Special Reports
Playing the emissions counting game
Every country in the world has to count its emissions so that global commitments to fight climate change can be kept. Now efforts are underway to ensure that this particular brand of accountancy is as accurate and effective as it can be.
Young people and women in EU farming
The EU farming sector is faced with an ageing population. In 2016 only 11% of farm managers in the EU were young farmers under the age of 40 years, according to Eurostat.
The role of ‘social Europe’ during the European Elections
Social Europe still has to find its place in the future of the European project. If the social protection of European citizens interests 18% of the French population, it remains far from other priorities such as terrorism, unemployment, immigration or climate.
A renewed Europe: Innovation in technology industries
In the context of the EU's industry days, EURACTIV hears from industry leaders, high-ranking political officials and representatives from civil society, on the future challenges of the bloc's industrial sector.
Digitising the EU’s construction industry
In terms of digital uptake, the construction industry is the lowest ranked economic sector in Europe. Following recent calls from those at the heart of the sector, EURACTIV is producing a special report on an oft-overlooked area of EU investment: digitisation in construction.
In search of fairness on the European Digital Market
Although the European Digital Market has been in place since 2015, much remains to be done to tackle disparities between EU member states and to ensure fair taxation.
Recycling metal packaging
New EU-wide recycling targets, adopted last year, will have a significant influence on the way people recycle things like beverage cans. EURACTIV looks at how difficult it will be to meet the new targets.
After the COP: Where next for climate action?
December's COP24 climate summit in Katowice was billed as a last chance to actually implement the Paris Agreement. Now that the dust has settled, did negotiators achieve their objectives? And where does the international effort go from here?
Europe’s gigabit future
High-capacity connectivity is vital in scaling Europe's broadband networks across the continent, in the hope of guaranteeing Europe's position at the forefront of the 4th industrial revolution.
Can space technologies improve drinking water quality?
The use of space technologies in different sectors of the EU economy has seen an increase lately. Advocates suggest that satellite data could help improve or even optimise production, from agricultural practices to drinking water processing.
Short food supply chains in Europe’s south
The concept of short food supply chains (SFSC), where intermediaries between farmers and consumers are removed, was introduced in the 2014-2020 CAP and has risen in recent years. According to a study carried out by the European Parliamentary Research Service...
COP24: Options to decarbonise transport
Transport is the only sector of the economy whose GHG emissions are increasing globally, scientists have warned.
All that glitters is not just gold
The circular economy is taking on more and more significance but a potential clash is looming between maximising the potential of our waste and safeguarding human health.
Decoupling economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions
In a world already impacted by climate change, the global community still falls short of meeting the Paris Agreement’s goal on curbing climate change under the well-below 2°C target. Countries gathered at the COP24 will have to roadmap how to shift trillions of euros to turn the economy from brown to green.
Local utilities in the energy transition
While policymakers craft a new long-term European Union framework for the energy transition, some of the most intense changes will fall to local utilities in Europe's cities. For some cities, their own preparations closely track what the European Commission is envisioning.
CAP: New delivery model, climate and spending
The European Commission’s new proposal on the post-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) gives more flexibility to member states when it comes to implementation and pushes for a tailor-made approach adjusted to the EU countries’ diverse farming needs and circumstances.
Alternatives to animal testing – the state of progress
The EU ban on animal testing for cosmetic products came into force in 2013, although testing is still allowed in Europe for healthcare products and pharmaceuticals, as well as some chemicals and food.
Is EU biofuel policy realistic enough?
In an effort to decarbonise the transport sector, EU member states recently decided to revise the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). But how do the updated legislation and other rules currently in the pipeline stack up?
The future of fertilisers in Europe
In light of the rising global population, the EU fertiliser industry has set a long-term vision by 2030. While fertilisers are essential in boosting plant growth and crop nutrition, there is also an environmental impact that needs to be addressed.
The global race for raw materials
The European Union first adopted a raw materials strategy in 2008, at a time when commodity prices were at an all-time high and fears were running high of a global scramble for natural resources. The financial crash that followed conveniently swept the issue under the carpet. But this may have only been temporary.
The nitty-gritty of recycling
The EU now has a whole raft of rules, both finalised and pending, geared towards increasing the effectiveness and, perhaps more importantly, profitability of recycling. But beyond the headline targets, how are countries going to stick to the rules?
Electricity prices
Many European countries have placed limits on electricity prices, often justified by consumer concerns about rising energy bills, or to protect households from energy poverty. But regulated energy prices also thwart competition and hinder the deployment of clean energy solutions....
Metals in the circular economy
Metals are essential components in the manufacturing of smart phones, electric car batteries and other green technologies. In this special report, EURACTIV looks at how the EU's circular economy strategy can help secure Europe's supply of critical raw materials in a sustainable way.