital divide’.

Sir Tim Berners-Lee says too many young people do not have internet access and the digital divide has widened during the pandemic. He called on governments to invest to provide universal broadband by 2030. "We can't afford not to do it," he wrote in his annual letter to mark the anniversary of the world wide web.

On March 9th, the Commission presented a vision, targets and avenues for a successful digital transformation of Europe by 2030. This is also critical to achieve the transition towards a climate neutral, circular and resilient economy. The EU's ambition is to be digitally sovereign in an open and interconnected world, and to pursue digital policies that empower people and businesses to seize a human centred, sustainable and more prosperous digital future.

A digitally skilled population and highly skilled digital professionals are key priorities of the Commission's ambitions for a digital transformation. The targets set by the Commission include that by 2030, at least 80% of all adults should have basic digital skills, and there should be 20 million employed ICT specialists in the EU – while more women should take up such jobs.

Excellent and secure connectivity for everybody and everywhere in Europe is a prerequisite for a society in which every business and citizen can fully participate. Therefore, by 2030, the Commission wants all European households to be covered by a Gigabit network, with all populated areas covered by 5G. Improved broadband connectivity will result in a more inclusive, resilient and innovative Europe. People will have smoother services to learn digital skills and gain access to more jobs and flexible working conditions.

Join this EURACTIV – GIGAEurope Digital Debate on the role of connectivity to close the digital divides. What investments are needed to roll-out gigabit networks and 5G to reach every European? How to overcome the digital differences that persist between countries and regions? How to reach coherence between Member States’ Strategic Roadmaps to reach the 2030 Digital Decade targets?

2.12.0.0

The second event of a EURACTIV - GIGAEurope Digital Debate Series

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the role and perception of digitalisation in our societies, and accelerated its pace. Consequently, there is increasing focus on the importance of the infrastructure that enables large numbers of people to work, communicate, educate, shop and socialise wherever they are. This focus has also led to more questions about the 'digital divide’.

Sir Tim Berners-Lee says too many young people do not have internet access and the digital divide has widened during the pandemic. He called on governments to invest to provide universal broadband by 2030. "We can't afford not to do it," he wrote in his annual letter to mark the anniversary of the world wide web.

On March 9th, the Commission presented a vision, targets and avenues for a successful digital transformation of Europe by 2030. This is also critical to achieve the transition towards a climate neutral, circular and resilient economy. The EU's ambition is to be digitally sovereign in an open and interconnected world, and to pursue digital policies that empower people and businesses to seize a human centred, sustainable and more prosperous digital future.

A digitally skilled population and highly skilled digital professionals are key priorities of the Commission's ambitions for a digital transformation. The targets set by the Commission include that by 2030, at least 80% of all adults should have basic digital skills, and there should be 20 million employed ICT specialists in the EU – while more women should take up such jobs.

Excellent and secure connectivity for everybody and everywhere in Europe is a prerequisite for a society in which every business and citizen can fully participate. Therefore, by 2030, the Commission wants all European households to be covered by a Gigabit network, with all populated areas covered by 5G. Improved broadband connectivity will result in a more inclusive, resilient and innovative Europe. People will have smoother services to learn digital skills and gain access to more jobs and flexible working conditions.

Join this EURACTIV – GIGAEurope Digital Debate on the role of connectivity to close the digital divides. What investments are needed to roll-out gigabit networks and 5G to reach every European? How to overcome the digital differences that persist between countries and regions? How to reach coherence between Member States’ Strategic Roadmaps to reach the 2030 Digital Decade targets?

2.12.0.0

In an effort to better understand the policy and access environment in Europe for people living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), SMA Europe and Biogen, in collaboration with Charles River Associates, have developed the White Paper ‘Assessing the policy and access environment across European countries for SMA patients’ and the accompanying ‘SMA Policy & Access Tracker’. These offer a comparative assessment of the status of SMA access and policy across 23 European countries and put forward policy recommendations to improve access to care for people living with SMA in Europe.

With this interactive multi-stakeholder virtual roundtable, SMA Europe and Biogen presented their work and bring light to the challenges faced by people living with SMA. The event brought together national and EU-level stakeholders with an interest in SMA and neuromuscular rare diseases and provide a platform to analyse issues surrounding SMA care in Europe.

The event offered a unique opportunity to hear more about the policy and access environment across 23 European countries for people living with SMA, to learn about best practices and gaps in SMA care and to gain a greater understanding of how to tackle these with clear policy actions.

THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY: SMA Europe and Biogen
MEDIA PARTNER: EURACTIV

2.12.0.0 2.12.0.0

In an effort to better understand the policy and access environment in Europe for people living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), SMA Europe and Biogen, in collaboration with Charles River Associates, have developed the White Paper ‘Assessing the policy and access environment across European countries for SMA patients’ and the accompanying ‘SMA Policy & Access Tracker’. These offer a comparative assessment of the status of SMA access and policy across 23 European countries and put forward policy recommendations to improve access to care for people living with SMA in Europe.

With this interactive multi-stakeholder virtual roundtable, SMA Europe and Biogen presented their work and bring light to the challenges faced by people living with SMA. The event brought together national and EU-level stakeholders with an interest in SMA and neuromuscular rare diseases and provide a platform to analyse issues surrounding SMA care in Europe.

The event offered a unique opportunity to hear more about the policy and access environment across 23 European countries for people living with SMA, to learn about best practices and gaps in SMA care and to gain a greater understanding of how to tackle these with clear policy actions.

THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY: SMA Europe and Biogen
MEDIA PARTNER: EURACTIV

2.12.0.0 2.12.0.0

Over the last decade, responsible sourcing has become a topic of broad interest. Policymakers, consumers and companies have all referred to it as a way to address the sustainability risks of global mineral supply chains, but the term has also been used to refer to a wide range of other sustainability objectives.

An industry that is particularly susceptible to the issue is battery manufacturing, as it is largely dependent on critical raw material imports. In the past few years, stakeholders have highlighted supply chain risks related to raw materials in batteries, comprising environmental, social and governance risks.

To work towards responsible sourcing, the European Union has been investing in several initiatives, most of which are aligned with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) “Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas”.

In the field of batteries, the European Commission is taking concrete actions. In its Proposal for a regulation concerning batteries and waste batteries, it has outlined responsible sourcing as a means to achieve the objective of reducing environmental and social impacts. The proposal highlights the essential role of batteries to achieve the EU objective of decarbonisation of the economy and other challenges related to sustainable development.

Apart from responsible sourcing, the Commission is also working to improve the EU regulatory framework on sustainable corporate governance in general. The framework would enable companies to focus on long-term sustainable value creation rather than short-term benefits. It would also help companies to better manage sustainability-related matters in their own operations and value chains in regards to social and human rights, climate change and the environment.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out about sustainable governance, responsible sourcing and the importance of due diligence in the battery supply chain.

Over the last decade, responsible sourcing has become a topic of broad interest. Policymakers, consumers and companies have all referred to it as a way to address the sustainability risks of global mineral supply chains, but the term has also been used to refer to a wide range of other sustainability objectives.

An industry that is particularly susceptible to the issue is battery manufacturing, as it is largely dependent on critical raw material imports. In the past few years, stakeholders have highlighted supply chain risks related to raw materials in batteries, comprising environmental, social and governance risks.

To work towards responsible sourcing, the European Union has been investing in several initiatives, most of which are aligned with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) “Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas”.

In the field of batteries, the European Commission is taking concrete actions. In its Proposal for a regulation concerning batteries and waste batteries, it has outlined responsible sourcing as a means to achieve the objective of reducing environmental and social impacts. The proposal highlights the essential role of batteries to achieve the EU objective of decarbonisation of the economy and other challenges related to sustainable development.

Apart from responsible sourcing, the Commission is also working to improve the EU regulatory framework on sustainable corporate governance in general. The framework would enable companies to focus on long-term sustainable value creation rather than short-term benefits. It would also help companies to better manage sustainability-related matters in their own operations and value chains in regards to social and human rights, climate change and the environment.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out about sustainable governance, responsible sourcing and the importance of due diligence in the battery supply chain.

The COVID-19 public health crisis has highlighted that the EU and Member States need to do more regarding preparedness and response planning for epidemics and other serious cross-border health threats.

The pandemic has revealed the lack of medical countermeasure stockpiles at EU and Member State level and the vulnerability of EU supply chains for critical medical countermeasures. It has also highlighted the lack of a coordinated and systematic EU-level approach to support the development, production, procurement and purchase of necessary vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical devices.

In her 2020 State of the Union address, EC President von der Leyen called on Europe to draw lessons from the current crisis and build a European Health Union. In November 2020, the Commission put forward a set of proposals to strengthen the EU's health security framework and reinforce the crisis preparedness and response role of key EU agencies.

The pandemic has also accelerated the digital transformation of healthcare, and boosted innovation in how patients can receive care. “A Europe fit for the digital age” is one of the six political priorities of the Commission 2019-2024, and the EU is working on a digital transformation of health and care.

What else can the EU and Member States do to make our health systems more resilient? rewatch this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and how our health systems can adapt and become more resilient. The likelihood of another global pandemic in the next 20 years is a reality. Whenever it may come, there will be no excuse for a lack of forward planning.

The COVID-19 public health crisis has highlighted that the EU and Member States need to do more regarding preparedness and response planning for epidemics and other serious cross-border health threats.

The pandemic has revealed the lack of medical countermeasure stockpiles at EU and Member State level and the vulnerability of EU supply chains for critical medical countermeasures. It has also highlighted the lack of a coordinated and systematic EU-level approach to support the development, production, procurement and purchase of necessary vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics as well as personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical devices.

In her 2020 State of the Union address, EC President von der Leyen called on Europe to draw lessons from the current crisis and build a European Health Union. In November 2020, the Commission put forward a set of proposals to strengthen the EU's health security framework and reinforce the crisis preparedness and response role of key EU agencies.

The pandemic has also accelerated the digital transformation of healthcare, and boosted innovation in how patients can receive care. “A Europe fit for the digital age” is one of the six political priorities of the Commission 2019-2024, and the EU is working on a digital transformation of health and care.

What else can the EU and Member States do to make our health systems more resilient? rewatch this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and how our health systems can adapt and become more resilient. The likelihood of another global pandemic in the next 20 years is a reality. Whenever it may come, there will be no excuse for a lack of forward planning.

The United Nations climate summit, COP26, represents an opportunity to agree to overdue global action. The summit this November will bring together stakeholders from government, industry, and civil society to accelerate actions towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The EU is leading the global climate agenda through ambitious policies at home and close cooperation with international partners. In line with the Paris Agreement, the EU submitted a new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC secretariat in December, committing to a reduction of at least 55% net of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This objective sets the EU on a pathway towards climate neutrality in 2050. Embracing this challenge and the related policy framework can lead to opportunities to build a robust and sustainable EU economy.

To achieve this however, actions are required across all sectors of the economy. Several pieces of legislation will undergo a revision process after the launching of the “Fit for 55” package by the European Commission: the EU Emissions Trading System, the Renewable Energy Directive as well as the carbon border adjustment mechanism. Additionally, multi-stakeholder collaborative platforms, such as the EU Climate Pact, can help move climate action forward, ensuring no one is left behind.

Ahead of COP26, several priority action areas were outlined: agreeing a steep change in commitments to emissions reduction, strengthening adaptation to climate change impacts, getting finance flowing for climate action, enhancing international collaboration on energy transition, clean road transport, and nature.

Meanwhile, April’s Leaders Summit on Climate, organised by the Biden Administration, was seen as a turning point in the role of the US in the global climate agenda, backed by the announcement of a reviewed US Climate Plan (NDC), with an ambitious greenhouse gas emissions target, and a political commitment to streamline global efforts to address the climate crisis and curb carbon emissions. Furthermore, the conclusions of June’s G7 Summit, which formalised several commitments, such as an undertaking by all members to set net-zero targets in the 2030s, gave renewed impetus to global climate efforts. Importantly, the pledge of G7 nations to “submitting long-term strategies that set out concrete pathways to net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050 as soon as possible, making utmost efforts to do so by COP26,” according to the Summit’s communique, has increased expectations ahead of November’s event. However, challenges remain: the G20 Environment Ministers’ Meeting in July failed to reach a “unanimous consensus” on setting a date for coal phase-out. Further efforts will be made for a deal to be struck at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in late October.

Relisten this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out what partnerships, commitments and innovative solutions are needed to achieve emissions cuts globally. And knowing that the climate emergency must be tackled collectively on a global level, can governments capitalise on the current political momentum to achieve real progress at COP26?

The United Nations climate summit, COP26, represents an opportunity to agree to overdue global action. The summit this November will bring together stakeholders from government, industry, and civil society to accelerate actions towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

The EU is leading the global climate agenda through ambitious policies at home and close cooperation with international partners. In line with the Paris Agreement, the EU submitted a new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC secretariat in December, committing to a reduction of at least 55% net of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. This objective sets the EU on a pathway towards climate neutrality in 2050. Embracing this challenge and the related policy framework can lead to opportunities to build a robust and sustainable EU economy.

To achieve this however, actions are required across all sectors of the economy. Several pieces of legislation will undergo a revision process after the launching of the “Fit for 55” package by the European Commission: the EU Emissions Trading System, the Renewable Energy Directive as well as the carbon border adjustment mechanism. Additionally, multi-stakeholder collaborative platforms, such as the EU Climate Pact, can help move climate action forward, ensuring no one is left behind.

Ahead of COP26, several priority action areas were outlined: agreeing a steep change in commitments to emissions reduction, strengthening adaptation to climate change impacts, getting finance flowing for climate action, enhancing international collaboration on energy transition, clean road transport, and nature.

Meanwhile, April’s Leaders Summit on Climate, organised by the Biden Administration, was seen as a turning point in the role of the US in the global climate agenda, backed by the announcement of a reviewed US Climate Plan (NDC), with an ambitious greenhouse gas emissions target, and a political commitment to streamline global efforts to address the climate crisis and curb carbon emissions. Furthermore, the conclusions of June’s G7 Summit, which formalised several commitments, such as an undertaking by all members to set net-zero targets in the 2030s, gave renewed impetus to global climate efforts. Importantly, the pledge of G7 nations to “submitting long-term strategies that set out concrete pathways to net-zero greenhouse emissions by 2050 as soon as possible, making utmost efforts to do so by COP26,” according to the Summit’s communique, has increased expectations ahead of November’s event. However, challenges remain: the G20 Environment Ministers’ Meeting in July failed to reach a “unanimous consensus” on setting a date for coal phase-out. Further efforts will be made for a deal to be struck at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in late October.

Relisten this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out what partnerships, commitments and innovative solutions are needed to achieve emissions cuts globally. And knowing that the climate emergency must be tackled collectively on a global level, can governments capitalise on the current political momentum to achieve real progress at COP26?

n its effort to become climate-neutral by 2050, the EU has highlighted the need to reduce transport emissions by 90% by 2050 and ramp up the production and large-scale deployment of sustainable alternative transport fuels.

In this context, the Commission is putting forward the ReFuelEU Aviation initiative, with the aim of reducing the aviation sector’s current reliance on fossil jet fuel and rely increasingly on the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in the years to come.

According to the European Waste-based & Advanced Biofuels Association (EWABA), an undifferentiated SAF blending mandate as currently envisaged by the EU Commission will, for the period 2025-2030, heavily rely on waste lipid feedstocks listed in Annex IX of the Renewable Energy Directive (REDII) and lead to unintended negative consequences on attaining EU targets in the REDII, FQD and EU Hydrogen Strategy.

If SAF from waste lipids gets a protected market through a blending mandate as soon as 2025, EWABA claims the waste biodiesel industry will be deprived of feedstock to process pretty rapidly, forcing EU production plants to close down in the coming years. They suggest this possible diversion from the ongoing efforts to decarbonise the road and maritime transport sectors for use in aviation would result in at least 1 million tons of additional GHG emissions released into the atmosphere by 2025.

Does such a policy go against the Commission’s own technology neutrality principle? Could it harm climate mitigation efforts and also hamper the development of more scalable technologies that could ensure the long term decarbonisation of the aviation industry?

n its effort to become climate-neutral by 2050, the EU has highlighted the need to reduce transport emissions by 90% by 2050 and ramp up the production and large-scale deployment of sustainable alternative transport fuels.

In this context, the Commission is putting forward the ReFuelEU Aviation initiative, with the aim of reducing the aviation sector’s current reliance on fossil jet fuel and rely increasingly on the use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) in the years to come.

According to the European Waste-based & Advanced Biofuels Association (EWABA), an undifferentiated SAF blending mandate as currently envisaged by the EU Commission will, for the period 2025-2030, heavily rely on waste lipid feedstocks listed in Annex IX of the Renewable Energy Directive (REDII) and lead to unintended negative consequences on attaining EU targets in the REDII, FQD and EU Hydrogen Strategy.

If SAF from waste lipids gets a protected market through a blending mandate as soon as 2025, EWABA claims the waste biodiesel industry will be deprived of feedstock to process pretty rapidly, forcing EU production plants to close down in the coming years. They suggest this possible diversion from the ongoing efforts to decarbonise the road and maritime transport sectors for use in aviation would result in at least 1 million tons of additional GHG emissions released into the atmosphere by 2025.

Does such a policy go against the Commission’s own technology neutrality principle? Could it harm climate mitigation efforts and also hamper the development of more scalable technologies that could ensure the long term decarbonisation of the aviation industry?

A G7 meeting in the UK, a NATO summit in Brussels, followed by an EU-US summit, and a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva. The message of US President Biden's first overseas tour is clear: America is back and Western alliances are not broken.

The EU-US Summit marked the return of EU-US collaboration on fighting climate change, after former President Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris Agreement.

The US and EU are the world’s second- and third-biggest emitters of CO2, respectively, after China. A joint EU-US summit statement, outlines plans for a transatlantic alliance to develop green technologies, and points to sustainable finance as an area for closer transatlantic collaboration. This puts pressure on China and other developing countries to act faster and innovate more.

The return of the US in the Paris Agreement and the announcement of ambitious emission reduction targets for 2030 have confirmed the strong climate commitment of the Biden Administration. A levy on carbon-intensive imports is also being considered, yet without a federal domestic carbon price. At the same time, the European Commission is preparing an important ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package with a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on certain imported goods. Many see competition for leadership in international climate diplomacy as a good thing as long as it doesn’t damage the collaborative spirit.

Yet questions remain unanswered. How to align US and EU policy priorities and market instruments? How can the new transatlantic cooperation contribute to the climate-neutrality transition? How might these policy interventions affect international trade and reduce trade frictions?

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss the reset of EU and US relations and what it means, from the climate agenda, to international trade, to a global taxation system.

[The “Energise Your Day” event series stimulates open debate on the most pressing issues facing Europe, and by extension, the world. Equinor and EURACTIV believe that reflection and exchange of different perspectives enhance our understanding of common challenges and promotes holistic, long-term thinking leading to solutions and action.]

A G7 meeting in the UK, a NATO summit in Brussels, followed by an EU-US summit, and a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva. The message of US President Biden's first overseas tour is clear: America is back and Western alliances are not broken.

The EU-US Summit marked the return of EU-US collaboration on fighting climate change, after former President Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris Agreement.

The US and EU are the world’s second- and third-biggest emitters of CO2, respectively, after China. A joint EU-US summit statement, outlines plans for a transatlantic alliance to develop green technologies, and points to sustainable finance as an area for closer transatlantic collaboration. This puts pressure on China and other developing countries to act faster and innovate more.

The return of the US in the Paris Agreement and the announcement of ambitious emission reduction targets for 2030 have confirmed the strong climate commitment of the Biden Administration. A levy on carbon-intensive imports is also being considered, yet without a federal domestic carbon price. At the same time, the European Commission is preparing an important ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package with a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on certain imported goods. Many see competition for leadership in international climate diplomacy as a good thing as long as it doesn’t damage the collaborative spirit.

Yet questions remain unanswered. How to align US and EU policy priorities and market instruments? How can the new transatlantic cooperation contribute to the climate-neutrality transition? How might these policy interventions affect international trade and reduce trade frictions?

Listen to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss the reset of EU and US relations and what it means, from the climate agenda, to international trade, to a global taxation system.

[The “Energise Your Day” event series stimulates open debate on the most pressing issues facing Europe, and by extension, the world. Equinor and EURACTIV believe that reflection and exchange of different perspectives enhance our understanding of common challenges and promotes holistic, long-term thinking leading to solutions and action.]

Accessing health remains a challenge in rural and remote areas in a context of a declining and ageing population, a lack of connectivity and infrastructure, as well as a low access to essential public services such as healthcare.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted these issues and emphasized the need to develop a long-term health access in rural areas vision, it has also brought additional light on emerging opportunities to achieve this objective. The digital transition provides numerous tools in that sense, such as the uptake of telemedicine and the upcoming European Health Data Space.

The European Commission’s Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas published on June 28, acknowledges the difficulties rural populations are facing, including those related to access to health, and aims at helping rural areas in overcoming these challenges by leveraging both the green and digital transitions.

In this context, this roundtable event will discuss how to improve access to quality healthcare and increase well-being in remote areas.

This event is co-organised by the All Policies for a Healthy Europe coalition and the RUMRA & Smart Villages Intergroup.

All Policies for a Healthy Europe is a multi-stakeholder initiative geared towards putting people’s well-being at the centre of all areas of EU policy-making. The coalition brings together a diverse group of NGOs, think-tanks, associations, companies, and individuals to support a healthy, climate-neutral and socially inclusive Europe.

The RUMRA & Smart Villages Intergroup promotes integrated development for European territories in all their diversity and enables exchanges on innovative ways to create vibrant and attractive rural communities. The Intergroup connects civil society organisations and policymakers, acting as the voice of rural communities to the European Parliament with the aim to strengthen integration and ensure a sustainable future for all Europeans.

ORGANISED BY: All Policies for a Healthy Europe and RUMRA & Smart Villages Intergroup

MEDIA PARTNER: EURACTIV

Accessing health remains a challenge in rural and remote areas in a context of a declining and ageing population, a lack of connectivity and infrastructure, as well as a low access to essential public services such as healthcare.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted these issues and emphasized the need to develop a long-term health access in rural areas vision, it has also brought additional light on emerging opportunities to achieve this objective. The digital transition provides numerous tools in that sense, such as the uptake of telemedicine and the upcoming European Health Data Space.

The European Commission’s Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas published on June 28, acknowledges the difficulties rural populations are facing, including those related to access to health, and aims at helping rural areas in overcoming these challenges by leveraging both the green and digital transitions.

In this context, this roundtable event will discuss how to improve access to quality healthcare and increase well-being in remote areas.

This event is co-organised by the All Policies for a Healthy Europe coalition and the RUMRA & Smart Villages Intergroup.

All Policies for a Healthy Europe is a multi-stakeholder initiative geared towards putting people’s well-being at the centre of all areas of EU policy-making. The coalition brings together a diverse group of NGOs, think-tanks, associations, companies, and individuals to support a healthy, climate-neutral and socially inclusive Europe.

The RUMRA & Smart Villages Intergroup promotes integrated development for European territories in all their diversity and enables exchanges on innovative ways to create vibrant and attractive rural communities. The Intergroup connects civil society organisations and policymakers, acting as the voice of rural communities to the European Parliament with the aim to strengthen integration and ensure a sustainable future for all Europeans.

ORGANISED BY: All Policies for a Healthy Europe and RUMRA & Smart Villages Intergroup

MEDIA PARTNER: EURACTIV

As countries put forward their net-zero pledges on the run up to COP26, debate has intensified on strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across different sectors. There is little question that the greatest contribution comes from the energy sector (transport, industry and buildings), which currently accounts for 73.2 percent of GHG emissions. But other sectors also have a role to play.

In discussing how to reduce emissions from agriculture, beef is often singled out as a climate change villain. In the United Kingdom, the recently published “National Food Strategy” proposes to reduce meat consumption by 30 percent over ten years, as a means to reaching the UK net-zero targets. This is a possible way ahead, but it is hardly the only one. In the same way that low carbon agriculture is already a reality in many places, many argue that livestock can also be produced sustainably, with little or no GHG emissions.

This webinar assessed the contribution of livestock to climate change and present initiatives already under way to produce beef sustainably. This debate had panelists from different sectors both in Brazil and the UK.

As countries put forward their net-zero pledges on the run up to COP26, debate has intensified on strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across different sectors. There is little question that the greatest contribution comes from the energy sector (transport, industry and buildings), which currently accounts for 73.2 percent of GHG emissions. But other sectors also have a role to play.

In discussing how to reduce emissions from agriculture, beef is often singled out as a climate change villain. In the United Kingdom, the recently published “National Food Strategy” proposes to reduce meat consumption by 30 percent over ten years, as a means to reaching the UK net-zero targets. This is a possible way ahead, but it is hardly the only one. In the same way that low carbon agriculture is already a reality in many places, many argue that livestock can also be produced sustainably, with little or no GHG emissions.

This webinar assessed the contribution of livestock to climate change and present initiatives already under way to produce beef sustainably. This debate had panelists from different sectors both in Brazil and the UK.

Maritime transport is an essential component of Europe’s transport system and plays a critical role for the European economy. Every year, around 400 million passengers embark or disembark in EU ports, including around 14 million on cruise ships. Efficient maritime transport connections are essential to the mobility of EU citizens, in developing EU regions, and to the EU economy as a whole.

Maritime transport is responsible for about 2.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving significant reductions in emissions of maritime transport requires using both less energy (increasing energy efficiency) and new, alternative types of energy (renewable and low-carbon fuels). The FuelEU Maritime legislative proposal aims to increase the uptake of sustainable alternative fuels in this sector. The Commission has also proposed to extend the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS) to the maritime sector.

Europe is uniquely placed to lead the shift of the entire maritime industry to greater sustainability, and the complete maritime value chain should be involved. It has the expertise and the capacity to innovate. In addition, the cruise industry is at the forefront in developing environmental practices and driving new technologies. In this context, EU action can inspire and pave the way to develop future measures accelerating the uptake of alternative fuels at a global level.

Maritime transport is an essential component of Europe’s transport system and plays a critical role for the European economy. Every year, around 400 million passengers embark or disembark in EU ports, including around 14 million on cruise ships. Efficient maritime transport connections are essential to the mobility of EU citizens, in developing EU regions, and to the EU economy as a whole.

Maritime transport is responsible for about 2.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving significant reductions in emissions of maritime transport requires using both less energy (increasing energy efficiency) and new, alternative types of energy (renewable and low-carbon fuels). The FuelEU Maritime legislative proposal aims to increase the uptake of sustainable alternative fuels in this sector. The Commission has also proposed to extend the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS) to the maritime sector.

Europe is uniquely placed to lead the shift of the entire maritime industry to greater sustainability, and the complete maritime value chain should be involved. It has the expertise and the capacity to innovate. In addition, the cruise industry is at the forefront in developing environmental practices and driving new technologies. In this context, EU action can inspire and pave the way to develop future measures accelerating the uptake of alternative fuels at a global level.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), of all direct CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, transportation accounts for 24%.

Therefore, decarbonising the transport sector is a key element on the run up to COP26 – and biofuels have a significant role if we are to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5ºC.

Brazil is the second largest producer of biofuels in the world – second only to the United States – and has the largest fleet of “flex fuel” vehicles in the world. For over 50 years now, cars in Brazil have been powered by sustainable biofuels that not only mitigate climate change, but also promote economic growth, social inclusion and public health benefits.

Clean transport and electric vehicles are one of the priority campaigns of the British presidency of COP26.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), of all direct CO2 emissions from fuel combustion, transportation accounts for 24%.

Therefore, decarbonising the transport sector is a key element on the run up to COP26 – and biofuels have a significant role if we are to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5ºC.

Brazil is the second largest producer of biofuels in the world – second only to the United States – and has the largest fleet of “flex fuel” vehicles in the world. For over 50 years now, cars in Brazil have been powered by sustainable biofuels that not only mitigate climate change, but also promote economic growth, social inclusion and public health benefits.

Clean transport and electric vehicles are one of the priority campaigns of the British presidency of COP26.

European Union Member States have agreed to reach climate neutrality by 2050 and increase their level of ambition for 2030. This means that Europe needs to amend many of its climate policies.

According to several climate stakeholders, emission reductions are not at the pace to meet Europe's more ambitious climate goals.

In April 2021, the European Parliament and the European Council reached a provisional agreement on the first-ever EU Climate Law. But negotiations on whether carbon removals should be counted towards the 2030 target were difficult. The final target sets a cap on removals, effectively separating targets for emission reductions and carbon removals.

The Commission has many other legislative actions in place - the LULUCF Regulation, the Climate Action Regulation, the Emission Trading Directive, and new legislation containing a nature restoration target.

Will these actions lead to an acceleration of carbon removal strategies? Collectively, are they enough to meet the EU’s climate targets?

European Union Member States have agreed to reach climate neutrality by 2050 and increase their level of ambition for 2030. This means that Europe needs to amend many of its climate policies.

According to several climate stakeholders, emission reductions are not at the pace to meet Europe's more ambitious climate goals.

In April 2021, the European Parliament and the European Council reached a provisional agreement on the first-ever EU Climate Law. But negotiations on whether carbon removals should be counted towards the 2030 target were difficult. The final target sets a cap on removals, effectively separating targets for emission reductions and carbon removals.

The Commission has many other legislative actions in place - the LULUCF Regulation, the Climate Action Regulation, the Emission Trading Directive, and new legislation containing a nature restoration target.

Will these actions lead to an acceleration of carbon removal strategies? Collectively, are they enough to meet the EU’s climate targets?

The EU has adopted ambitious new targets to curb climate change, with a pledge to make them legally binding. Under a new law agreed in 2021 between Member States and the European Parliament, the bloc will cut carbon emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared with 1990 levels.

Globally, forests are our lungs and life-support system, covering 30% of the Earth’s land area and hosting 80% of its biodiversity.

Planting billions of trees across the world is one of the cheapest ways of taking CO2 out of the atmosphere to tackle the climate crisis, according to many scientists.

Although planting new trees alone cannot solve climate change, when combined with well-thought out restoration of existing forests and reducing emissions, tree planting can play a significant role.

The EU has adopted ambitious new targets to curb climate change, with a pledge to make them legally binding. Under a new law agreed in 2021 between Member States and the European Parliament, the bloc will cut carbon emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared with 1990 levels.

Globally, forests are our lungs and life-support system, covering 30% of the Earth’s land area and hosting 80% of its biodiversity.

Planting billions of trees across the world is one of the cheapest ways of taking CO2 out of the atmosphere to tackle the climate crisis, according to many scientists.

Although planting new trees alone cannot solve climate change, when combined with well-thought out restoration of existing forests and reducing emissions, tree planting can play a significant role.

Set up in 2005, the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) is the world's first international emissions trading system. Since its establishment, the concept has had plenty of detractors.

Now, with the UK set to leave the EU ETS and replace it with something else such as a carbon tax, and the incoming US administration of Joe Biden sounding unenthusiastic about cap-and-trade, EU policymakers are being prompted to think about other ways to price carbon.

The European Commission is proposing to revise and possibly expand the scope of the ETS. They claim the ETS proves that putting a price on carbon is possible and makes economic sense, helping to move further towards a low carbon greener future.

Set up in 2005, the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) is the world's first international emissions trading system. Since its establishment, the concept has had plenty of detractors.

Now, with the UK set to leave the EU ETS and replace it with something else such as a carbon tax, and the incoming US administration of Joe Biden sounding unenthusiastic about cap-and-trade, EU policymakers are being prompted to think about other ways to price carbon.

The European Commission is proposing to revise and possibly expand the scope of the ETS. They claim the ETS proves that putting a price on carbon is possible and makes economic sense, helping to move further towards a low carbon greener future.

In June 2021, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree “On further measures of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of human rights”, which he said represents an important step in the political modernisation of the Central Asian country.

In June 2021, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a decree “On further measures of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of human rights”, which he said represents an important step in the political modernisation of the Central Asian country.

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the beating heart of Europe’s economy, accounting for over 90% of all businesses in the EU and for more than half of its gross domestic product, whilst employing about 100 million EU workers before the pandemic.

Already struggling with long-standing problems such as regulatory burdens and difficulties to access markets, small businesses have been particularly hard-hit by the ongoing COVID crisis.

From the start-up stage, sustainability is seen as an afterthought for many SMEs, with the focus being on profits, revenue and business growth.

The current motto of the COVID recovery is to ‘build back better’, by placing sustainability and the environment at the forefront of our social and economic recovery. How can SMEs be encouraged and supported to recover strongly, whilst also thinking sustainably?

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the beating heart of Europe’s economy, accounting for over 90% of all businesses in the EU and for more than half of its gross domestic product, whilst employing about 100 million EU workers before the pandemic.

Already struggling with long-standing problems such as regulatory burdens and difficulties to access markets, small businesses have been particularly hard-hit by the ongoing COVID crisis.

From the start-up stage, sustainability is seen as an afterthought for many SMEs, with the focus being on profits, revenue and business growth.

The current motto of the COVID recovery is to ‘build back better’, by placing sustainability and the environment at the forefront of our social and economic recovery. How can SMEs be encouraged and supported to recover strongly, whilst also thinking sustainably?

The way we work, and our societies more broadly, are undergoing fundamental transformations in a context of globalisation, demographic changes, and the rapid advance of technologies.

The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the journey towards digitalisation forcing companies to adapt the skills of their workforces to ensure they can keep up with technological developments and a changing labour market. While the health crisis has deepened some challenges in the labour market, new opportunities present themselves for growth and job creation.

An inclusive digital economy, increased investment, better active labour market policies and making sure nobody is left behind are examples of how to move forward.

The way we work, and our societies more broadly, are undergoing fundamental transformations in a context of globalisation, demographic changes, and the rapid advance of technologies.

The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the journey towards digitalisation forcing companies to adapt the skills of their workforces to ensure they can keep up with technological developments and a changing labour market. While the health crisis has deepened some challenges in the labour market, new opportunities present themselves for growth and job creation.

An inclusive digital economy, increased investment, better active labour market policies and making sure nobody is left behind are examples of how to move forward.

The way we work, and our societies more broadly, are undergoing fundamental transformations in a context of globalisation, demographic changes, and the rapid advance of technologies.

The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the journey towards digitalisation forcing companies to adapt the skills of their workforces to ensure they can keep up with technological developments and a changing labour market. While the health crisis has deepened some challenges in the labour market, new opportunities present themselves for growth and job creation.

An inclusive digital economy, increased investment, better active labour market policies and making sure nobody is left behind are examples of how to move forward.

The way we work, and our societies more broadly, are undergoing fundamental transformations in a context of globalisation, demographic changes, and the rapid advance of technologies.

The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the journey towards digitalisation forcing companies to adapt the skills of their workforces to ensure they can keep up with technological developments and a changing labour market. While the health crisis has deepened some challenges in the labour market, new opportunities present themselves for growth and job creation.

An inclusive digital economy, increased investment, better active labour market policies and making sure nobody is left behind are examples of how to move forward.

One year after its release, the EU Hydrogen Strategy continues to be the centre of debates on where, when and how hydrogen can best support the EU’s energy transition goals. The upcoming Fit for 55 Package and Hydrogen and Gas market package will write the rules to put these ambitions into law. In this context, the recently launched Hydrogen4EU report charts potential pathways for low-carbon and renewable hydrogen to contribute to the EU’s goal of net zero GHG emissions by 2050, looking at the most effective mix of hydrogen technologies to be deployed across different geographies and sectors in Europe (power, transport, industry), considering factors such as cost, speed and feasibility.

One year after its release, the EU Hydrogen Strategy continues to be the centre of debates on where, when and how hydrogen can best support the EU’s energy transition goals. The upcoming Fit for 55 Package and Hydrogen and Gas market package will write the rules to put these ambitions into law. In this context, the recently launched Hydrogen4EU report charts potential pathways for low-carbon and renewable hydrogen to contribute to the EU’s goal of net zero GHG emissions by 2050, looking at the most effective mix of hydrogen technologies to be deployed across different geographies and sectors in Europe (power, transport, industry), considering factors such as cost, speed and feasibility.

An international connectivity summit named "Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities" will take place in Tashkent from July 15-16 as an initiative of the President of Uzbekistan, a double land-locked country.

The summit will see a gathering of leaders from South and Central Asia and aims to increase connectivity between the two regions.

Expanding links between South and Central Asian markets is a decades-old conversation. Tashkent, who ever keener to be seen as a regional player, wants to use the conference as a launchpad for Central Asia’s deeper engagement with South Asia.

With several big transport infrastructure projects in the region being discussed, it is more important than ever that all states agree on their mutually beneficial nature, and that no one country will be left behind. There are geo-political difficulties to be discussed and overcome.

An international connectivity summit named "Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities" will take place in Tashkent from July 15-16 as an initiative of the President of Uzbekistan, a double land-locked country.

The summit will see a gathering of leaders from South and Central Asia and aims to increase connectivity between the two regions.

Expanding links between South and Central Asian markets is a decades-old conversation. Tashkent, who ever keener to be seen as a regional player, wants to use the conference as a launchpad for Central Asia’s deeper engagement with South Asia.

With several big transport infrastructure projects in the region being discussed, it is more important than ever that all states agree on their mutually beneficial nature, and that no one country will be left behind. There are geo-political difficulties to be discussed and overcome.

We all know we must transition towards more sustainable food systems while maintaining food safety, and that science has a key role to play in this transition. But how can we make sure science is being listened to?

Have policymakers got the balance right between listening to opinion and following the evidence when it comes to legislation around healthy and sustainable diets?

There are lots of views out there, but in a world where people’s ideas are more likely to be informed by a friend’s post on social media than by an expert with the facts at their fingertips, how can science cut through the noise?

We all know we must transition towards more sustainable food systems while maintaining food safety, and that science has a key role to play in this transition. But how can we make sure science is being listened to?

Have policymakers got the balance right between listening to opinion and following the evidence when it comes to legislation around healthy and sustainable diets?

There are lots of views out there, but in a world where people’s ideas are more likely to be informed by a friend’s post on social media than by an expert with the facts at their fingertips, how can science cut through the noise?

At a time of rising obesity and non-communicable diseases, EU policy-makers have committed to address this shared challenge. The European Commission has made healthier diets one of the priorities of this mandate, and different public health and food policies aiming to achieve healthier food environments are being developed within the framework of the Farm to Fork Strategy.

These efforts are all the more urgent in the current reality of the Covid-19 pandemic. There is growing evidence that chronic health conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, are associated with increased risk and severity of COVID-19 outcomes.

In the pursuit of healthier food environments for EU citizens, as part of an inclusive whole-of-society approach, industry has been called upon to contribute to a sustainable food system, for example by reformulating products and providing healthier options. In this context, low or no calorie sweeteners are seen as a useful tool to help manufacturers achieve products with less sugar and fewer calories, while still being palatable to consumers.

At a time of rising obesity and non-communicable diseases, EU policy-makers have committed to address this shared challenge. The European Commission has made healthier diets one of the priorities of this mandate, and different public health and food policies aiming to achieve healthier food environments are being developed within the framework of the Farm to Fork Strategy.

These efforts are all the more urgent in the current reality of the Covid-19 pandemic. There is growing evidence that chronic health conditions, such as obesity and diabetes, are associated with increased risk and severity of COVID-19 outcomes.

In the pursuit of healthier food environments for EU citizens, as part of an inclusive whole-of-society approach, industry has been called upon to contribute to a sustainable food system, for example by reformulating products and providing healthier options. In this context, low or no calorie sweeteners are seen as a useful tool to help manufacturers achieve products with less sugar and fewer calories, while still being palatable to consumers.

The current EU agri-food model is going through radical change. The need to feed a growing population sustainably and protect biodiversity is putting demands on the industry like never before. The main EU policy response is the Farm to Fork Strategy (F2F), at the heart of the European Green Deal, which aims to make food systems fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly.

The dairy sector is taking steps to reduce the climate and environmental impact of dairy products from farm to fridge.

Using data makes it possible for farmers to identify areas where sustainable practices can be implemented or improved.

But there is more to do. The next challenge will be how to use this knowledge in effective policymaking and how to share best practices and data-driven approaches to drive sustainability across the entire dairy sector.

The current EU agri-food model is going through radical change. The need to feed a growing population sustainably and protect biodiversity is putting demands on the industry like never before. The main EU policy response is the Farm to Fork Strategy (F2F), at the heart of the European Green Deal, which aims to make food systems fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly.

The dairy sector is taking steps to reduce the climate and environmental impact of dairy products from farm to fridge.

Using data makes it possible for farmers to identify areas where sustainable practices can be implemented or improved.

But there is more to do. The next challenge will be how to use this knowledge in effective policymaking and how to share best practices and data-driven approaches to drive sustainability across the entire dairy sector.

In this webinar we will discuss European policies and initiatives for a sustainable blue economy and how these initiatives contribute to the global efforts for sustainable ocean management.

In May, the European Commission presented the initiative A new approach for a sustainable Blue Economy in the EU. The EU Commission presents the new initiative this way:

“The European Green Deal and the Recovery Plan for Europe will define the European economy for many years, or even decades. And the EU’s blue economy is fundamental to both efforts. Not only should the blue economy adhere, like every other sector, to the European Green Deal. It is also indispensable to meet the EU’s environmental and climate objectives. After all, the ocean is the main climate regulator we have. It offers clean energy and sustains us with oxygen, food, and many critical resources. There just can’t be green without blue.”

A sustainable blue economy is also a priority for the current Portuguese EU presidency. Key events of their presidency are the Sustainable Ocean Panel Conference in Lisbon on June 7th and the Ministerial Conference on the Integrated Maritime Policy also in Lisbon on June 8th. Portugal and Norway are coastal states and share this commitment for sustainable ocean management.

This engagement also stretches beyond Europe. Sustainable management of the world’s oceans is crucial for our common future. The Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg leads the High-level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, where the Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa is also a member. The Ocean Panel’s conclusions are based on research showing that the oceans are both more important than previously thought – for human and planetary health, for the climate and food security, for local job markets and the global economy – and more vulnerable than we imagined. At the same time, the oceans themselves will be the source of many of the solutions.

In this webinar we will discuss European policies and initiatives for a sustainable blue economy and how these initiatives contribute to the global efforts for sustainable ocean management.

In May, the European Commission presented the initiative A new approach for a sustainable Blue Economy in the EU. The EU Commission presents the new initiative this way:

“The European Green Deal and the Recovery Plan for Europe will define the European economy for many years, or even decades. And the EU’s blue economy is fundamental to both efforts. Not only should the blue economy adhere, like every other sector, to the European Green Deal. It is also indispensable to meet the EU’s environmental and climate objectives. After all, the ocean is the main climate regulator we have. It offers clean energy and sustains us with oxygen, food, and many critical resources. There just can’t be green without blue.”

A sustainable blue economy is also a priority for the current Portuguese EU presidency. Key events of their presidency are the Sustainable Ocean Panel Conference in Lisbon on June 7th and the Ministerial Conference on the Integrated Maritime Policy also in Lisbon on June 8th. Portugal and Norway are coastal states and share this commitment for sustainable ocean management.

This engagement also stretches beyond Europe. Sustainable management of the world’s oceans is crucial for our common future. The Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg leads the High-level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, where the Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa is also a member. The Ocean Panel’s conclusions are based on research showing that the oceans are both more important than previously thought – for human and planetary health, for the climate and food security, for local job markets and the global economy – and more vulnerable than we imagined. At the same time, the oceans themselves will be the source of many of the solutions.

The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) has proven to be an effective tool in driving emissions reductions. Installations covered by the ETS reduced emissions by about 35% between 2005 and 2019.

The Commission has recently presented an impact-assessed plan to increase the EU’s net emissions reductions target to at least 55% by 2030. By June 2021, the Commission plans to present legislative proposals to implement the new target, including revising and extending the EU ETS to include buildings and transport.

However, some stakeholders have raised concerns. A recent study by Cambridge Econometrics found that extending the ETS to include transport and buildings would have little additional impact on emissions from these sectors, but would increase living costs for poorer households.

A report to be published by the Polish Economic Institute, ERCST and Cambridge Econometrics concludes that covering buildings and transport by the current EU ETS would involve the necessity to significantly increase the price if the system is to be effective in stimulating changes in the new sectors.

It has also been pointed out that road transport emissions are already covered by more targeted schemes, like emission standards for cars.

The EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) has proven to be an effective tool in driving emissions reductions. Installations covered by the ETS reduced emissions by about 35% between 2005 and 2019.

The Commission has recently presented an impact-assessed plan to increase the EU’s net emissions reductions target to at least 55% by 2030. By June 2021, the Commission plans to present legislative proposals to implement the new target, including revising and extending the EU ETS to include buildings and transport.

However, some stakeholders have raised concerns. A recent study by Cambridge Econometrics found that extending the ETS to include transport and buildings would have little additional impact on emissions from these sectors, but would increase living costs for poorer households.

A report to be published by the Polish Economic Institute, ERCST and Cambridge Econometrics concludes that covering buildings and transport by the current EU ETS would involve the necessity to significantly increase the price if the system is to be effective in stimulating changes in the new sectors.

It has also been pointed out that road transport emissions are already covered by more targeted schemes, like emission standards for cars.

As part of its EU Green Deal legislative roadmap, the European Commission will propose sweeping new energy and climate legislation aimed at reducing emissions by 55% by 2030. This ‘Fit for 55’ package will include major revamps of several legislation affecting the EU renewable fuels sector – including the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), CO2 standards for cars, the revamp of the Effort Sharing Regulation and the Emissions Trading System with the possible inclusion of transport, and the Energy Taxation Directive.

The revision of the RED will be the third such overhaul since the legislation was enacted in 2009. The current process offers a real opportunity for the Commission to review what it could have done better the first and second times around in crafting EU renewable energy policy. But already there are signs the third time might not be a charm for the RED, with the Commission’s recent initiatives (Biodiversity Strategy, Delegated Regulation on sustainable investments) seeking to minimise or even eliminate the contribution of crop-based biofuels such as renewable ethanol from the road transport energy mix – even though such biofuels have been a significant contributor in displacing fossil fuel and essential to meeting 2030 GHG emissions reduction targets.

As part of its EU Green Deal legislative roadmap, the European Commission will propose sweeping new energy and climate legislation aimed at reducing emissions by 55% by 2030. This ‘Fit for 55’ package will include major revamps of several legislation affecting the EU renewable fuels sector – including the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), CO2 standards for cars, the revamp of the Effort Sharing Regulation and the Emissions Trading System with the possible inclusion of transport, and the Energy Taxation Directive.

The revision of the RED will be the third such overhaul since the legislation was enacted in 2009. The current process offers a real opportunity for the Commission to review what it could have done better the first and second times around in crafting EU renewable energy policy. But already there are signs the third time might not be a charm for the RED, with the Commission’s recent initiatives (Biodiversity Strategy, Delegated Regulation on sustainable investments) seeking to minimise or even eliminate the contribution of crop-based biofuels such as renewable ethanol from the road transport energy mix – even though such biofuels have been a significant contributor in displacing fossil fuel and essential to meeting 2030 GHG emissions reduction targets.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries had experienced transformations in their labour and jobs markets as a consequence of technological progress, climate change, globalisation, and shifts in demography. These trends have had an impact on employment relationships and, as a result, on workers’ rights, obligations and security.

The onset of COVID-19 in early 2020 produced a set of economic challenges on a scale not seen in decades.

A five-year research collaboration between the Smith School of Enterprise at University of Oxford and Zurich Insurance Group shows that the pandemic has accelerated changes in the role of government in insurance provision. The report suggests it is inevitable that the state can no longer be the insurer of last resort, particularly due to rising debt levels. New partnerships should be developed between governments, employers, and benefits providers to protect workers against the enhanced risks of a post-pandemic economy.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries had experienced transformations in their labour and jobs markets as a consequence of technological progress, climate change, globalisation, and shifts in demography. These trends have had an impact on employment relationships and, as a result, on workers’ rights, obligations and security.

The onset of COVID-19 in early 2020 produced a set of economic challenges on a scale not seen in decades.

A five-year research collaboration between the Smith School of Enterprise at University of Oxford and Zurich Insurance Group shows that the pandemic has accelerated changes in the role of government in insurance provision. The report suggests it is inevitable that the state can no longer be the insurer of last resort, particularly due to rising debt levels. New partnerships should be developed between governments, employers, and benefits providers to protect workers against the enhanced risks of a post-pandemic economy.

The use of gene-editing technologies in plants has come under increased scrutiny in the EU over the past few years, following the 2018 European Court of Justice ruling that gene-edited organisms should fall, in principle, under the EU’s GMO directive.

This ruling was welcomed by campaign groups and environmentalists, who warn of the wide-ranging ramifications from the use of such a technology, including corporate control of seeds and environmental concerns. However, proponents argue that gene editing is a sorely needed innovation that would help Europe’s agricultural sector meet the ambitious green objectives set out in the bloc’s flagship food policy, the Farm to Fork Strategy, as well as help the EU’s health sector address some of the most devastating genetic diseases.

In April 2021, the European Commission published a study on new genomic techniques (NGTs), with the aim to clarify the EU’s position on the technology in light of the 2018 ruling. The study has concluded that the current legal framework governing NGTs is insufficient and indicated that new policy instruments should be considered to reap the benefits of this technology.

The study has also confirmed that NGT products have the potential to contribute to sustainable agri-food systems in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy.

How can the EU enable NGT products to contribute to sustainability, while addressing concerns? How can it best inform and engage with the public on NGTs?

This EURACTIV Virtual Conference discussed how progress can be made by moving away from a simple ’benefit-risk’ debate and engaging in a collaborative discussion building on the Commission’s NGT study.

The use of gene-editing technologies in plants has come under increased scrutiny in the EU over the past few years, following the 2018 European Court of Justice ruling that gene-edited organisms should fall, in principle, under the EU’s GMO directive.

This ruling was welcomed by campaign groups and environmentalists, who warn of the wide-ranging ramifications from the use of such a technology, including corporate control of seeds and environmental concerns. However, proponents argue that gene editing is a sorely needed innovation that would help Europe’s agricultural sector meet the ambitious green objectives set out in the bloc’s flagship food policy, the Farm to Fork Strategy, as well as help the EU’s health sector address some of the most devastating genetic diseases.

In April 2021, the European Commission published a study on new genomic techniques (NGTs), with the aim to clarify the EU’s position on the technology in light of the 2018 ruling. The study has concluded that the current legal framework governing NGTs is insufficient and indicated that new policy instruments should be considered to reap the benefits of this technology.

The study has also confirmed that NGT products have the potential to contribute to sustainable agri-food systems in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy.

How can the EU enable NGT products to contribute to sustainability, while addressing concerns? How can it best inform and engage with the public on NGTs?

This EURACTIV Virtual Conference discussed how progress can be made by moving away from a simple ’benefit-risk’ debate and engaging in a collaborative discussion building on the Commission’s NGT study.

On March 9th, the European Commission presented a vision for Europe’s digital transformation by 2030. This vision for the EU's digital decade focuses on around four key points: skills, government, infrastructures, business. A framework of digital principles will help promote and uphold EU values in the digital space. At the heart of this is a secure and trusted online environment.

In February, when the European Commission unveiled proposals for the region to be a leader in artificial intelligence, Commission President Ursula von her Leyen, stated that "we want citizens to trust the new technology." This concept of trust in the digital sphere has been repeatedly emphasised by Commissioner Vestager. In December 2020, she reiterated the importance of promising Europeans a "safe, fair, trustworthy digital world, for the decades to come."

The EU has an ambitious recovery plan that will be green and digitally-led. EU citizens are already seeing the advantages of next generation e-health and e-mobility. These are enabled by gigabit networks. Gigabit network providers have an important trust role to play by providing Europeans secure and reliable access to the digital world through super-fast connectivity.

For connectivity providers, trust is defined as a secure connection, which is linked to cybersecurity; a private connection, which builds confidence about the transparent and trustworthy use of our data; and a resilient, future-proof and high-quality connection, which ensures good Gigabit speeds, including in rural areas.

Industry must partner with authorities to guarantee that citizens get the most from their connection, acquiring good digital skills, and extract maximum value for themselves from all the digital world has to offer: e-learning, e-health, future of work, smart manufacturing, smart cities etc. And those with advanced digital skills will also be better informed about disinformation related to connectivity. Again, trust plays an important role in combatting disinformation which has 'real world' effects such as the sabotage of 5G masts, putting 5G roll-out on hold.

If the economic benefits from a digitally-advanced ecosystem are in doubt, a report released in February, Digitalisation: An opportunity for Europe, shows how increased digitalisation of Europe’s services and value chains over the next six years could boost the European Union’s GDP per capita by 7.2% – equivalent to a €1 trillion increase in overall GDP.

On March 9th, the European Commission presented a vision for Europe’s digital transformation by 2030. This vision for the EU's digital decade focuses on around four key points: skills, government, infrastructures, business. A framework of digital principles will help promote and uphold EU values in the digital space. At the heart of this is a secure and trusted online environment.

In February, when the European Commission unveiled proposals for the region to be a leader in artificial intelligence, Commission President Ursula von her Leyen, stated that "we want citizens to trust the new technology." This concept of trust in the digital sphere has been repeatedly emphasised by Commissioner Vestager. In December 2020, she reiterated the importance of promising Europeans a "safe, fair, trustworthy digital world, for the decades to come."

The EU has an ambitious recovery plan that will be green and digitally-led. EU citizens are already seeing the advantages of next generation e-health and e-mobility. These are enabled by gigabit networks. Gigabit network providers have an important trust role to play by providing Europeans secure and reliable access to the digital world through super-fast connectivity.

For connectivity providers, trust is defined as a secure connection, which is linked to cybersecurity; a private connection, which builds confidence about the transparent and trustworthy use of our data; and a resilient, future-proof and high-quality connection, which ensures good Gigabit speeds, including in rural areas.

Industry must partner with authorities to guarantee that citizens get the most from their connection, acquiring good digital skills, and extract maximum value for themselves from all the digital world has to offer: e-learning, e-health, future of work, smart manufacturing, smart cities etc. And those with advanced digital skills will also be better informed about disinformation related to connectivity. Again, trust plays an important role in combatting disinformation which has 'real world' effects such as the sabotage of 5G masts, putting 5G roll-out on hold.

If the economic benefits from a digitally-advanced ecosystem are in doubt, a report released in February, Digitalisation: An opportunity for Europe, shows how increased digitalisation of Europe’s services and value chains over the next six years could boost the European Union’s GDP per capita by 7.2% – equivalent to a €1 trillion increase in overall GDP.

The European Commission states that “Europe must leverage the potential of digital transformation, which is a key enabler for reaching the Green Deal objectives.”

This idea is reinforced in the New Industrial Strategy for Europe, where it is underlined that the twin ecological and digital transitions will affect every part of our economy, society, and industry.

New green technologies are already here to help tackle the biggest challenge of our time: climate change. The European Commission has long promoted digital transformation to enhance economic competitiveness, while also recognising that digitisation can contribute to sustainability goals and enable the changes needed for a just green transition.

The Portuguese Presidency listed the implementation of the EU Green Deal and accelerating the digital transformation as one of its key priorities, with a historic agreement on the European Climate Law.

The European Commission states that “Europe must leverage the potential of digital transformation, which is a key enabler for reaching the Green Deal objectives.”

This idea is reinforced in the New Industrial Strategy for Europe, where it is underlined that the twin ecological and digital transitions will affect every part of our economy, society, and industry.

New green technologies are already here to help tackle the biggest challenge of our time: climate change. The European Commission has long promoted digital transformation to enhance economic competitiveness, while also recognising that digitisation can contribute to sustainability goals and enable the changes needed for a just green transition.

The Portuguese Presidency listed the implementation of the EU Green Deal and accelerating the digital transformation as one of its key priorities, with a historic agreement on the European Climate Law.

The European Expert Group on Orphan Drug Incentives (OD Expert Group) has been established to discuss and bring forward innovative proposals to stimulate innovation and foster research into therapies for rare diseases.

The multidisciplinary and cross-functional OD Expert Group started its work in 2020, bringing together representatives of the broad rare disease community, including research, academia, patient representatives, members of the investor community, rare disease companies and trade associations. The Group has developed a report with 14 policy proposals to improve the Orphan Medicinal Products (OMP) innovation environment in Europe. These proposals put together different ideas on how to address the unmet needs of rare disease patients by evolving the European orphan drugs landscape from research to access.

With the general consultation for the OMP and Paediatric Regulation recently opened, the experts look forward to presenting their recommendations, as the review on the EU legislation for rare diseases represents a unique opportunity to build on and draw inspiration from many of the expert proposed solutions. The experts are keen on discussing with audiences, policy makers and panellists compelling ideas for the next decade of rare disease policies in Europe.

The European Expert Group on Orphan Drug Incentives (OD Expert Group) has been established to discuss and bring forward innovative proposals to stimulate innovation and foster research into therapies for rare diseases.

The multidisciplinary and cross-functional OD Expert Group started its work in 2020, bringing together representatives of the broad rare disease community, including research, academia, patient representatives, members of the investor community, rare disease companies and trade associations. The Group has developed a report with 14 policy proposals to improve the Orphan Medicinal Products (OMP) innovation environment in Europe. These proposals put together different ideas on how to address the unmet needs of rare disease patients by evolving the European orphan drugs landscape from research to access.

With the general consultation for the OMP and Paediatric Regulation recently opened, the experts look forward to presenting their recommendations, as the review on the EU legislation for rare diseases represents a unique opportunity to build on and draw inspiration from many of the expert proposed solutions. The experts are keen on discussing with audiences, policy makers and panellists compelling ideas for the next decade of rare disease policies in Europe.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of the interlinkages between the degradation of our environment and the health of our societies. However, policymakers often lack reliable data and concrete ways to measure the impact of environmental and climate change on citizens’ health & well-being.

On 12 May 2021, the European Commission presented its Zero Pollution Action Plan, acknowledging the public health, environmental, moral and socio-economic impacts of pollution, and aiming to include pollution prevention in all relevant EU policies. In March, the Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA) also launched a Climate & Health Observatory to provide access to resources related to climate change and human health.

In this context, this roundtable event will highlight and discuss best practices on data-collection tools and indicators that can help to better understand, monitor and adapt to the impacts of pollution and climate change on human health.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of the interlinkages between the degradation of our environment and the health of our societies. However, policymakers often lack reliable data and concrete ways to measure the impact of environmental and climate change on citizens’ health & well-being.

On 12 May 2021, the European Commission presented its Zero Pollution Action Plan, acknowledging the public health, environmental, moral and socio-economic impacts of pollution, and aiming to include pollution prevention in all relevant EU policies. In March, the Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA) also launched a Climate & Health Observatory to provide access to resources related to climate change and human health.

In this context, this roundtable event will highlight and discuss best practices on data-collection tools and indicators that can help to better understand, monitor and adapt to the impacts of pollution and climate change on human health.

Cohesion Policy is the EU’s main investment policy. It targets all regions and cities in the European Union in order to support job creation, business competitiveness, economic growth, sustainable development, and improve citizens’ quality of life.

The bulk of Cohesion Policy funding is concentrated on less developed European countries and regions in order to help them to catch up and to reduce the economic, social and territorial disparities that still exist in the EU.

Approximately 32.5% of the EU budget 2014-2020 was allocated to financial instruments which support Cohesion Policy.

Measuring the impact and results of Cohesion Policy is critical to its ongoing success. It enables the EU to demonstrate the achievements of the Policy to European citizens. It also offers the opportunity to learn from good practices and to continuously improve projects and programmes.

Cohesion Policy is the EU’s main investment policy. It targets all regions and cities in the European Union in order to support job creation, business competitiveness, economic growth, sustainable development, and improve citizens’ quality of life.

The bulk of Cohesion Policy funding is concentrated on less developed European countries and regions in order to help them to catch up and to reduce the economic, social and territorial disparities that still exist in the EU.

Approximately 32.5% of the EU budget 2014-2020 was allocated to financial instruments which support Cohesion Policy.

Measuring the impact and results of Cohesion Policy is critical to its ongoing success. It enables the EU to demonstrate the achievements of the Policy to European citizens. It also offers the opportunity to learn from good practices and to continuously improve projects and programmes.

The European Green Deal affects sectors of the European economy in different ways and poses a major challenge. The German natural mineral water sector is in a quite favourable situation. It embodies the principle of sustainability in several ways and thus already makes an important contribution to achieving the goals of the Green Deal:

• Natural mineral water is a sustainable product which is naturally pure and contributes to healthy nutrition of people. The sector relies on a European water policy which aims at protecting all underground water resources against negative environmental influences and threats caused by climate change.

• The German natural mineral water sector practices circular economy principles with a deposit-based system of reuse, refill and recycling of the packaging.

• With the sector initiative “Climate Neutrality 2030”, the German natural mineral water sector is contributing to the EU's climate protection goals.

What are the characteristics of these initiatives and which role do they play in the context of increasing sustainability requirements for the business? How does the natural mineral water sector contribute to the Green Deal in an efficient and sustainable way? Is such a strategy a solid basis for long-term stable framework conditions in an industry that mainly consists of family-run small and medium-sized companies?

The European Green Deal affects sectors of the European economy in different ways and poses a major challenge. The German natural mineral water sector is in a quite favourable situation. It embodies the principle of sustainability in several ways and thus already makes an important contribution to achieving the goals of the Green Deal:

• Natural mineral water is a sustainable product which is naturally pure and contributes to healthy nutrition of people. The sector relies on a European water policy which aims at protecting all underground water resources against negative environmental influences and threats caused by climate change.

• The German natural mineral water sector practices circular economy principles with a deposit-based system of reuse, refill and recycling of the packaging.

• With the sector initiative “Climate Neutrality 2030”, the German natural mineral water sector is contributing to the EU's climate protection goals.

What are the characteristics of these initiatives and which role do they play in the context of increasing sustainability requirements for the business? How does the natural mineral water sector contribute to the Green Deal in an efficient and sustainable way? Is such a strategy a solid basis for long-term stable framework conditions in an industry that mainly consists of family-run small and medium-sized companies?

After being delayed for a year due to the COVID-19 crisis, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26, will take place in Glasgow from 1 - 12 November 2021.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres described 2021 as a “make or break year” in the fight against the climate emergency and underlined that long-term commitments must be matched by immediate actions to launch the decade of transformation that people and the planet so desperately need.

After being delayed for a year due to the COVID-19 crisis, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26, will take place in Glasgow from 1 - 12 November 2021.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres described 2021 as a “make or break year” in the fight against the climate emergency and underlined that long-term commitments must be matched by immediate actions to launch the decade of transformation that people and the planet so desperately need.

n 2020, the agricultural sector faced unprecedented challenges due to the Covid-19 crisis. From logistical issues, a shortage of workforce, to radical changes in demand, the sector showed its resilience by adapting to the different challenges. Overall, the impact of the crisis on food markets has remained limited thanks to the resilience of the food chain.

n 2020, the agricultural sector faced unprecedented challenges due to the Covid-19 crisis. From logistical issues, a shortage of workforce, to radical changes in demand, the sector showed its resilience by adapting to the different challenges. Overall, the impact of the crisis on food markets has remained limited thanks to the resilience of the food chain.

The EU and African Union seek to make up for the time lost in 2020 by accelerating talks on a new strategic partnership covering political and economic cooperation. But some are asking whether the EU’s plan to strike a strategic partnership with Africa has become a “victim” of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the field of competitors for investing in Africa becomes more crowded, the EU will quickly have to improve its offer if it wants to succeed in maintaining its position as the “priority partner”. The Portuguese government, holders of the current six-month rotating EU presidency, is taking an active part in preparing the 6th EU-African Union Summit and is anxious to conclude a mutually fruitful partnership by the summer.

The EU and African Union seek to make up for the time lost in 2020 by accelerating talks on a new strategic partnership covering political and economic cooperation. But some are asking whether the EU’s plan to strike a strategic partnership with Africa has become a “victim” of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the field of competitors for investing in Africa becomes more crowded, the EU will quickly have to improve its offer if it wants to succeed in maintaining its position as the “priority partner”. The Portuguese government, holders of the current six-month rotating EU presidency, is taking an active part in preparing the 6th EU-African Union Summit and is anxious to conclude a mutually fruitful partnership by the summer.

2019 marked the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Eastern Partnership (EaP), when the EU strengthened its relationship with 6 Eastern partners. The identified goals committed the EU, its Member States and the six partners to achieve concrete improvement in four key areas: economy, governance, connectivity, and society.

Georgia, as one of the most ambitious of the six partners, has seen its ties with the EU grow stronger since 2009. Several measures have contributed to this improvement, such as the ongoing opening of the EU market to Georgian products, the entry into force of visa liberalisation, agriculture modernisation, and infrastructure investment, amongst others.

The EU has a strategy called “more for more”, meaning that the most ambitious of its partners should receive tangible recognition for their efforts to get closer to the EU. However, EU member states oppose any accession soon. This is why Georgia’s government has been pushing for the country to join as many EU programmes as possible. In an effort to “set a new course”, as mentioned by Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili in July, Georgia wishes to be an ad-hoc case, a ‘testing ground’ for a new path towards EU membership. Additionally, as tensions with Russia rise over the occupation of the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgia is also seeking more political support from the EU.

2019 marked the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Eastern Partnership (EaP), when the EU strengthened its relationship with 6 Eastern partners. The identified goals committed the EU, its Member States and the six partners to achieve concrete improvement in four key areas: economy, governance, connectivity, and society.

Georgia, as one of the most ambitious of the six partners, has seen its ties with the EU grow stronger since 2009. Several measures have contributed to this improvement, such as the ongoing opening of the EU market to Georgian products, the entry into force of visa liberalisation, agriculture modernisation, and infrastructure investment, amongst others.

The EU has a strategy called “more for more”, meaning that the most ambitious of its partners should receive tangible recognition for their efforts to get closer to the EU. However, EU member states oppose any accession soon. This is why Georgia’s government has been pushing for the country to join as many EU programmes as possible. In an effort to “set a new course”, as mentioned by Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili in July, Georgia wishes to be an ad-hoc case, a ‘testing ground’ for a new path towards EU membership. Additionally, as tensions with Russia rise over the occupation of the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, Georgia is also seeking more political support from the EU.

China, the EU and the US are collectively responsible for around 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The EU is fighting climate change through ambitious policies at home and close cooperation with international partners. Last year, China, the world’s largest emitter, promised to end its contribution to global heating and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

President Biden has recently fulfilled his pledge to rejoin the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, he set a target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, a move that mirrors Europe’s own commitments.

International cooperation on climate change has lost momentum in recent years but 2021 could mark the beginning of a closer cooperation between the world’s largest emitters. The political will is arguably the strongest in many years. By cooperating closely, China, the EU and the US could not only reach their climate targets faster, but they could also support better other countries in achieving theirs.

China, the EU and the US are collectively responsible for around 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The EU is fighting climate change through ambitious policies at home and close cooperation with international partners. Last year, China, the world’s largest emitter, promised to end its contribution to global heating and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.

President Biden has recently fulfilled his pledge to rejoin the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, he set a target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, a move that mirrors Europe’s own commitments.

International cooperation on climate change has lost momentum in recent years but 2021 could mark the beginning of a closer cooperation between the world’s largest emitters. The political will is arguably the strongest in many years. By cooperating closely, China, the EU and the US could not only reach their climate targets faster, but they could also support better other countries in achieving theirs.

The EU engagement in negotiating Forest Partnerships for the period 2022-2027 is expected to deliver on the European Green Deal priorities as well as the EU’s development cooperation objectives, including poverty alleviation and human rights.

In its resolution on the European Green Deal, the European Parliament called on the Commission 'to present, without delay, a proposal for a European legal framework based on due diligence to ensure sustainable and deforestation-free supply chains for products placed on the EU market, with a particular focus on tackling the main drivers of imported deforestation and instead encouraging imports that do not create deforestation abroad'.

As the timber trade continues to boom and land is cleared for agricultural purposes, forest areas are constantly shrinking.

While supporting the end goal of the European Union in cutting the link with imported deforestation, some stakeholders, including industry, wonder about the consequences that this legislation could have on ongoing efforts to improve practices with third country actors.

“Cleaning up” supply chains will remain a key priority of the EU. But industry argues that the process should build on existing actions and rely on a ‘smart mix’ of different measures, which requires the establishment of solid partnerships and mutual understanding with producing countries.

The EU engagement in negotiating Forest Partnerships for the period 2022-2027 is expected to deliver on the European Green Deal priorities as well as the EU’s development cooperation objectives, including poverty alleviation and human rights.

In its resolution on the European Green Deal, the European Parliament called on the Commission 'to present, without delay, a proposal for a European legal framework based on due diligence to ensure sustainable and deforestation-free supply chains for products placed on the EU market, with a particular focus on tackling the main drivers of imported deforestation and instead encouraging imports that do not create deforestation abroad'.

As the timber trade continues to boom and land is cleared for agricultural purposes, forest areas are constantly shrinking.

While supporting the end goal of the European Union in cutting the link with imported deforestation, some stakeholders, including industry, wonder about the consequences that this legislation could have on ongoing efforts to improve practices with third country actors.

“Cleaning up” supply chains will remain a key priority of the EU. But industry argues that the process should build on existing actions and rely on a ‘smart mix’ of different measures, which requires the establishment of solid partnerships and mutual understanding with producing countries.

Member States are in the process of submitting their recovery and resilience plans that set out a coherent package of reforms and public investment projects. To support them in their emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Commission presented its plan for a more resilient European economy: the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). This key instrument, at the heart of NextGenerationEU, is expected to mitigate the economic and social impact of COVID-19.

Because of its magnitude (€672.5 billion), rapid deployment (6 years) and innovative financing and implementation mechanisms, the RRF will pose significant new challenges to the EU and Member States, namely in terms of oversight and fraud prevention and control. It also raises important questions about how far conditionality should go and whether such large amounts of money will contribute to true reform.

How will the funds be used? How to ensure that they will be implemented in a transparent way?

Member States are in the process of submitting their recovery and resilience plans that set out a coherent package of reforms and public investment projects. To support them in their emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Commission presented its plan for a more resilient European economy: the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). This key instrument, at the heart of NextGenerationEU, is expected to mitigate the economic and social impact of COVID-19.

Because of its magnitude (€672.5 billion), rapid deployment (6 years) and innovative financing and implementation mechanisms, the RRF will pose significant new challenges to the EU and Member States, namely in terms of oversight and fraud prevention and control. It also raises important questions about how far conditionality should go and whether such large amounts of money will contribute to true reform.

How will the funds be used? How to ensure that they will be implemented in a transparent way?

According to a recent study, cogeneration or, as it is also called, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) in district heating, is thought to be an efficient enabler for reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.

With the latest Council conclusions, gas CHPs remain an important technology with a significant role in reducing emissions, especially in regions transforming away from coal and dense urban areas.

An important product that can be achieved through cogeneration is district heating. Together with cooling, heating in buildings and industry accounts for 50% of the EU’s annual energy consumption, with 60 million people using it across Member States.

While on one hand district heating produced in a cogeneration system requires considerable upfront investment, on the other, the technology, if well used, has the potential of reducing Europe’s heating infrastructure carbon footprint.

As the European Commission works on the revision of the European Energy Efficiency Directive, the Renewable Energy Directive II and the EU Emission Trading System, the energy industry is concerned about what this will mean for cogeneration plants and district heating in the future, especially in those Member States where energy transition relies on switching from coal to gas generation. More specifically, what will this entail in terms of meeting criteria and costs?

According to a recent study, cogeneration or, as it is also called, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) in district heating, is thought to be an efficient enabler for reaching carbon neutrality by 2050.

With the latest Council conclusions, gas CHPs remain an important technology with a significant role in reducing emissions, especially in regions transforming away from coal and dense urban areas.

An important product that can be achieved through cogeneration is district heating. Together with cooling, heating in buildings and industry accounts for 50% of the EU’s annual energy consumption, with 60 million people using it across Member States.

While on one hand district heating produced in a cogeneration system requires considerable upfront investment, on the other, the technology, if well used, has the potential of reducing Europe’s heating infrastructure carbon footprint.

As the European Commission works on the revision of the European Energy Efficiency Directive, the Renewable Energy Directive II and the EU Emission Trading System, the energy industry is concerned about what this will mean for cogeneration plants and district heating in the future, especially in those Member States where energy transition relies on switching from coal to gas generation. More specifically, what will this entail in terms of meeting criteria and costs?

Animal health and welfare are key dimensions of the Farm to Fork strategy (F2F), the European Commission’s pivotal agri-food policy at the heart of the EU Green Deal. High-level standards of animal health and welfare not only improve food quality, but also reduce the need for medication with antibiotics on farms and in aquaculture and contribute to preserving biodiversity.

Adequate animal nutrition combined with good hygiene practices on farms and proper housing are key in promoting and enforcing animal health and welfare. The feed sector has developed animal nutrition strategies as part of a multidisciplinary approach involving animal nutrition expertise in the design of farm health management plans. A balanced diet of compound feed supported by specialty feed ingredients meets the animal’s physiological requirements and maintains the balance of the gut flora. Gut health is in fact a key factor in keeping animals healthy and resilient to stressors, such as heat or pathogens.

How can the EU stimulate and support innovation in animal nutrition to successfully address societal demands for sustainable animal products and animal welfare? And how can the potential of the feed sector be fully exploited through better regulation?

Animal health and welfare are key dimensions of the Farm to Fork strategy (F2F), the European Commission’s pivotal agri-food policy at the heart of the EU Green Deal. High-level standards of animal health and welfare not only improve food quality, but also reduce the need for medication with antibiotics on farms and in aquaculture and contribute to preserving biodiversity.

Adequate animal nutrition combined with good hygiene practices on farms and proper housing are key in promoting and enforcing animal health and welfare. The feed sector has developed animal nutrition strategies as part of a multidisciplinary approach involving animal nutrition expertise in the design of farm health management plans. A balanced diet of compound feed supported by specialty feed ingredients meets the animal’s physiological requirements and maintains the balance of the gut flora. Gut health is in fact a key factor in keeping animals healthy and resilient to stressors, such as heat or pathogens.

How can the EU stimulate and support innovation in animal nutrition to successfully address societal demands for sustainable animal products and animal welfare? And how can the potential of the feed sector be fully exploited through better regulation?

The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, has set the way forward for all countries to act together in curbing climate change.

The EU is fighting climate change through ambitious policies at home and close cooperation with international partners.

Climate action is at the heart of the European Green Deal – an ambitious package of measures ranging from cutting greenhouse gas emissions, to investing in cutting-edge research and innovation. The EU plans to cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030. By 2050, Europe aims to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent.

President Biden has fulfilled his pledge to rejoin the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, he set a target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, a move that mirrors Europe’s own commitments.

The US and the EU, the world’s second and third-largest emitters of greenhouse gases, respectively, are now committed to renewing their alliance in the effort to deal with the climate crisis. Their aim is not only to reduce their own emissions but, by cooperating with their global partners, particularly other major economies, to strengthen the world's climate ambitions.

The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, has set the way forward for all countries to act together in curbing climate change.

The EU is fighting climate change through ambitious policies at home and close cooperation with international partners.

Climate action is at the heart of the European Green Deal – an ambitious package of measures ranging from cutting greenhouse gas emissions, to investing in cutting-edge research and innovation. The EU plans to cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030. By 2050, Europe aims to become the world’s first climate-neutral continent.

President Biden has fulfilled his pledge to rejoin the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, he set a target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050, a move that mirrors Europe’s own commitments.

The US and the EU, the world’s second and third-largest emitters of greenhouse gases, respectively, are now committed to renewing their alliance in the effort to deal with the climate crisis. Their aim is not only to reduce their own emissions but, by cooperating with their global partners, particularly other major economies, to strengthen the world's climate ambitions.

The transition towards a net zero greenhouse gas economy puts the power sector in the spotlight. The clean energy transition should result in an energy system where primary energy supply would largely come from carbon free sources.

The lower carbon intensity of natural gas – which produces half the emissions of coal when burned in power plants – and the emergence of new technologies like hydrogen are setting gas apart from other fossil fuels in the clean energy transition.

Some stakeholders argue that a partnership between renewables and gas is key because renewable power sources like wind and solar are dependent on external factors such as weather. Gas infrastructure also plays an important role in offering sustainable and cost-effective solutions in transmission, storage and LNG terminals.

But climate campaigners remain suspicious of gas. The debate isn’t just an academic one. Whether or not gas infrastructure is deemed to be part of the green energy transition will determine whether it is eligible for EU funding, which now has to be compatible with the EU Green Deal.

The transition towards a net zero greenhouse gas economy puts the power sector in the spotlight. The clean energy transition should result in an energy system where primary energy supply would largely come from carbon free sources.

The lower carbon intensity of natural gas – which produces half the emissions of coal when burned in power plants – and the emergence of new technologies like hydrogen are setting gas apart from other fossil fuels in the clean energy transition.

Some stakeholders argue that a partnership between renewables and gas is key because renewable power sources like wind and solar are dependent on external factors such as weather. Gas infrastructure also plays an important role in offering sustainable and cost-effective solutions in transmission, storage and LNG terminals.

But climate campaigners remain suspicious of gas. The debate isn’t just an academic one. Whether or not gas infrastructure is deemed to be part of the green energy transition will determine whether it is eligible for EU funding, which now has to be compatible with the EU Green Deal.

According to OECD projections, by 2030, the “Blue Economy” could outperform the growth of the global economy as a whole, both in terms of value added and employment.

The EU is a global leader in offshore wind energy, one of the fastest growing sectors, but also in developing other emerging and promising technologies like tidal and wave energy and floating solar panels and wind turbines.

The EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy aims to adopt a more coherent European approach to maritime issues in order to contribute to the creation of sustainable growth and jobs from sea-related activities. But tensions and potentially conflicting activities (transport, fisheries, energy production or leisure) are present in EU and international waters. These challenges require joint efforts through enhanced international cooperation.

It is argued that truly integrated maritime policies, adequate economic and legislative incentives, supportive public and private financial and investment flows should be the basis for sustainable ocean development.

According to OECD projections, by 2030, the “Blue Economy” could outperform the growth of the global economy as a whole, both in terms of value added and employment.

The EU is a global leader in offshore wind energy, one of the fastest growing sectors, but also in developing other emerging and promising technologies like tidal and wave energy and floating solar panels and wind turbines.

The EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy aims to adopt a more coherent European approach to maritime issues in order to contribute to the creation of sustainable growth and jobs from sea-related activities. But tensions and potentially conflicting activities (transport, fisheries, energy production or leisure) are present in EU and international waters. These challenges require joint efforts through enhanced international cooperation.

It is argued that truly integrated maritime policies, adequate economic and legislative incentives, supportive public and private financial and investment flows should be the basis for sustainable ocean development.

The rise of antimicrobial resistance is a looming global crisis, threatening our ability to treat common infectious diseases, resulting in prolonged illness, disability, and death.

Over-use and misuse of antibiotics in animals and humans is contributing to the rising threat of antibiotic resistance.

The Farm to Fork Strategy sets an ambitious target to reduce the sales of antimicrobials for farmed animals by 50% by 2030. To further limit the use and promote prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials in animals, the new regulations on veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed, to apply as of 2022, will provide for a wide range of concrete measures.

The meat sector has already made significant progress in the reduction of the use of antibiotics in recent years. For example, the EU poultry sector has seen their use slashed by 82% in Italy and by 75% in the Netherlands, with significant reductions also seen elsewhere in the EU.

The rise of antimicrobial resistance is a looming global crisis, threatening our ability to treat common infectious diseases, resulting in prolonged illness, disability, and death.

Over-use and misuse of antibiotics in animals and humans is contributing to the rising threat of antibiotic resistance.

The Farm to Fork Strategy sets an ambitious target to reduce the sales of antimicrobials for farmed animals by 50% by 2030. To further limit the use and promote prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials in animals, the new regulations on veterinary medicinal products and medicated feed, to apply as of 2022, will provide for a wide range of concrete measures.

The meat sector has already made significant progress in the reduction of the use of antibiotics in recent years. For example, the EU poultry sector has seen their use slashed by 82% in Italy and by 75% in the Netherlands, with significant reductions also seen elsewhere in the EU.

The agricultural sector is faced with exponential population growth and is under pressure from different challenges, including climate change and changing socio-economic dynamics.

Farmers need the best tools and technological solutions available to be able to grow enough crops using fewer natural resources.

The EU glyphosate re-approval process is on the agenda. The renewal of glyphosate is an example of an issue that needs in depth discussion among all stakeholders involved. For some farmers, glyphosate already plays an important role in their efforts to achieve sustainable agriculture. Stakeholders are asking how its use will develop in the future.

The Glyphosate Renewal Group (the GRG) is a collection of companies seeking the renewal of the EU authorisation of the active substance glyphosate in 2022. To this end, the GRG member companies joined resources and efforts, as provided for in Regulation 1107/2009 and encouraged by the EU institutions, and prepared a single dossier with scientific studies and information on glyphosate safety. The dossier was submitted on 8 June 2020, was found admissible by the European authorities, and is currently undergoing a scientific evaluation.

The agricultural sector is faced with exponential population growth and is under pressure from different challenges, including climate change and changing socio-economic dynamics.

Farmers need the best tools and technological solutions available to be able to grow enough crops using fewer natural resources.

The EU glyphosate re-approval process is on the agenda. The renewal of glyphosate is an example of an issue that needs in depth discussion among all stakeholders involved. For some farmers, glyphosate already plays an important role in their efforts to achieve sustainable agriculture. Stakeholders are asking how its use will develop in the future.

The Glyphosate Renewal Group (the GRG) is a collection of companies seeking the renewal of the EU authorisation of the active substance glyphosate in 2022. To this end, the GRG member companies joined resources and efforts, as provided for in Regulation 1107/2009 and encouraged by the EU institutions, and prepared a single dossier with scientific studies and information on glyphosate safety. The dossier was submitted on 8 June 2020, was found admissible by the European authorities, and is currently undergoing a scientific evaluation.

La dynamique de l'agriculture biologique en France s'est renforcée depuis 2018, principalement du côté de la production.

Pour la première fois, les ventes de produits biologiques dans les supermarchés et sur Internet ont dépassé les circuits alternatifs, ce qui montre à la fois la spécificité de l'environnement de la vente au détail en France par rapport aux autres États membres de l'UE et l'évolution du bio traditionnel en France. Néanmoins, cette croissance générale a suscité la méfiance des consommateurs, qui doutent de la véracité des produits biologiques en France.

La stratégie « De la ferme à la fourchette » de la Commission européenne, lancée au printemps 2020, comprend de nouvelles exigences fortes de la part des consommateurs en matière de durabilité dans le secteur agroalimentaire : production, distribution et consommation. La CE entend également promouvoir une consommation alimentaire plus durable ainsi que la transition vers des régimes alimentaires sains et durables. Bruxelles considère ainsi qu'il est primordial d'inverser la tendance des taux d'obésité en réduisant la consommation de viande rouge, de sucres, de sel et de graisses. Pour ce faire, il faut donner aux consommateurs les moyens de prendre des décisions saines et éclairées.

La dynamique de l'agriculture biologique en France s'est renforcée depuis 2018, principalement du côté de la production.

Pour la première fois, les ventes de produits biologiques dans les supermarchés et sur Internet ont dépassé les circuits alternatifs, ce qui montre à la fois la spécificité de l'environnement de la vente au détail en France par rapport aux autres États membres de l'UE et l'évolution du bio traditionnel en France. Néanmoins, cette croissance générale a suscité la méfiance des consommateurs, qui doutent de la véracité des produits biologiques en France.

La stratégie « De la ferme à la fourchette » de la Commission européenne, lancée au printemps 2020, comprend de nouvelles exigences fortes de la part des consommateurs en matière de durabilité dans le secteur agroalimentaire : production, distribution et consommation. La CE entend également promouvoir une consommation alimentaire plus durable ainsi que la transition vers des régimes alimentaires sains et durables. Bruxelles considère ainsi qu'il est primordial d'inverser la tendance des taux d'obésité en réduisant la consommation de viande rouge, de sucres, de sel et de graisses. Pour ce faire, il faut donner aux consommateurs les moyens de prendre des décisions saines et éclairées.

To become climate-neutral by 2050, the EU plans to transform its energy system, which accounts for 75% of its greenhouse gas emissions.

In July 2020, the Commission presented an EU strategy for energy system integration. The strategy aims to link the various energy carriers - electricity, heat, cold, gas, solid and liquid fuels - with each other and with the end-use sectors, such as buildings, transport or industry. Linking sectors will allow the optimisation of the energy system as a whole, rather than decarbonising and making separate efficiency gains in each sector independently.

The new EU strategy will involve various existing and emerging technologies, processes and business models, such as ICT and digitalisation, smart grids and meters and flexibility markets. Together with a new strategy on hydrogen, it aims to lay the foundation for the decarbonised European energy system of the future.

To become climate-neutral by 2050, the EU plans to transform its energy system, which accounts for 75% of its greenhouse gas emissions.

In July 2020, the Commission presented an EU strategy for energy system integration. The strategy aims to link the various energy carriers - electricity, heat, cold, gas, solid and liquid fuels - with each other and with the end-use sectors, such as buildings, transport or industry. Linking sectors will allow the optimisation of the energy system as a whole, rather than decarbonising and making separate efficiency gains in each sector independently.

The new EU strategy will involve various existing and emerging technologies, processes and business models, such as ICT and digitalisation, smart grids and meters and flexibility markets. Together with a new strategy on hydrogen, it aims to lay the foundation for the decarbonised European energy system of the future.

The steel industry is a major contributor to the overall CO2 emissions worldwide, and, therefore, a significant driver of climate change.

In recent years, we have seen many initiatives - from energy efficiency (waste heat recovery) and circular economy initiatives (e.g. slag treatment) to hydrogen - to decarbonise industrial processes and economic sectors where reducing carbon emissions is both urgent and hard to achieve.

Hydrogen is expected to play a key role in the future decarbonisation of the steel industry and other heavy industries. It can be used as a feedstock, a fuel or an energy carrier and storage, and has many possible applications across industry, transport, power and buildings sectors. Most importantly, it does not emit CO2 and does not pollute the air when used. It is therefore seen as an important part of the solution to meet the 2050 climate neutrality goal of the European Green Deal.

But in the short- and medium-term, governments and industries are looking more at circular economy and energy efficiency initiatives to drive down emissions from plants. How can policymakers create the right incentives to put both the 2030 and 2050 carbon targets within reach? And can this strengthen the EU industrial base at the same time?

The steel industry is a major contributor to the overall CO2 emissions worldwide, and, therefore, a significant driver of climate change.

In recent years, we have seen many initiatives - from energy efficiency (waste heat recovery) and circular economy initiatives (e.g. slag treatment) to hydrogen - to decarbonise industrial processes and economic sectors where reducing carbon emissions is both urgent and hard to achieve.

Hydrogen is expected to play a key role in the future decarbonisation of the steel industry and other heavy industries. It can be used as a feedstock, a fuel or an energy carrier and storage, and has many possible applications across industry, transport, power and buildings sectors. Most importantly, it does not emit CO2 and does not pollute the air when used. It is therefore seen as an important part of the solution to meet the 2050 climate neutrality goal of the European Green Deal.

But in the short- and medium-term, governments and industries are looking more at circular economy and energy efficiency initiatives to drive down emissions from plants. How can policymakers create the right incentives to put both the 2030 and 2050 carbon targets within reach? And can this strengthen the EU industrial base at the same time?

Gender equality is a core value of the EU, a fundamental right and key principle of the European Pillar of Social Rights.

The Gender Equality Strategy, that includes legislative proposals for achieving pay transparency, frames the European Commission’s work on gender equality. It aims at achieving a gender-equal Europe where gender-based violence, sex discrimination and structural inequality between women and men are a thing of the past. In order for both men and women to engage equally in the labour market, caring responsibilities have to be shared equally. This is at the core of the EU’s Directive on work-life balance for working parents and carers.

In today’s environment, it has never been more critical for companies to demonstrate their commitment to addressing gender inequality. The COVID-19 pandemic has made things worse for gender equality in the workplace. Professions and employment forms where women are most represented are harder hit by the economic downturn, and women are taking the load of extra care and home schooling duties during lockdown. But the crisis also represents an opportunity. If companies create more flexible and empathetic workplaces, they can nurture a culture in which women have an equal opportunity to achieve their potential.

Gender equality is a core value of the EU, a fundamental right and key principle of the European Pillar of Social Rights.

The Gender Equality Strategy, that includes legislative proposals for achieving pay transparency, frames the European Commission’s work on gender equality. It aims at achieving a gender-equal Europe where gender-based violence, sex discrimination and structural inequality between women and men are a thing of the past. In order for both men and women to engage equally in the labour market, caring responsibilities have to be shared equally. This is at the core of the EU’s Directive on work-life balance for working parents and carers.

In today’s environment, it has never been more critical for companies to demonstrate their commitment to addressing gender inequality. The COVID-19 pandemic has made things worse for gender equality in the workplace. Professions and employment forms where women are most represented are harder hit by the economic downturn, and women are taking the load of extra care and home schooling duties during lockdown. But the crisis also represents an opportunity. If companies create more flexible and empathetic workplaces, they can nurture a culture in which women have an equal opportunity to achieve their potential.

Meeting the EU’s proposed new climate targets for 2030 will require a “transformation” of the bloc’s energy system, with a renewed focus on renewables and further efforts to cut fossil fuels in buildings, transport and industry.

Hydrogen has become a central element of EU plans to reach net-zero emission by mid-century. Many climate advocates believe the future lies in green hydrogen - an inexhaustible energy carrier that can be produced using renewable electricity and an electrolyser which splits water into oxygen and hydrogen.

There are plenty of challenges ahead. Financial stability is key to enable the development of renewable energy sources. To effectively integrate renewables, investments in the development of grid infrastructure are mandatory.

Is it time to scale up technologies to reduce costs, allowing renewable energy sources such as green hydrogen to become widely used? How long might that take? And how can policymakers, especially with the upcoming review of the EU's renewables and energy efficiency directives in June 2021, help accelerate the transition to newer forms of renewable energy?

Meeting the EU’s proposed new climate targets for 2030 will require a “transformation” of the bloc’s energy system, with a renewed focus on renewables and further efforts to cut fossil fuels in buildings, transport and industry.

Hydrogen has become a central element of EU plans to reach net-zero emission by mid-century. Many climate advocates believe the future lies in green hydrogen - an inexhaustible energy carrier that can be produced using renewable electricity and an electrolyser which splits water into oxygen and hydrogen.

There are plenty of challenges ahead. Financial stability is key to enable the development of renewable energy sources. To effectively integrate renewables, investments in the development of grid infrastructure are mandatory.

Is it time to scale up technologies to reduce costs, allowing renewable energy sources such as green hydrogen to become widely used? How long might that take? And how can policymakers, especially with the upcoming review of the EU's renewables and energy efficiency directives in June 2021, help accelerate the transition to newer forms of renewable energy?

The Commission is working on a legislative proposal for a European due diligence for supply chains. The proposal intends to oblige companies to analyse and monitor their business partners at all stages of their supply chain and to reveal violations of human rights and activities harmful to the environment or violating working conditions.

The aim of the proposal is to reinforce the fight against abusive conduct by businesses, as has been highlighted in pictures of burnt-down textile factories or child labour on coffee plantations.

But what impact does such a due diligence for supply chains have on companies from various sectors, such as the mechanical engineering industry, that has supply chains all over the world? What does a due diligence obligation mean for medium-sized companies that operate internationally?

The Commission is working on a legislative proposal for a European due diligence for supply chains. The proposal intends to oblige companies to analyse and monitor their business partners at all stages of their supply chain and to reveal violations of human rights and activities harmful to the environment or violating working conditions.

The aim of the proposal is to reinforce the fight against abusive conduct by businesses, as has been highlighted in pictures of burnt-down textile factories or child labour on coffee plantations.

But what impact does such a due diligence for supply chains have on companies from various sectors, such as the mechanical engineering industry, that has supply chains all over the world? What does a due diligence obligation mean for medium-sized companies that operate internationally?

The EU’s population has never been better educated. The Europe 2020 strategy set a target that by 2020 40% of young Europeans have a higher education qualification.

Science and technology have a profound influence on our daily lives. Bridging the gap between science and policy is essential in ensuring good policy-making that is evidence-based.

Yet, society remains polarised between students from the 'Fridays for Future' campaign urging politicians to “follow the science”, climate change denial, anti-vaccine campaigns, fake news, and the ‘people are tired of experts’ narrative. This has led to a wave of public commentary and reflection on the role of experts and expertise in democracies.

The EU’s population has never been better educated. The Europe 2020 strategy set a target that by 2020 40% of young Europeans have a higher education qualification.

Science and technology have a profound influence on our daily lives. Bridging the gap between science and policy is essential in ensuring good policy-making that is evidence-based.

Yet, society remains polarised between students from the 'Fridays for Future' campaign urging politicians to “follow the science”, climate change denial, anti-vaccine campaigns, fake news, and the ‘people are tired of experts’ narrative. This has led to a wave of public commentary and reflection on the role of experts and expertise in democracies.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic started last year, privacy has been in the spotlight, becoming an even more important priority, both for individuals and companies. European citizens and businesses have had to radically realign their lives to the new reality. While IT teams struggled with the data security and privacy challenge of a sudden migration to remote working, politicians grappled with how and whether to maintain privacy safeguards as data was shared for contact tracing and medical research. Following the introduction of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2016 and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the pace of adoption of modernised data protection laws has accelerated across the world. Regardless of their country, customers and companies across the globe demand a consistent high-level of protection. In the years to come, data protection laws will continue to evolve, as will data privacy. The international flow of data will be more than ever at the heart of the discussions. Data privacy laws provide important safeguards and consumer protections but overlapping compliance and data localisation pressures raise many questions and have led to political tensions. The next phase in Europe’s privacy agenda is taking shape with the release of updated standard contractual clauses (SCCs), a proposed UK adequacy decision and transatlantic talks on the successor to Privacy Shield.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic started last year, privacy has been in the spotlight, becoming an even more important priority, both for individuals and companies. European citizens and businesses have had to radically realign their lives to the new reality. While IT teams struggled with the data security and privacy challenge of a sudden migration to remote working, politicians grappled with how and whether to maintain privacy safeguards as data was shared for contact tracing and medical research. Following the introduction of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2016 and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), the pace of adoption of modernised data protection laws has accelerated across the world. Regardless of their country, customers and companies across the globe demand a consistent high-level of protection. In the years to come, data protection laws will continue to evolve, as will data privacy. The international flow of data will be more than ever at the heart of the discussions. Data privacy laws provide important safeguards and consumer protections but overlapping compliance and data localisation pressures raise many questions and have led to political tensions. The next phase in Europe’s privacy agenda is taking shape with the release of updated standard contractual clauses (SCCs), a proposed UK adequacy decision and transatlantic talks on the successor to Privacy Shield.

According to Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission: “At the heart of the Green Deal the Biodiversity and Farm to Fork strategies point to a new and better balance of nature, food systems and biodiversity; to protect our people’s health and well-being, and at the same time to increase the EU’s competitiveness and resilience. These strategies are a crucial part of the great transition we are embarking upon.”

When the strategies were launched in May 2020, many stakeholders welcomed strategic thinking on the future of agriculture and food systems for the EU. The objective, to further environmental protection and to fight climate change, whilst furthering the economic situation of farmers and assuring food security, is clear.

According to Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission: “At the heart of the Green Deal the Biodiversity and Farm to Fork strategies point to a new and better balance of nature, food systems and biodiversity; to protect our people’s health and well-being, and at the same time to increase the EU’s competitiveness and resilience. These strategies are a crucial part of the great transition we are embarking upon.”

When the strategies were launched in May 2020, many stakeholders welcomed strategic thinking on the future of agriculture and food systems for the EU. The objective, to further environmental protection and to fight climate change, whilst furthering the economic situation of farmers and assuring food security, is clear.

COVID-19 has hit businesses hard, interrupting their operations, inducing low consumer demand and causing additional costs. But many companies were still able to make use of these unique circumstances to accelerate their digital transformation. They created customer-oriented technological solutions that tackle COVID-19 challenges, such as reducing physical customer interactions. And these solutions will make their businesses future-proof in the post-pandemic period.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), developing renewable gases is essential to advancing energy sector decarbonisation. The European Commission states in its Energy System Integration, Hydrogen and Methane emission reduction strategies that renewable gas will be critical for the transformation of the energy system.

In the effort to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, gas infrastructure seeks to transport decreasing quantities of natural gas, making way for increasing quantities of renewable and decarbonised gases produced at the local level. Several viable solutions, in various stages of commercialisation, to facilitate renewable gases production and injection into gas networks exist today.

Existing gas infrastructure brings essential flexibility and supply security for energy systems. By design, they are flexible and provide a cost-effective and reliable way to store renewable energy for long periods of time and dispatch it to meet peak demand.

Renewable gases can decarbonise all types of uses: manufacturing, industrial process and long-haul applications for freight, marine and aviation. Therefore, developing those fuels, such as biomethane and hydrogen, is seen as important to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. And this is why countries are increasingly establishing binding targets of renewable gas production and procurement. France and Québec have set a target of injecting 10% of renewable gases into the natural gas system by 2030.

The Farm to Fork Strategy is at the heart of the European Green Deal, aiming to make food systems fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly.

The aim of the Farm to Fork strategy is to make the EU food system a global standard for sustainability. But the transition to sustainable food systems will require a collective approach involving public authorities at all levels of governance, private sector actors across the food value chain, non-governmental organisations, social partners, academics and citizens.

In March 2020, European Commission President von der Leyen unveiled a ‘climate law’ to commit the 27-nation EU to reducing its net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. Six months later, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged that China would become carbon neutral by 2060. Both announcements were seen as key in the global fight against climate change.

As two high-ambition regions sharing a determination to live up to the objectives of the Paris Agreement, the EU and China are natural coalition partners. The EU wants to work closely with China to deploy a 'climate diplomacy' to share efforts with the rest of the world, especially with the biggest emitters. Together, they could exert strong pressure on other emitters to increase their ambitions, notably in Asia, a continent accounting for more than half of global emissions, but also in the Americas. It could turn 2021 into a successful year for climate action, culminating in COP-26 in November in Glasgow.

The ongoing health crisis is having a devastating impact on Europe’s restaurants, cafés and bars.

The sector has faced a patchwork of measures, ranging from curfews to maximum patron capacity to complete closure, often with minimal advance notice.

Owners are confronted with what seems to be a moving target. After last spring’s lockdowns, they invested in safety and hygiene concepts, only to revert to delivery and takeaway services, before closing down again. That has been the picture across Europe, with few exceptions.

With the prospect of a third wave, the sector is in urgent need of a consistent policy strategy that goes beyond closures and immediate financial relief.

Often confused with food security or food self-sufficiency, food sovereignty refers to the right of populations to define their own agricultural and food policies, protect and control internal agricultural production and trade, determine their margin of independence and limit dumping of imported products at low prices in their markets. This concept therefore emphasizes local production and consumption.

The EU Green Deal seeks to “transform the EU into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use”. The development of innovative solutions is thus of key importance.

There are numerous efforts aimed at achieving a more sustainable future through inventions, including in the field of agriculture, which is both strongly impacted by climate change and a driver of climate change at the same time. Its role is therefore key for a sustainable future. New technological solutions in the field of biotechnology for instance have the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to make agricultural resources more resilient to climate change.

Climate science and technology are complex topics with a high potential for controversy. But ensuring people adequately understand the climate challenges is an essential element of the global response to the climate crisis. More than ever before, the European Commission is driving Europe's ambition to lead the fight against climate change.

The European Green Deal announced by Commission President Von der Leyen in December 2019 is testament to that. As part of the Green Deal, the Commission launched a European Climate Pact to give everyone a voice and space to design new climate actions, share information, launch grassroots activities and showcase solutions that others can follow.

In the Caucasus, political stability in recent years has allowed the region to experience strong and consistent economic growth. More recently, big energy infrastructure projects such as the Southern Gas Corridor and the East-West Corridor have also underlined the strategic importance the region represents to its European neighbours.