Weather extremes are becoming more common. A recent study looks into the reasons why risk management is usually ineffective when dealing with a second more hazardous event, and takes home lessons from two success stories. Risk management has reduced human and economic vulnerability to floods and droughts, but their impact is still increasing in many […]
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SOTEU 2022: Commission proposes emergency market intervention to reduce bills for Europeans
The Commission is proposing an emergency intervention in Europe’s energy markets to tackle recent dramatic price rises. The EU is confronted with the effects of a severe mismatch between energy demand and supply, due largely to the continued weaponisation by Russia of its energy resources. To ease the increased pressure this puts on European households […]
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New rules for companies to help limit global deforestation
To fight global climate change and biodiversity loss, Parliament demands companies ensure that products sold in the EU do not come from deforested or degraded land. Plenary adopted its position on the Commission proposal for a regulation on deforestation-free products with 453 votes to 57 and 123 abstentions. The new law would make it obligatory […]
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Europe on wheels: production and export of bicycles in the EU
EU produced 13.5 million bicycles in 2021 In 2021, a total of 13.5 million bicycles were produced in the EU, indicating a 11% increase compared with 2020. The sold production of bicycles greatly varies among EU Member States for which data are available. The largest number of bicycles produced was reported in Portugal (2.9 million), Romania (2.5 million), […]
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Extraordinary Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council (Energy), 9 de septiembre de 2022
Main results EU energy ministers held two exchanges of views on the energy situation in the EU. Measures to mitigate high energy prices During the first discussion ministers expressed their preferences on different policy options to alleviate the burden of high energy prices on citizens, public services, businesses and industry, which could be implemented at the EU-level in a short […]
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What is carbon neutrality and how can it be achieved by 2050?
With the European Climate Law, the EU is committing to carbon neutrality by 2050. What does that mean in practice? Climate change is already affecting the entire world, with extreme weather conditions such as drought, heat waves, heavy raind, floods and landslides becoming more frequent, including in Europe. Other consequences of the rapidly changing climate […]
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Commission registers two new initiatives, on renewable energy and on protecting rural heritage
The Commission decided to register two European Citizens’ Initiatives, entitled ‘Every European house equipped with 1 kW photovoltaic and 0.6 kW wind turbines using EU funding through the municipalities alone’ and ‘Protect the EU’s Rural Heritage, Food Security and Supply’. The organisers of the initiative on renewable energies call for action to build and install […]
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Statement by President von der Leyen on energy
We are facing an extraordinary situation, not only because Russia is an unreliable supplier, as we have witnessed over the last days, weeks, months, but also because Russia is actively manipulating the gas market. I am deeply convinced that with our unity, our determination, our solidarity, we will prevail. And we have, over the last […]
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EU–Honduras agreement to reduce illegal timber logging and associated trade enters into force
Honduras is the first Latin American country to sign a VPA-FLEGT agreement with the European Union. September 1st marked the entry into force of the EU–Honduras voluntary partnership agreement (VPA) on forest law enforcement, governance and trade (FLEGT). This trade agreement aims to provide a legally binding framework that ensures that all timber and relevant […]
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