Today, the Commission adopted three new initiatives that are necessary for making the European Green Deal a reality. The Commission is proposing new rules to curb EU-driven deforestation, as well as new rules to facilitate intra-EU waste shipments to promote circular economy and tackle the export of illegal waste and waste challenges to third countries. The […]
COP26: European Commission announces €1 billion pledge to protect world forests
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced today €1 billion at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow as the European Union contribution to the Global Forests Finance Pledge. This 5-year support package from the EU budget will help partner countries to protect, restore and sustainably manage forests worldwide and deliver on […]
Commission proposes a progressive roll-out of the new In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation
The European Commission has proposed a progressive roll-out of the new In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation to prevent disruption in the supply of these essential healthcare products. The unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have diverted resources from Member States, health institutions and economic operators towards addressing the crisis, thereby hampering the capacity to […]
LIFE Programme: Innovative financing schemes for sustainable energy investments
Objective The topic aims to set up innovative financing schemes for sustainable energy investments. In view of the ambitious EU climate and energy policy, including dedicated targets for the years 2030 and 2050, significantly enhanced investments will be needed. This is also clearly reflected in the European Green Deal Investment Plan, which aims at mobilising […]
New online tool to support teacher digital skills
On World Teachers Day, the European Commission is launching an online tool to help teachers to review and get feedback on how they are currently using digital tools and technologies. The tool, ‘SELFIEforTEACHERS’ is designed to support primary and secondary teachers to understand their current situation regarding how they use digital technology in their work. […]
State aid: Commission to further facilitate implementation of aid measures promoting the green and digital transition
The European Commission is inviting Member States and all other interested parties to comment on certain proposed amendments to the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER). The purpose of the proposed revision is to reflect the changes to various sets of State aid Guidelines, which are currently being reviewed and to further facilitate public support for the EU’s green and […]
Healthy Lifestyle: Commission launches a European-wide campaign
The Commission launched the HealthyLifestyle4All campaign to promote a healthy lifestyle for all, across generations and social groups, with the objective to improve the health and well-being of Europeans. Linking sport and active lifestyles with health, food and other policies, this two-year campaign involves civil society, non-governmental organisations, national, local and regional authorities and international bodies. […]
Simpler EU energy labels for lighting products
To help EU consumers cut their energy bills and carbon footprint, a brand new version of the widely-recognised EU energy label for light bulbs and other lighting products will be applicable in all shops and online retail outlets from Wednesday, 1 September 2021. The move follows the considerable improvement in energy efficiency in this sector […]
Protecting birds from the dangers of power lines
In the Slovak Republic, around 10 000 birds are killed by power lines each year. A LIFE award-winning project has come up with some ingenious ways to save these birds from perishing. Europe is home to more than 500 wild bird species but around a third of them are in danger of extinction. Adopted in 1979 […]