Special Reports
The fight for viral hepatitis C elimination
The hepatitis C virus is a global public health threat with significant morbidity and mortality, and within Europe, the WHO's Eastern Mediterranean Region and the European Region have the highest reported prevalence.
Astana: 20 years of thriving evolution
Astana is celebrating its 20th anniversary as capital of Kazakhstan. A remarkable city with futuristic buildings, Astana has positioned itself as a centre that hosts many important events and is developing as a financial hub in Eurasia.
Building partnerships: international development and sustainable business
The European Development Days has established itself as a key fixture in the world's development calendar. The EU plans to revamp its development tools and financial investment instruments in the next seven-year budget, increasing the role of the private sector.
The fine line between brands and health
For the World Health Organisation, plain packaging is considered an effective way to reduce the attractiveness of tobacco products and increase the effectiveness of health warnings. But the industry disagrees and points to a fine line between over-regulation and the need to protect consumers.
Migration and security in Europe: Is immigration a threat or an asset?
The 2015 migrant crisis caught Europe off guard, with little funding, limited manpower and no contingency plans in place. The number of migrants trying to reach Europe has declined significantly since then but migration is back on the EU's radar.
The role of innovation in Europe’s animal health
In an effort to minimise animal diseases’ outbreaks, the European Commission adopted in 2007 the “Prevention is better than cure” approach when it comes to animal health strategy. According to the executive, the objective was to focus on preventive measures, disease surveillance, controls and research.
What is the potential of combination vaccines?
The rise of anti-vaccination campaigns has in recent years had a detrimental effect on EU public health as “forgotten” diseases such as measles re-appeared in Europe, raising eyebrows among policymakers.
EU in my region
Cohesion Policy is the EU's main investment policy, with a budget of 351.8 billion. It is also the bloc's second largest policy in terms of funding, after agriculture. This Special Report presents some of the flagship projects around the EU funded by Cohesion.
Europe’s e-mobility gamechangers
The European Union is starting to think in earnest about how to reduce the impact of transportation on the environment. But are plans to tackle a sector whose emissions continue to grow too strict or not ambitious enough?
European gas markets
At the turn of the century, the European Union launched a vigorous liberalisation agenda in a bid to open up its national gas markets – aiming for lower prices, a greater range of suppliers and energy security. EURACTIV takes stock of progress made and the challenges lying ahead.
Do new plant breeding techniques have a future in Europe?
The European Court of Justice is expected to decide soon about the future of the so-called new plant breeding techniques (NPBTs) in Europe. The term describes a number of scientific methods for the genetic engineering of plants to enhance traits...
How can we create sustainable healthcare systems?
The healthcare systems of EU member states are under huge pressure to meet the growing demand for care and simultaneously support innovation in the sector. Combined with an ageing population and the alarming burden of chronic illnesses, several experts emphasise...
Social Europe: Bringing back democracy at work on the EU political agenda
The global economy is undergoing major and irreversible changes, which raises the question as to how to ensure workers’ voices are being heard and taken into account within EU-based companies.
Tackling ammonia emissions from agriculture
Agriculture generates around 94% of all ammonia emissions in the EU, the vast majority of which comes from livestock excreta. Greenpeace estimates the livestock share at almost 80%, while mineral fertiliser application accounts for approximately 20%.
Vaccination: Raising awareness against fake news
Up to 3 million people die every year from vaccine-preventable diseases. The rise of anti-vaccination campaigns has in recent years had a detrimental effect on EU public health as “forgotten” diseases such as measles re-appeared in Europe, raising eyebrows among...
Energy transition: Ambitious enough?
Europe needs to decarbonise its economy in order to meet its Paris Agreement obligations, but how ambitious are its plans for an energy transition?
Economic viability in the next CAP
EU farmers are calling for a simplified Common Agricultural Policy that will provide security for them to invest in their business and make a profit. Can the next CAP ensure a healthy and profitable business environment in the farming sector?
Post-2020 CAP: simplification and investments
The European Commission, steered by Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan, has taken a number of initiatives to simplify the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and help EU farmers cope with the rising demands. The public consultation on modernising and simplifying the CAP...
Can advanced biofuels really work?
As part of the Renewable Energy Directive review (RED II), the Commission proposed a gradual phase-out of food-based biofuels, which should be replaced by “more advanced biofuels” that do not compete with food crops.
Connecting Central Asia
The five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan – only recently represented one of the most disconnected regions of the world, but have now launched a new regional cooperation drive. As a non-permanent of the UN...
Closing loops for a circular economy
After marathon talks, negotiators from the European Parliament and EU member states reached agreement last December on a package of waste legislation, which sets new targets for recycling. But although the ink has not yet dried on the deal, the European Commission is already preparing a revision of the laws.
Mobile World Congress: Europe rushes to keep pace on connectivity
The EU is racing to make the superfast 5G mobile technology available for consumers by 2025, but is lagging behind faster competitors in Asia and the US.
Europe’s mayors: Speeding up the energy transition
While the EU hammers out its continent-wide energy and climate policy for the next decade, steps are being taken at local level to fight climate change and make a low-carbon European economy a reality.