The Commission today published EU guidelines to ensure that activities in the cultural and creative sectors are safely resumed across the EU. Now that the epidemiological situation is improving and vaccination campaigns are going faster and faster, Member States are gradually reopening cultural venues and activities. The aim of the guidelines published today is to […]
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New R&D project to focus on interoperability standards for unmanned systems
The implementation of INTERACT (‘Interoperability Standards for Unmanned Armed Forces Systems’), a project selected under the 2019 call for proposals for the EU Preparatory Action on Defence Research (PADR) managed by EDA, was officially launched at an online kick-off meeting on 21 June 2021. The aim of this 1.5 M€ project, financed by the European Commission, is […]
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Universal access to sexual and reproductive health
EU countries should ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health. MEPs urge member states to protect and further enhance women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights in a report adopted on Thursday. With 378 votes in favour, 255 against and 42 abstentions, plenary states that the right to health, in particular sexual and reproductive […]
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Average car emissions kept increasing in 2019, final data show
Average emissions from new passenger cars in Europe increased for the third consecutive year in 2019, reaching 122.3 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre (g CO2/km), according to the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) final data. Data about newly registered vans show a stable trend. New EEA data set baseline for emission reductions in heavy-duty vehicles. The EEA […]
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EUROPEAN AGENDA: Education and Culture
The European Union, through its various institutions and agencies, continues to propose support measures in the field of culture and education, focusing on the well-being of Europeans and increased educational opportunities throughout the Member states. These days the focus has been on digitalization and the budget for education and culture. To this effect, we […]
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“The Hungarian bill is a shame”, Von der Leyen
Statement by European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, on the new Hungarian bill that discriminates against people based on their sexual orientation: This Hungarian bill is a shame. I have instructed the responsible commissioners to send a letter to express our legal concerns before the bill enters into force. This bill clearly discriminates against […]
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CJEU ruling against Spain for failing to comply with several of its obligations to protect Doñana
Spain should have taken into account illegal water abstractions and those destined for urban supply in the estimation of groundwater abstractions in the Doñana region The Doñana Natural Area in Andalusia includes, among others, the Doñana National Park and the Doñana Natural Park. In 2006, three outstanding conservation areas of European importance under the Habitats […]
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European aircraft fleet for the 2021 forest fire season
To be prepared for any large-scale wild fires this season, the European Commission has set up a European fleet* of 11 firefighting planes and 6 helicopters hosted across Member States under the rescEU system. The Commission also issued guidelines to Member States to strengthen their fire prevention measures. Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said: […]
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COVID-19 in Europe: increased pollution from masks, gloves and other single-use plastics
The coronavirus pandemic has challenged European societies in many ways. The European Environment Agency’s (EEA) briefing, published yesterday, analyses the pandemic’s effect on the use of certain single-use plastics products, which cause greenhouse gas and other emissions and can end up littering the environment. It also brings useful lessons to improve our response to future […]
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