Iskanje
Net-zero industry act
The deployment of clean energy technologies required to support the achievement of Europe's 2030 and 2050 climate targets is considerable. Europe already largely imports these technologies, and like many third countries is increasing efforts to expand clean energy manufacturing capacity to reduce strategic dependencies for key products. On 16 March 2023, the Commission put forward a proposal for a 'net-zero industry act' that aims to expand the manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies in the ...
Establishing an EU customs data hub and an EU customs authority
Today's massive increase in trade volumes, combined with the need to do border checks for compliance with the growing number of EU standards and to stay abreast of the continuously evolving trade strategies, has put EU customs authorities under a lot of pressure. Concerns have been raised that the EU's customs union is burdened by an uneven level of digitalisation across Member States, suboptimal coordination between the national authorities and overall complexity. This situation creates high administrative ...
EU nature restoration regulation: Setting binding targets for healthy ecosystems
As announced in the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, on 22 June 2022 the European Commission tabled a proposal for a nature restoration regulation. The proposed regulation would set multiple binding restoration targets and obligations across a broad range of ecosystems, from forests and agricultural land to urban areas, rivers and marine habitats, complementing other existing legal instruments. Altogether, these nature restoration measures should cover at least 20 % of the EU's land and sea areas ...
EU 'farm to fork' strategy: State of play
The 'farm to fork' strategy is about building sustainable EU food systems, in line with the EU's Green Deal. Launched in May 2020, its elements are moving at different speeds, with much debate on its objectives and priorities. The EU institutions are helping to shape the various elements of the strategy. This is an update of an 'at a glance' note first published in October 2021.
Revision of the Ozone Regulation
The Ozone Regulation is the main legal instrument governing ozone-depleting substances (ODS). Although it is still considered fit for purpose, there is a need to cut ODS emissions further, in line with the goals of the European Green Deal and the targets set by the EU Climate Law. In April 2022, the European Commission submitted a proposal to amend the regulation; a provisional agreement was reached on 5 October 2023 in interinstitutional negotiations. Parliament is due to vote at first reading on ...
Policy Departments’ Monthly Highlights January 2024
European Council conclusions: A rolling check-list of commitments to date
The role of the European Council – to 'provide the Union with the necessary impetus for its development' and to define its 'general political directions and priorities' – has evolved rapidly over the past decade. Since June 2014, the European Council Oversight Unit within the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS), the European Parliament's in-house research service and think tank, has been monitoring and analysing the European Council's delivery on commitments made in the conclusions of ...
COP28 climate change conference: Outcomes
The 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, ended on 13 December 2023. The conference operationalised the Loss and Damage Fund, which was established by COP27 in 2022. It also concluded the first global stocktake of climate action under the Paris Agreement and adopted a decision calling for accelerated short-term action and an orderly transition away from fossil fuels towards climate-neutral energy systems – the first-ever ...
European hydrogen bank
Hydrogen has an important role in helping the EU achieve its target of climate neutrality by 2050. In March 2023, the Commission announced the European hydrogen bank, to facilitate investment in the hydrogen value chain. This initiative aims to support production and imports of hydrogen in the EU. In November, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted an own-initiative report, suggesting key improvements. The text is due to be voted by the Parliament during the December plenary session ...
EU-China relations
Even before the EU's 2019 'EU-China strategic outlook' defined China as a partner, competitor and systemic rival, China's behaviour had become more assertive, not only in terms of domestic security and economic policies, but also in its posture at international level. The Parliament is set to debate and vote on an own-initiative report on EU-China relations. The plenary debate follows the EU-China Summit planned for 7-8 December in Beijing.