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ECHA Report on lead ammunition near-total ban: Starting off on the wrong foot once again
After the intensely-debated ban on lead shot in wetlands, we’re now facing a much broader ban on all lead ammunition in other types of terrain: ECHA’s report scientific flaws and general inaccuracy make the outlook for future decisions rather grim.
The EU’s industrial strategy needs more action on climate
A change of attitude is needed if the EU is to hit its Green Deal goals, argue Henrike Hahn, Rosa D’Amato, Damien Carême, and Ignazio Corrao, who say the European Commission must get its priorities in order and accept its climate responsibilities, rather than delegate strategic choices to industries and companies themselves.Promoted content
Research centres are the bridge between academia and industry
So far, 113 research organisations from 21 countries have taken part in Clean Sky’s projects. Their role within our ecosystem is vital – on top of initiating and developing their own new technical proposals, they act as incubators, taking ideas...
How the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive risks destroying Europe’s forests
If the Europe Union doesn’t want an explosion in the amount of wood being harvested for “renewable heat”, it’s essential that the bugs in the Renewable Energy Directive are fixed, write Samuel Thomas, Dominic Scott and Dr Jan Rosenow.
Why a carbon tax is the most effective price signal for the building sector
A carbon tax on the fuel used to heat Europe's buildings is the most effective price signal to decarbonise Europe's building stock, which is in desperate need of renovation to meet the EU's climate ambition, writes Oliver Rapf.Promoted content
Another future for Europe
‘Democracy owes its existence to Christianity'. These words were uttered by Robert Schuman, the primary founding father of the European Union, half a century ago.
The Brief, powered by Martens Centre – Debunking the Bulgarian veto
EU enlargement issues are decided by unanimity. One of the highlights of the upcoming EU summit on Thursday and Friday (24 and 25 June) will be the attempt to overcome the persistent Bulgarian veto on the start of North Macedonia’s accession negotiations.
Green hydrogen: robbing ‘electricity Peter’ to pay ‘transport Paul’?
An upcoming EU Delegated Act should stipulate that green hydrogen be produced from additional renewables, argues Geert De Cock.
Integrity compliance in Western Balkans infrastructure projects
Civil society has an important role to play to make sure that corruption in infrastructure projects and wrong prioritisation do not derail a €30 billion EU financial plan for the Western Balkans, a group of authors write.Promoted content
Catalysing collaborative efforts for healthy people on a healthy planet
Human health and environmental health are inextricably linked. Healthy people need a healthy planet.
Don’t throw out the Digital Services Act’s key accountability tools
The Digital Services Act’s provisions on risk assessment and audit must stay and be improved if we are to hold tech companies accountable for harmful business models and rights violations, write Nienke Palstra, Emma Ruby-Sachs, Claudia Prettner, and Jesse Lehrich.
A fairer playing field for businesses and consumers
The EU's new VAT regime will create rules fit for the digital age and benefit businesses and consumers, writes Gerassimos Thomas.Promoted content
How connectivity can help bridge the digital trust gap
Digital transformation is having a profound and irreversible impact on our lives, societies and economies at large. Through very high capacity networks, Gigabit connectivity, 5G and emerging data-driven technologies – like AI and IoT – play a crucial part in...
The Brief, powered by ITI – Defeat in vaccine victory
In the innocent pre-pandemic world, who would have imagined that the EU would one day sue a pharmaceutical giant for not delivering on a contract for 300 million vaccine doses?
Time for transatlantic leadership on refugee resettlement
As numbers of displaced people across the world reach an all-time high, it’s time to restore transatlantic leadership on refugee resettlement, writes David Miliband.
How Europol’s reform enables ‘NSA-style’ surveillance operations
“More than 100 million”. That’s the number of encrypted messages that French and Dutch law enforcement announced they had collected after infiltrating Encrochat in 2020, a company selling encrypted communication services and devices.
EU-Serbia: A stagnation comfortable for both sides
No progress in Serbia’s EU integration process appears to be a solution that fits both the EU side which is increasingly critical toward the authoritarian trends in Belgrade and the lack of progress with Kosovo, and the ruling bloc in Belgrade which doesn’t see EU relations as important for its voters, writes BETA agency.Promoted content
Just Transition demands a European legal framework on anticipation and management of change
The Fit for 55% package should be accompanied by a legal framework on anticipation of change that leaves no one behind. This would be a stepping stone towards a more sustainable economy, turning Just Transition from rhetoric to reality.
The Brief, powered by ITI – Biden vs Putin: Who won?
As the dust settles after the meeting of the two leaders on the neutral Swiss playground, a legitimate question to ask is which one of them got the most out of this risky summit. And who were the collateral victims.
Biden’s visit: What does it mean to rejoin Europe?
Given that Europe is not inclined to make the painful decisions that a modernized relationship requires, it is hard to understand what a return to Europe means, except for having dinner with some interesting people, writes George Friedman.Promoted content
Has Covid-19 left a ‘pandemic scar’ on young people?
The end is in sight. Restrictions are lifting and slowly but surely, we’re starting to feel ‘normal’ again. Across Europe and beyond, offices are starting to reopen, empty classrooms have welcomed back students, and spending time with family and friends...
The Brief, powered by ITI – Nothing left to say
We are looking into it. That is the answer that the Guardian of the Treaties - documents that enshrine the principles of equality and human rights into EU law - gave in response to a new Hungarian law that tramples those very rights by lumping together LGBTQI+ people in with paedophiles.Promoted content
Why the unmet needs of Sickle Cell Disease communities must be recognised
Under the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals, European countries have committed to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one third, and to promote mental health and well-being, by 2030. Moreover, under the European Commission’s EU Pharma Strategy, addressing unmet need in rare disease is a priority.Special ReportPromoted content
