The Council has adopted its negotiating positions (general approaches) on two legislative proposals that tackle the energy aspects of the EU’s climate transition under the ‘Fit for 55’ package: the renewable energies directive and the energy efficiency directive. The agreements pave the way for the Council to start negotiations with the European Parliament. Energy production […]
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Council adopts regulation on gas storage
The Council has definitively adopted a regulation aiming to ensure that gas storage capacities in the EU are filled before the winter season and can be shared between member states in a spirit of solidarity, despite the disruptions in the gas market. This is an important step in strengthening the security of the EU’s energy […]
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Green Deal: pioneering proposals to restore Europe’s nature by 2050 and halve pesticide use by 2030
Today, the Commission adopted pioneering proposals to restore damaged ecosystems and bring nature back across Europe, from agricultural land and seas, to forests and urban environments. The Commission also proposes to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides by 50% by 2030. These are the flagship legislative proposals to follow the Biodiversity and Farm to Fork […]
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Digital Assembly 2022: A closer look into the digital future
Joint press release by the European Commission and the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union At the Digital Assembly, held on 21 and 22 June in Toulouse, the European Commission and the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union have organised a session on continued support for Ukraine’s digital sector. This […]
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Council and Parliament agree to reduce limit values for the presence of persistent organic pollutants in waste
The Council and the Parliament reached a provisional deal concerning the revision of annexes to the persistent organic pollutant regulation in order to set further restrictions to the presence of these substances in waste. Persistent organic pollutants are particularly harmful chemicals. Although they are generally no longer used in new products, they can still be […]
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Cutting emissions from planes and ships: EU actions explained
Emissions from planes and ships are increasing, while the EU wants to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Read about EU measures to reduce their emissions Despite only accounting for about 8 % of the EU’s total emissions, emissions from aviation and shipping are increasing. In an effort to cut the EU’s total emissions 55 % […]
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EU and Egypt step up cooperation on climate and energy
Today in Cairo, on the occasion of the visit of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her meeting with Egyptian President El Sisi, the EU and Egypt issued a joint statement on climate, energy and the green transition. The EU and Egypt will join efforts to implement the Paris Agreement and ensure ambitious outcomes at COP27, which takes place […]
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Forest fires: European Commission puts its firefighting fleet in place for the 2022 season
As of today, the EU’s fleet of firefighting aircraft will be operational to help European countries fight forest fires throughout peak season. The fleet is part of rescEU, a European reserve of resources that responds to emergencies. Positioned in Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Spain and Sweden, 12 firefighting airplanes and 1 firefighting helicopter will be […]
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Commission carries out unannounced inspections in the water infrastructure sector over alleged bid-rigging
The European Commission is conducting unannounced inspections in a Member State at the premises of companies active in the construction of networks and treatment plants for drinking water and wastewater. The Commission has concerns that certain companies may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices (Article 101 of the Treaty on […]
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