VW to ditch petrol and diesel cars manufacturing at key factory
Volkswagen is set to remove production lines for all internal combustion engine vehicles from one of its key factories this year, replacing them with electric vehicle production capacity. EURACTIV's media partner, edie.net, reports.
Germany eyes breakthrough in EU migration dispute this year
Germany said on Tuesday (7 July) it wants European Union nations to overcome a deadlock on how to handle refugees and migrants this year, weighing in on a bruising dispute that has divided the 27-member bloc for years.
EU, China and Canada renew pledge for climate action, despite virus
In spite of the economic crisis posed by the coronavirus pandemic, the EU, China and Canada sent “a clear political signal” on Tuesday (7 July) that they are still committed to the Paris Agreement on climate change.
EU orphan drugs law and the emergence of SMEs
The legal framework provided by the current EU orphan drugs regulation has encouraged a number of small and medium sized companies (SMEs) to develop innovative technologies in the fight against rare diseases in Europe, stakeholders told EURACTIV.com.OpinionPromoted content
Bioenergy: the necessary force to decarbonise buildings
The Renovation Wave sets high expectations. Considering buildings’ energy consumption, this initiative provides the perfect framework to address the upscaling of renewables in buildings, with a specific focus on heating and cooling. Bioenergy represents the main source of renewable heat and must be scaled up in order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Virus crisis threatens to set back oil platform decommissioning
Oil companies are being forced to cut spending due to a fall in global oil prices, threatening funds earmarked to dismantle dated off-shore rigs, despite environmental risks.
Why national building renovation plans are key for the recovery
Renovating a country’s buildings and homes represents a massive opportunity for sustainable economic recovery, health, well-being, and CO2 reduction, writes Oliver Rapf.
The Brief, powered by BSEF – Turkey threatens, Borrell smiles
On Monday (6 July), EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell met Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlut Çavuşoğlu, who publicly threatened the EU with retaliation if further sanctions are imposed on Ankara. The threat was met with a diplomatic appeal for dialogue, which - it is increasingly clear now - sometimes just doesn't cut it.
Nur-Sultan’s financial hub to be at heart of Kazakhstan’s recovery and greening
With the support of authorities and growing green credentials, the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is well placed to play a key role in the country's recovery and sustainable economic development, experts say.
Dutch sign Eurostar treaty, reducing London journey time
The governments of the Netherlands, France, Belgium and the United Kingdom signed on Tuesday (7 July) an updated version of the Eurostar treaty, which will streamline border checks and shave a full hour off the Amsterdam-London journey time.
Altmaier argues against ‘international monopolies’ in the platform economy
A "well-regulated" platform economy should allow for small and medium-sized enterprises to compete fairly and should not lead to the formation of "international monopolies", German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said on Tuesday (7 July).
Green party insists no U-turn on gene-editing despite recent dissent
Following a paper in which a group of German Green MPs and one MEP unexpectedly backed the use of gene-editing technologies, EURACTIV spoke to MEP Martin Häusling, agriculture spokesman for the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament, who stressed that nothing has changed for the party, which has historically been vocally opposed to the technology.
Germany spent over $1 billion to cover costs linked to US troops presence
Germany has spent more than $1 billion over the past decade to cover the costs related to the stationing of US troops on its territory, according to figures by the German finance ministry, which a key government official called "anything but too high", citing related economic benefits.
Siberian temperatures hit June record, fires spread
Temperatures in Arctic Siberia soared to a record average for June amid a heat wave that is stoking some of the worst wildfires the region has ever known, fresh EU data showed on Tuesday (7 July).
Trains take over, ETS ahoy & road ragers
Welcome to EURACTIV’s weekly Transport Brief – your one port of call for all the news moving the world and much more! In this edition: MEPs set a course for the EU's carbon market, airline bailouts keep coming and Europe's space agency unveils billions in new contracts.
Watch: Transport Vlogs archive
Here you can find every Transport Vlog in one handy archive. Sent out with the weekly Transport Brief at 11am on Tuesdays, this is your essential visual dose of either the biggest story of the week or one that slipped under the radar.
Europe’s need for an investment plan sustaining its future
The EU should to co-finance independent investments with equity in growth enterprises by guaranteeing public funding as pooled at EU level, write Christian Motzfeldt, Erika Mann and William Stevens.
Rule of law a must before getting EU money, Jourova insists
European Union countries should only get money from the bloc's budget and the COVID-19 recovery fund if they have robust courts and safeguards against corruption, a top official said on Monday (6 July), a couched warning to Poland and Hungary, among others.
UK imposes first own sanctions against Saudi, Russian human rights abusers
In today's edition of the Capitals, find out more about the new French government following Monday's reshuffle, the newly created European Public's Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) saying it will investigate member states that haven't joined, and so much more.
Eyeing United States, EU lawmakers seek quicker trade retaliation
EU lawmakers overwhelmingly backed a proposal on Monday (6 July) to allow the European Union to retaliate more quickly in trade disputes, with a clear eye on the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.
North Sea countries vow closer cooperation on offshore wind
Ministers of the North Seas countries have called for an EU framework to tackle barriers to the deployment of multinational “hybrid” offshore wind energy projects.
Commission chews over changes to aviation emissions rules
The European Commission revealed on Friday (3 July) details about how it plans to adapt climate policy to the aviation sector, by integrating a global offsetting scheme into EU rules and slashing free pollution permits.
EURORDIS: Rare diseases need more centralised processes within the EU
Future improvement of the EU Orphan Medicines Regulation (OMP) could involve more centralised processes for all rare diseases at the EU level, the European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS) told EURACTIV in a written interview.