European Union

Going green is not a new phase in the world of sustainable packaging, it’s a necessity. In the case of sustainable packaging, it has and can make its contribution to climate change mitigation, and at the EU level, to achieving the goals of the very ambitious European Green Deal of climate neutrality.

Just four months after the European Commission tabled its revised Energy Efficiency Directive, campaigners said they were “extremely worried” about attempts by some EU countries to dilute the proposal.

EU co-legislators found a middle ground on the Data Governance Act (DGA) by adopting new rules for data sharing, marking the first step of the European data strategy.

The proposals made at the Conference on the Future of Europe for a fiscal union, veto-free EU decision making in foreign affairs, and transnational lists will need backing by civil society if they are to succeed, according to the newly elected president of the Young European Federalists.

The European Union called on Beijing on Tuesday (30 November) to show proof of the wellbeing of tennis star Peng Shuai, adding its voice to international concern about her fate since she alleged sexual assault by a former top Chinese official.

HSBC, Deutsche Bank and Swiss Re have thrown their support behind ESG Book, a new environment, social and governance (ESG) data platform launched on Wednesday (1 December) to 'disrupt' the market with a free "public good" service for companies and investors.

After 16 years in opposition, the Germans Greens are back in government, taking the reins of three powerful ministries – an unprecedented feat, which also strengthens their hand in Brussels as they now have a direct link to the new government in Berlin.

Written by Philippe Perchoc.

Valéry Giscard d’Estaing was one of Europe’s leading figures in the generation which came after that of the founding fathers. He was close to Jean Monnet, but he himself said that his main source of inspiration was Robert Schuman. For both Schuman and Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, their relationship with Germany was a thread running through their lives.

Valéry Giscard d’Estaing was born in Koblenz, Germany, where his father had been posted in the French administration after the First World War. Giscard d’Estaing was involved in the liberation of Paris at a very young age and then in military operations at the end of the Second World War. After studying engineering, he chose a career in public administration, going on to be an economic adviser in various post-war French governments.

He was later elected as an MP in Auvergne, where his family had roots, and was then appointed Secretary of State for Finance at the very young age of 32. He held various ministerial positions in this field, moving in European circles and spending time with colleagues from other European Community Member States. Elected French President in 1974, he favoured a policy of economic and social liberalism. His main accomplishments came in the areas of women’s, young people’s and disabled persons’ rights. At international level, he drew on the support of the German Chancellor, Helmut Schmidt, to develop political and monetary initiatives.

Defeated in the 1981 elections, he continued his political career at regional, national and European level. He carried on working to bring about monetary union and develop the Franco-German partnership, before chairing the Convention on the Future of Europe, which culminated in the drafting of the Constitutional Treaty. Despite his disappointment at the rejection of that treaty, he continued to serve Europe until the end of his life.

Read the complete briefing on ‘Valéry Giscard d’Estaing: The optimist of the European integration process‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

New gas boilers placed on the European market could soon be required to operate with “at least 20% hydrogen” under new standards being envisaged at EU level.

While the European Commission and EU countries struggle to contain the latest surge in coronavirus infections, thousands of vaccine-averse Europeans are paying for fake COVID passes while not getting the jab. EURACTIV network reports.

Angela Merkel's departure from the political stage after 16 years as chancellor has not only ushered in a new era in Germany but also shakes up the power balance in the EU.

In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about Finland losing its top spot when it comes to the education of young people, Bulgarian police finding fake COVID-19 passes, and so much more.

The World Health Organization warned countries on Tuesday (30 November) not to impose blanket travel bans over the new Omicron coronavirus variant as governments and scientists try to determine how much protection current vaccines would offer against the strain.

The implementation of the national recovery and resilience plan is expected to contribute 1.4% to Croatia’s GDP growth in 2022 and 2023, a conference was told in Zagreb. EURACTIV’s partner, Hanza Media, organised the conference to mark 30 years of...

A recommendation to work from home when possible is in force once again from Wednesday and applies to all companies, according to Portugal’s Ministry of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security. The return of the recommendation of teleworking was approved in...

A health emergency is set to be declared in the Basque Country to help local authorities contain the spread of COVID-19, according to the regional government, EURACTIV’s partner EFE reported. The Basque executive said it was ready to take strict measures...

Italian mayors have proposed the government make masks mandatory outdoors from 6 December to 15 January, the president of the association for Italian municipalities Antonio Decaro announced on Tuesday. On the same day, a meeting occurred between the internal minister...

Poland's president on Tuesday (30 November) signed into law legislation that will limit the access of aid charities and journalists to its border with Belarus as the country grapples with a simmering migrant crisis, Reuters reports. The law is a blow to the opposition parties that advocated for unlimited media access, an amendment approved by the upper house of parliament on Friday but rejected by the lower house.