European Union

In an emerging multipolar world, Germany will need to be more assertive to defend European and transatlantic values. However, it remains to be seen if the new Chancellor Olaf Scholz will rise to the occasion, and the first signs are not too promising.

The Commission’s newly proposed methane legislation offers important technical measures but ignores the bulk of Europe’s methane footprint from imported gas. It is now up to MEPs and member states to build on international momentum and bolster Europe’s ambition.

On the back of the COVID pandemic, experts point to mounting evidence suggesting that women's involvement in the agrifood sector creates businesses more able to withstand crises, yet women still make up less than one-third of agri start-up leaders.

Changing the names of institutions, forming transnational lists, and questioning the unanimity vote are among  39 recommendations approved by the citizens' panel on democracy at a Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE) panel in Florence last weekend. But some of the recommendations headed for the Commission might be met with resistance.

The European Commission’s efficient and green mobility package aims to cut transport emissions by making urban mobility cleaner. But electrifying our vehicles is not enough: To reach Europe’s Green Deal goals, cycling must be championed, writes Jill Warren.

The Regulation on Health Technology Assessment (HTA) was adopted by the European Parliament on Monday (13 December) after more than three years of work.

Pornhub has criticised France's broadcasting regulator for sending warnings on Monday (13 December) to five porn-hosting websites over easy accessibility for minors. According to the pornography giant, the decision "encroaches upon the privacy of adults" and ignores most of the industry that remains uncontrolled. EURACTIV France reports.

Alexei Navalny’s daughter Daria Navalnaya received the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize on behalf of her imprisoned father at a ceremony on 15 December.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

Alexei Navalny’s daughter Daria Navalnaya received the European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize on behalf of her imprisoned father at a ceremony on 15 December.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

The European Commission on Wednesday (15 December) proposed rules allowing EU countries to jointly buy strategic reserves of gas, under plans that would also bolster gas storage and aim to add more low-carbon gases to the network.

Written by Liselotte Jensen.

At a time when the European Union (EU) is preparing a major revision of its climate and energy framework in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the targets set in the European Climate Law, this briefing looks at overall progress on climate action.

Although the EU met its 2020 targets for reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) and increasing renewable energy use and energy efficiency in the extraordinary context of the coronavirus crisis, pandemic recovery led energy consumption and emissions to rebound in 2021. Member States are required to invest 37 % of EU Recovery and Resilience Facility Funds on climate objectives.

The European Climate Law sets the targets of reducing net GHG emissions by ‘at least’ 55 % by 2030, compared with 1990, and achieving climate neutrality by 2050. However, current climate and energy legislation for the 2021-2030 period is still based on a lower 2030 target of 40 % emission reduction, as are Member States’ national energy and climate plans (NECPs) for the 2021-2030 period, required by the Governance Regulation. With the ‘fit for 55’ package presented in July 2021, the Commission is aiming to bring EU climate and energy legislation in line with the new targets. Member States need to update their NECPs by June 2024.

Read the complete briefing on ‘Climate action in the European Union: Latest state of play‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Renewable energy shares and targets per Member State Renewable energy share of gross final energy consumption (EU-27) Average EU-27 emissions: New passenger cars (g CO2/km) Primary and final energy consumption (Mtoe, EU-27) Emissions under the Effort-sharing Decision/Regulation (MtCO2e, EU-27) Total GHG emissions by sector (MtCO2e) (rounded data, EU-27) Carbon intensity of the EU-27 economy: GHG emissions (gCO2e) per unit of GDP (euro in 2015 prices) Emissions and allocations per policy sector (EU-27) Total, LULUCF and net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (MtCO2e, EU-27) Total greenhouse gas emissions (tCO2e) per inhabitant in 2019

Alexei Navalny’s daughter, Daria Navalnaya, received European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize on behalf of her imprisoned father at a ceremony on 15 December.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

Alexei Navalny’s daughter, Daria Navalnaya, received European Parliament’s Sakharov Prize on behalf of her imprisoned father at a ceremony on 15 December.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

The European Commission on Tuesday (14 December) unveiled four initiatives aimed at readying Europe's transport network for a low-carbon future – a set of proposals hailed by Greenpeace for "exceeding expectations" when it comes to promoting rail transport.

The European Commission on Wednesday (15 December) unveiled a package of gas legislation that aims to steer Europe away from fossil gas towards more sustainable energy sources, like renewable and low-carbon hydrogen.

A new recommendation to the Dutch government suggests a hybrid risk approach on Legionella bacteria monitoring in implementing the new EU's tap water rules at member state levels.

The most effective response to the resurgence of COVID-19 is vaccination, say MEPs, addressing the main topic on the agenda of the European Council.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

The most effective response to the resurgence of COVID-19 is vaccination, say MEPs, addressing the main topic on the agenda of the European Council.

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

The updated rules to select which energy projects will receive EU support were informally agreed between MEPs and the Slovenian Presidency of the Council, on Wednesday.
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP

The updated rules to select which energy projects will receive EU support were informally agreed between MEPs and the Slovenian Presidency of the Council, on Wednesday.
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

Source : © European Union, 2021 - EP