To stimulate and support the competitiveness of sustainable road transport, the European Commission is proposing to exempt zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles from road tolls and user charges. As pledged in its Industrial Action Plan for the European automotive sector, the Commission is proposing to extend the current exemption period from 31 December 2025 to 30 June 2031, providing a significant […]
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President von der Leyen in Seville for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development
President Ursula von der Leyen will participate in the 4th UN Conference on Financing for Development, which takes place today, 30 June, in Seville. The annual under-investment in the Sustainable Development Goals has been growing, and new approaches are needed to mobilise more financing. Together with its global partners, the European Union aims to lay […]
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Parliament and Council seek bringing down prices of gas
MEPs and the Polish Presidency of the Council reached an informal agreement on Tuesday to extend the EU’s 2022 gas storage scheme until 31 December 2027, as it would otherwise have expired at the end of 2025. The provision is designed to ensure gas supply security ahead of the winter season. MEPs and Council also […]
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Clean Industrial Pact must reconcile competitiveness and climate action
The Industrial Decarbonisation Bank and the Affordable Energy Action Plan are crucial for the competitiveness and resilience of European industry, says the EP. The resolution adopted by the plenary on Thursday is a response to the European Commission’s Clean Industrial Pact Plan. It stresses the need to combine climate action with industrial competitiveness. It also […]
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Europe’s bathing waters safe for summer swimming
From Europe’s coastal waters to its inland bathing sites, a large majority of Europe’s waters are safe to swim in, according to the latest European bathing water assessment for the 2024 bathing season, published today. It found that over 85% of monitored locations met the European Union’s most stringent ‘excellent’ bathing water quality standards last […]
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EP calls for more coordinated and resilient European electricity grids
Parliament on Thursday put forward measures to modernise the EU’s electricity grid, make it more resilient, integrate renewables and speed up permitting. The text adopted by the plenary calls for the implementation of the European action plan for electricity grids and stresses the need for ambitious investment and substantial improvements in infrastructure, with the aim […]
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Commission welcomes deal to simplify and strengthen carbon border adjustment mechanism
The European Commission welcomed the provisional political agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council last June 18 on the Commission proposal to simplify and strengthen the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). On 26 February 2025, the Commission proposed simplifications to the CBAM regulation to reduce administrative burdens for businesses, while maintaining the functionality […]
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Commission assesses nuclear investment needs for 2050 goals
Delivering Member States’ plans regarding nuclear energy will require significant investments, of around €241 billion until 2050, both for lifetime extensions of existing reactors and the construction of new large-scale reactors. Additional investments are needed for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) and microreactors and in fusion for the longer-term future, the Commission has assessed […]
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EU local leaders launch coalition of coastal regions at the UN Ocean Conference
Regions and cities come together in Nice to strengthen coastal adaptation and shape inclusive global ocean governance. The UN Ocean Conference 2025 is taking place in Nice (France) from 7-13 June, jointly organised by France and Costa Rica. The delegation of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) is joining forces with other EU institutions, […]
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