The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €612 million Portuguese scheme to lower electricity levy rates for energy-intensive companies. The scheme intends to reduce the risk that these energy-intensive companies relocate their activities to countries outside the EU with less ambitious climate policies. An energy-intensive company is a business that consumes […]
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EU takes new step to protect High Seas biodiversity
Last April 24, the Commission is presenting a proposal to integrate the landmark international Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction’ (BBNJ) Agreement, which aims to protect the ocean, tackle environmental degradation, fight climate change, and curb biodiversity loss, into EU law. This will also help the Member States with the implementation in their national systems. Signed by the President […]
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MEPs advocate storage refill flexibility to bring down prices
The draft law adopted on Thursday seeks to address speculation on the gas market and bring down prices, by introducing greater flexibility in rules on gas storage refilling. The Industry, Research and Energy Committee has backed the Commission proposal to extend the EU’s 2022 gas storage scheme until 31 December 2027; it was otherwise set to end […]
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Updated rules for safer roads, less air pollution and digital vehicle documents
For better road safety and air quality across the EU, the Commission is proposing a comprehensive overhaul of the EU’s road safety and vehicle registration rules. The new rules will take into account the growing presence of electric vehicles and adapt to emerging technologies. They will introduce enhanced inspections, including periodic technical inspections for electric vehicles and advanced driver-assistance […]
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How is the EU acting on climate change?
Today, 22 April, is International Mother Earth Day. We would therefore like to recall the work the European Union is doing to combat climate change and the commitment the Member States have agreed on for 2050. EU countries have made a legal commitment to combat climate change by moving to a climate-neutral economy with zero […]
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New plan to boost the EU’s circular economy
On 16 April, the European Commission adopted the 2025-2030 working plan for the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) and Energy Labelling Regulation. The plan provides a list of products that should be prioritised to introduce ecodesign requirements and energy labelling over the next five years. This will foster sustainable, repairable, circular and energy efficient products across Europe, in line […]
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New rules to reduce microplastic pollution
Last April 8th, the Council and the European Parliament provisionally agreed on a regulation on preventing the loss of plastic pellets – the industrial raw materials used to make plastic products – into the environment. The new rules will help improve the handling of plastic pellets at all stages of the supply chain, both on […]
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Parliamentary proposals to support energy-intensive industries
The EU must take action to strengthen the competitiveness of energy-intensive industries and help them make the transition to clean industrial processes. In a resolution adopted on Thursday, the plenary notes that energy-intensive industries, such as those involved in the production of chemicals, steel, paper, cement and glass, are crucial to the EU economy and […]
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EU launches Humanitarian Air Bridge after Myanmar earthquake and provides further assistance
Following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar and the broader region last Friday, the EU is channelling further assistance to strengthen relief efforts. Concretely, the EU has launched a Humanitarian Air Bridge operation, with the first flight departing today from Copenhagen to Yangon. The cargo of 80 tonnes of EU owned supplies including tents, child protection […]
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