In a world facing a crisis due to lack of semiconductors, the European Chips Act aims to secure the EU’s supply by boosting domestic production. Since late 2020, there has been an unprecedented shortage of semiconductors around the globe. The semiconductor supply chain is very complex and vulnerable to events such as the Covid-19 outbreak. […]
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European Commission proposes tougher CO2 emission standards for trucks and buses
The European Commission has presented ambitious new CO2 emission targets for new heavy duty vehicles from 2030. These targets will help reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector, as trucks, city buses and long-distance buses generate more than 6% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and more than 25% of greenhouse gas emissions […]
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Member States update EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes
On 14 February 2023, EU Member States agreed on the latest update the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes. Following the update, Annex I of the EU list is made up of 16 jurisdictions due to their lack of commitment to improve their tax good governance or due to the lack of progress […]
Read MoreSpecial committee on foreign interference to deal with corruption allegations
Following revelations of alleged foreign interference and the ongoing investigations into corruption in the Parliament, the special committee will get new tasks. Parliament endorsed on Tuesday an update to the title and the responsibilities of the existing Special committee on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation (ING2). To protect […]
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European Commission signs agreement with ICO to invest €150 million in sustainable infrastructure in Spain
The European Commission and the Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO) signed an agreement under the InvestEU guarantee scheme for up to €75 million. The guarantee package will help leverage ICO funding of up to €150 million to invest in sustainable infrastructure in Spain and other Member States. This public investment is expected to mobilise an […]
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The European Commission is committed to talent in rural areas
The European Commission is actively committed to preserving rural regions and combating depopulation. Initiatives such as the Rural Observatory, the Rural Pact, the EU Rural Action Plan or Regions of the EU aim to publicise the potential of rural environments to develop them and reactivate the economy and attract talent, something also favored by the […]
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Electricity from renewable sources increased by 5% in the EU in 2021
In absolute terms, the production of electricity from renewable energy sources increased by almost 5% from 2020 to 2021. However, also gross electricity consumption increased mainly due to economic recovery after lifting COVID-19 restrictions. As a result, the share of renewable energy sources in gross electricity consumption in the EU only increased by 0.1 percentage points (pp), from 37.4% in 2020 to […]
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European Comission publishes the Winter Economic forecast for Spain
Spain weathered relatively well the negative shocks unleashed by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in 2022. The resilience of the economy was underpinned by the strong rebound in tourism over the summer season and dynamism of private consumption, also supported by positive labour market developments. Compared to the Autumn Forecast, growth for 2022 is […]
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European Commission sets rules to define what constitutes renewable hydrogen in the EU
The Commission has proposed detailed rules to define what constitutes renewable hydrogen in the EU, with the adoption of two Delegated Acts required under the Renewable Energy Directive. These Acts are part of a broad EU regulatory framework for hydrogen which includes energy infrastructure investments and state aid rules, and legislative targets for renewable hydrogen […]
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