According to the most recent annual survey on the use of ICT in households and by individuals, online shopping continues to grow in the EU. In 2022, 91% of EU citizens aged 16 to 74 had used the internet, with 75% purchasing or ordering goods or services for personal use. The proportion of e-shoppers increased […]
Can we halve the use of pesticides in the EU by 2030?
Pesticides and fertilisers can be important tools in modern farming. When used correctly, fertilisers provide essential nutrients for crop growth, while pesticides can help protect those crops from harmful pests and diseases. The problem is that agriculture has become too dependent on both. Instead of being applied when and where they’re needed, it’s become standard […]
How is the EU working on the circular economy?
By using this model of production and consumption, we can reduce pollution and look to the future with greater optimism. What is the EU currently doing to promote the circular economy? The European Parliament defines the circular economy as: “a model of production and consumption that involves sharing, renting, reusing, repairing, restoring and reusing existing […]
Humanitarian airlifts organised by the EU for Syrian earthquake survivors
Many people have lost their houses and means of support as a result of one of the strongest earthquakes to ever hit the area, and they urgently need assistance. Syria Two planes carrying emergency aid landed in Damascus as part of an EU humanitarian air bridge for Syria, providing additional assistance to Syrians affected by […]
10th Russian sanctions package agreed by the EU
On 25 February 2023, the Council adopted the tenth package of restrictive measures in response to Russia’s continuing war of aggression against Ukraine. The agreed package includes bans on: exports of critical technology and industrial goods imports of asphalt and synthetic rubber provision of gas storage capacity to Russians transit through Russia of EU exported dual-use goods and technology […]
EU reviews measures restricting aid to Syria to speed up delivery of humanitarian aid
The Assad regime and its supporters, as well as industries where the regime was making money, are the targets of EU sanctions in force regarding Syria. The sanctions policy does not forbid the EU from exporting goods to Syria, including food, medicine, or medical equipment, and it does not target Syria’s healthcare system. To ensure […]
European Union condemns North Korea’s launch of intercontinental and short-range missiles
The EU strongly condemns the DPRK’s illegal launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile on 18 February and the subsequent firing of short range ballistic missiles on 20 February. These were dangerous and reckless actions that blatantly violated UN Security Council resolutions. The DPRK’s intention to continue developing the means to deliver nuclear weapons anywhere in […]
The Council will include REPowerEU chapters in the Recovery and Resilience Facility
The Council formally adopted a regulation modifying the Recovery and Resilience Facility to include REPowerEU chapters. The goal is to increase the EU’s strategic autonomy by diversifying its energy supplies and ending its reliance on Russian fossil fuel imports. This is the last step in the adoption process. In practise, under NextGenerationEU, member states will […]
European Commission approves €460M aid to ArcelorMittal Spain to support decarbonisation of its steel production
The European Commission has approved a €460 million Spanish measure under EU state aid rules to help ArcelorMittal España (“ArcelorMittal”) to partially decarbonise its steel production. The support will help achieve the objectives of the EU Hydrogen Strategy and the European Green Pact and reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels and accelerate the green transition […]