About: BusinessEurope
Business groups clash over EU’s 2030 climate goal
Europe’s largest employer’s association, BusinessEurope, has questioned “the value and credibility” of the economic analysis underpinning the EU’s proposed climate target plan for 2030, triggering an immediate backlash from pro-climate corporate groups.
Industry lobby wants EU water protection directive to be diluted
EU environment ministers will debate on Thursday (5 March) whether the EU directive on water protection is still up to date. However, the European industry lobby is trying to influence ministers to change the directive, according to a leaked letter seen by EURACTIV Germany.
‘Jury is still out’ on EU’s carbon border tax, Hogan says
The European Commission will not reveal its approach on the EU’s proposed carbon border tax until late 2020 or early 2021, when it concludes a detailed feasibility analysis, said Phil Hogan, the EU’s trade commissioner.
EU business lobby to champion climate status quo – leak
One of Europe's most influential business lobbies is trying to push the EU towards climate action standstill, after a leaked memo obtained by EURACTIV called the bloc’s existing 40% emissions reduction target "already ambitious".
Leaked memo exposes business rift on climate change
BusinessEurope, the EU employer organisation, was urged to reconsider its stance on climate change after a leaked internal memo exposed what others in the business community have now rebuked as an “extreme lowest common denominator” that does not represent their view.
VAT overhaul accused of being contrary to EU treaties
The de-harmonisation of VAT rates put forward by the Commission has been flagged as unconstitutional. Moreover, the proposal to completely overhaul the primary European tax faces much criticism. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Bozhidar Danev: Part of Bulgaria’s fuel sector lies in the grey economy
Unusually low fuel prices in Bulgaria are probably the result of cartels, or contraband, Bozhidar Danev told EURACTIV.com in an exclusive interview, saying the authorities have so far been unable or unwilling to address the issue.
Katainen: Erosion of rule of law ‘more worrisome’ than Brexit
European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen said on Thursday (1 March) that Europe can compromise on many things, including Brexit, but not on the "more worrisome" threats to the rule of law and media freedom. VideoPromoted content
Live: BusinessEurope Day 2018 in Brussels
In the context of its 60 anniversary, BusinessEurope discussed 'The value(s) of business' in a day-long event in Brussels on March 1, 2018. As Media Partner, we featured a live stream throughout the day that can still be watched. Keynote speeches included Donald Tusk, Jyrki Katainen and Michel Barnier on a key day in the Brexit negotiations.
French business group top of EU ‘anti-climate’ lobby list
Nearly half of the world's 200 biggest companies actively fight regulation to protect the climate, a study has revealed. French business group MEDEF and oil company Total are among the worst offenders. EurAtiv France reports.
Investors demand energy giants quit ‘anti-climate’ EU lobby groups
International institutional investors with assets worth more than €61 billion in assets under management have called on nine multinational energy and mining companies to leave EU lobbying associations, because of their “regressive” climate change policies.
Lying to get ISDS through the European Parliament
BusinessEurope, and especially its Director Genernal, should be factual and truthful when lobbying the European Parliament on ISDS and TTIP, argue Bart Staes and Molly Scott Cato.
Battle lines drawn as EU Parliament votes on ‘conflict minerals’
The European Parliament will consider this week whether to follow the United States by bringing in tighter controls on minerals from war zones, but critics say the measures risk being watered down.
Unions and employers step into new social dialogue design
In the aftermath of the economic crisis, and the push by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker to revive social dialogue, unions and employers’ organisations are starting to shape a modus operandi that will help them recover power and influence both in Brussels, and in national capitals.
Report: Companies score better with bottom-up employee engagement
Despite the slow economic recovery, a high number of managers and employee representatives in the EU report a good work climate, and say that the growing involvement of employees in companies’ daily decision-making is good for performance and economic growth.
EU companies pledge to shift retrenching investment
Europe is losing ground globally, as the 28-country bloc seems unable to reverse the trend of declining investment and stalling economic recovery. But EU businesses pledged to be ready to push policymakers to act swiftly, and boost competitiveness and growth.
Don’t axe gender and environment laws, NGOs tell Timmermans
EXCLUSIVE: Twenty gender equality and environmental organisations, including trade unions and consumer groups, have called on the European Commission to ignore a hit list of proposals that business lobbyists want ditched by the new executive.
Business warns single patent too expensive
National patent offices are attempting to set the price of the unitary European patent at a level too high to attract European companies to use it, European business representatives have warned.
European businesses split over urgency of EU carbon market fix
European business groups are sharply divided over how quickly and aggressively the European Union needs to reform its Emissions Trading System (ETS), a division unlikely to help spur swift changes.
EU agrees to €5bn carbon permit giveaway
The European Parliament's environment committee on Wednesday (24 September) narrowly upheld plans to give billions of euros worth of carbon allowances to heavy industries for free, in order to help them compete in global markets.
Russian energy threat galvanises EU ‘climate hawks’
EU heads of state and government will discuss the bloc’s 2030 climate agenda with a renewed sense of urgency in Brussels Friday (21 March) amid calls to reduce the EU’s dependency on Russian gas imports following the annexation of Crimea and looming trade sanctions on Moscow.
Business calls on shale gas to end Russian dependence
In the wake of the Ukraine crisis, the European Union should put an end to its dependence on Russian gas imports by being “less emotional” about shale gas exploration, says the head of BusinessEurope, the EU employers' association.
Businesses pledge louder voice to restore competitiveness
The new president of BusinessEurope, Emma Mercegaglia, has promised to make the leading European employers’ organisation more ‘constructively outspoken’ and pressure Brussels to swiftly act to restore competitiveness and boost investment.