Defensa y Seguridad

The minimum requirement for own funds and eligible liabilities (MREL) dashboards are based on bank data reported to the Single Resolution Board (SRB) and cover entities under the SRB’s remit. The first section of the dashboard focuses on the evolution of MREL targets and shortfalls for resolution entities (external MREL) and non-resolution entities (internal MREL) and the level and the composition of MREL resources of resolution entities in Q4.2022. The second section highlights recent developments in the cost of funding and provides an overview of gross issuances of MREL-eligible instruments in Q4.20222. In Q4.2022, both resolution and non-resolution entities reported a significant reduction of the overall MREL shortfall (including the Combined Buffer Requirement (CBR) against their final targets. The level and composition of MREL resources of resolution entities remained broadly stable compared to Q3.2022. As for MREL gross issuances, rather elevated issuance activity was reported by SRB banks, including smaller and less frequent issuers. After improving between the last quarter of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, the cost of funding spiked in mid-March following the turmoil generated by the crises of SVB and Credit Suisse.

Export credits are a traditional instrument used in many Member States of the European Union to support the export activities of firms. They are typically provided by export credit agencies (ECAs), which in turn receive support from governments. There are currently 25 such ECAs in 21 EU Member States. Financial and indirect support to exporters provided through these ECAs is significant. Recent policy initiatives of the European Commission, such as the EuropeanGreen Deal and Global Gateway, raise the question of how aligned these transactions and their underlying due diligence practices are vis-à-vis high-ranking policy goals such as the green transition. The objective of the present study is to explore and compare EU trade policy in the field of export credits with a view to their alignment with these policy goals. Drawing on information from ECA annual activity reports in conjunction with expert interviews, this study identifies ongoing commitments, practices and standards and discusses the extent to which ECAs are in line with EU policy commitments. The paper outlines a set of recommendations on how ECA coherence with EU goals could be strengthened in the future, proposing, among other things, that the EU push for more systemic forms of climate risk assessment and more ambitious public disclosure practices among ECAs.

Este informe destaca el estado actual de la producción de biocombustibles avanzados, incluyendo diversas tecnologías y retos a los que se enfrenta la industria. A pesar de la existencia de vías comerciales para la producción de biocombustibles avanzados, la capacidad instalada y la producción prevista son limitadas.

With the highest extreme poverty rate (54%) on the continent, biodiversity degradation is being aggravated in Central Africa. This is mainly due to a growing population lacking job opportunities outside the forest. The lack of jobs leads communities near protected areas to organise poaching and trafficking of wildlife. With weak and non-diversified economies, central African countries are experiencing financial difficulties in sustaining conservation in the Congo Basin Forest. Ecotourism has become an important economic activity. It generates jobs for local communities and funds conservation of biodiversity in developing countries. Kenya, Uganda, Botswana and recently Rwanda are great examples of what ecotourism can do for conservation and economic development. According to a recent EU publication, visits to protected areas generate significant revenue for proper management including providing the financial capacity to sustain anti-poaching efforts.

Este informe investiga el estado y la tendencia de los combustibles renovables de origen no biológico (RFNBO), excepto el hidrógeno, que son necesarios para cubrir parte de la demanda de combustibles renovables de la UE en los próximos años.

This Periodic Report provides an overview of the activities of the Working Groups (WGs) under the strategic framework for European cooperation in education and training towards the European Education Area and beyond (2021-2030) from the beginning of the current mandates in November 2021 until end of March 2023 and presents tentative activities and outputs foreseen up until the end of 2023. It also sets out key features of some of the WGs interim deliverables and main outputs so far, provides information on the synergies as well as on the WG activities as part of the EU Education Solidarity Group for Ukraine, followed by some first observations on the functioning of the WGs during this first phase of their mandates.