The European Union’s EU4Ocean initiative brings together various organisations, projects, and individuals committed to promoting ocean literacy and sustainable ocean management. In this episode, we talk to Dr Andrea Bozman (winner of the MakeEUBlue Award 2024) and Farhat-Un-Nisá Bajwa (Young Ocean Advocate) about their ocean literacy projects. We l…

In this Policy Triangle, supported by European Movement International, we delve into civil society and the Green Deal. The European Green Deal emerged from a political landscape shaped by growing climate awareness and the electoral green wave. However, successive crises—from COVID to energy instability—have reshaped priorities, making the path forw…

The Automotive industry as a whole is living through systemic changes and challenges at an unprecedented pace. Technological developments in vehicle components, together with the exponential rate of its connectivity, are making manufacturing, driving, and repair and maintenance a different reality. At the same time, e-mobility solutions and the dep…

Mental wellbeing has become more present on the EU policymakers’ agenda in recent years, especially when it comes to young people. According to the European Commission, nearly half of European youth aged 15-29 have unmet mental health needs, compared to 23% of adults. Moreover, about half of the mental health problems affecting adults have their on…

The rise and integration of AI in our daily lives is not a futuristic fantasy, and of course, journalism is not exempt. The last few years have seen newsrooms experiment with and integrate AI for various purposes, while the debate whether this leads to better journalism carries on. In this podcast, host Xhoi Zajmi and Euractiv’s tech reporter, Jaco…

Renewable and low-carbon molecules are set to play a key role in Europe’s transition to a sustainable and decarbonised future. The Hydrogen and decarbonised gas market package entered into force in August 2024, providing a clear regulatory framework for the transport of these energy transition gases and diversifying supply sources. The package also…

The EU Forest Strategy for 2030, a key component of the European Green Deal, aims to strengthen the protection, restoration, and resilience of forests across the EU. Forests play a critical role as carbon sinks, as well as preserving biodiversity, and supporting ecosystems. Enhancing their resilience and diversity is essential for better managing e…

Renewable carbon is carbon originating from a sustainably sourced renewable resource that can be naturally or artificially grown or replenished within aforeseeable time frame by processes found in nature. Unlike fossil carbon from the geosphere, renewable carbon does not reintroduce long-stored carbon into the atmosphere, making it a more sustainab…

Rural communities are more than energy consumers—they are critical contributors to Europe’s industrial and energy ecosystem. These regions play a dual role by providing essential support for heating, cooking, and powering businesses while also serving as hubs for clean energy innovation and production. Energy-intensive industries, such as ceramics,…

Listen to a discussion exploring the critical role of the global technology industry in support of the EU's economic security, innovation and competitiveness goals, organised by ITI - the Information Technology Industry Council. Europe faces a unique challenge: maintaining an open economy in an increasingly complex and hostile geopolitical landscap…

As we approach the first anniversary of the landmark Antwerp Declaration’s ambitious goal-setting for European industrial competitiveness and the green transition, the challenge of industrial electrification remains at the heart of Europe's decarbonisation journey. The Declaration's vision for industrial transformation, coupled with the implementat…

With the new legislative cycle, the need for a clean energy transition has never been greater. In this context, energy companies need to align their strategic objectives within the broader priorities of the European Green Deal. The Draghi report also emphasised competitiveness and the need for an increased number of public and private investments t…

Kazakhstan is a major producer of critical raw materials (CRMs), and an increasingly important energy supplier for the European Union. Metals and chemicals from Kazakhstan are helpful in the EU’s efforts to advance the green and digital transition. The Central-Asian state is becoming a key player in supporting EU sectors such as the net-zero indust…

Governments across the world have recognised the strategic importance of leadership in key technological standards, including for cellular communications, and relying on an open, industry-led standardisation process. The European Union's proposed regulation on Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) has sparked significant debate within the technology in…

With the EU Public Country by Country Reporting and the CSRD Directive having entered into force in 2024, Tax Transparency will become a reality within the EU legal reporting framework. Debates are still active on the merits of such initiatives, with some companies gradually have become more transparent about their tax affairs, while others have ke…

Urban mobility plays a pivotal role in the EU’s broader green transition goals. For the EU to meet its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and achieving climate neutrality by 2050, innovation and transformation in the mobility sector is crucial. In the latest study on urban mobility transition by EIT Urban Mobility, findings show that investmen…

The European steel industry employs over 300,000 people directly and supports millions more indirectly. As the backbone of many key industrial value chains, including clean technologies from renewables to electric vehicles, steel has been foundational to the European Union, driving prosperity, resilience, and innovation. Yet European steel’s viabil…

As the EU embarks on a new mandate, its ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is driving a renewed focus on shaping a regulatory framework that fosters sustainability and preserves Europe’s competitiveness. With the Draghi report underscoring the importance of a competitive and sustainable Europe, and growing momentum for harmonisi…

Free and independent media is a key pillar of democracy, but recently, worrying trends have emerged across Europe. In response, a new legal instrument was adopted at EU level - the European Media Freedom Act - which came into force on 7 May 2024. Most of its provisions will be applicable by 8 August 2025. The F.R.E.I.H.E.I.T project (Fact-checking …

An estimated 67 million Europeans rely on heat provided by district heating, which is currently undergoing a decarbonisation process to achieve the goal of being climate-neutral by 2050. However, different district heating systems are at different stages of progress towards net-zero. Some systems, particularly low-temperature district heating netwo…

The European Union is intensifying efforts to improve consumer protection in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. At the same time, industries are exploring how new technological solutions can be used to safeguard consumers in innovative new ways. The forthcoming "Digital Fairness Act" will impact a range of industries, from e-commerce to entert…

Renewable energy projects require substantial front-end investment as well as complicated permitting and licensing in order to operate, but what happens when there are disputes in the sector? In 1994 the European Union signed the Energy Charter Treaty which provided for International Arbitration through the World Bank ICSID Court. However, earlier …

In 2020, as an integral part of the European Green Deal, the EU presented its Farm to Fork Strategy, aimed at making Europe's food systems more resilient, healthier and more sustainable. The Farm to Fork strategy was the first to integrate all aspects of the food chain (agricultural, ecological, and nutritional) into a unified approach to food syst…

Neurotechnology, where neuroscience meets technology, includes all the tools and methods that are used to improve our understanding of how the human brain functions as well as what can be done to improve or repair the brain’s capacities. These advancements are opening new possibilities across various aspects of life, from healthcare to daily activi…

With elections on both sides of the Atlantic, 2024 is set to bring many changes to transatlantic relations. If the elections result in new leadership, priorities and strategies will shift, impacting trade and competitiveness policies. Launched in 2021, the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) aims to revitalise transatlantic cooperation through coord…

Gas venting, flaring, and leakage accounts for tremendous wastage. An estimated 267 billion cubic metres (BCM) of natural gas could be made available to gas markets with a global effort to reduce methane emissions and tackle non-emergency flaring. These volumes amount to over 70% of the EU’s annual gas consumption, which was estimated at 360 BCM in…

In recent decades, significant progress has been made in the fight against the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Europe has committed to end the HIV epidemic by 2030 and EU-wide progress has been made towards the UNAIDS goals. However, many countries – including in Europe – are not on track to meet the global goals. HIV continues to pose a public…

Panel I: Meet the candidates Discussion of the upcoming elections with representatives of Uzbekistan’s political groups and civil society. Panel II: EU and Central Asia – What avenues for future cooperation? In 2022 and 2023, the Central Asian Heads of State and the President of the European Council held their first-ever high-level meetings, result…

The last European Parliament mandate introduced the first-ever legal framework on artificial intelligence through the AI Act. This act addresses the risks associated with AI and positions Europe to play a leading role globally. In line with this, the development of the new European AI Office ahead of the new mandate will centralise AI expertise acr…

On 24 September, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) will unveil their new study showing the availability of community and biodiversity friendly land in Europe for achieving renewable energy targets. This study is a critical step toward balancing our energy needs with conservation efforts. The revised Renewable Energy Directive mandates European countries…

Climate change is increasingly causing environmental damage and disturbing biodiversity across Europe. This situation calls for greater initiatives to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and industry’s carbon footprint. In this context, the European Commission approved a new legislation on environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings in Fe…

To explain what the ENEFIRST Plus project is, the project’s senior expert Jean-Sébastien Broc starts by outlining what it isn’t: While it all revolves around promoting energy efficiency, that does not mean achieving efficiency at all costs. Joined in this podcast by Managing Director and Chairperson Vlasios Oikonomou, the two colleagues discuss the…

Quantum technologies are one of the emerging technologies deemed by experts to have the potential to radically transform the world. Quantum opens possibilities to process data that are too complex for today’s fastest computers. As a result, quantum technologies have strategic importance for the scientific and industrial competitiveness of the EU, a…

The offshore wind potential in the Baltic Sea region is estimated to be close to 100 GW by 2050. The first Baltic offshore projects will come online in the next few years and will gradually contribute to the decarbonisation of the Baltic energy systems. However, in order to take full advantage of the favourable geographical conditions in the Baltic…

In this Policy Triangle, supported by Humane Society International/Europe, we delve into the state of farm animal welfare in the EU. The European Commission proposed an overhaul of EU rules for protecting animals in transport and introduced new regulations on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats in December 2023. However, the rules regardi…

In recent years, the relationship between the EU and Kazakhstan has evolved significantly, marked by a growing emphasis on economic cooperation, political dialogue, and partnerships in various fields, including trade and agriculture. Economic cooperation, focused on trade and investment, has been a longstanding cornerstone of EU-Kazakhstan relation…

The European Parliament elections are fast approaching, and agrifood policies have taken the spotlight following a wave of protests and demonstrations across the EU in recent months. One common concern expressed by farmers across the bloc is the level of bureaucracy within the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The current CAP, covering 2023 to…

The European Union stands as a leader in global efforts to combat climate change, driven by a commitment to secure a sustainable future for all. At the heart of EU climate action lies the European Green Deal, a framework for transforming the EU into a carbon-neutral and circular economy by 2050. The European Commission set different milestones that…

Regional revitalization – driven by green policies and technological advancements – is a key priority across Europe, and it is clear that this transformation is most urgent in rural, post- industrial, and suburban areas adjacent to major cities. The role of large companies that operate in these areas cannot be overstated. Their contributions, spann…

The European Commission identifies buildings in the EU as the primary energy consumer, accounting for 40% of our energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. In December 2021, the European Commission adopted a legislative proposal to revise the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, as part of the so-called ‘Fit for 55’ package. In M…

2024 marks the year of another significant change in the EU’s political composition. Every five years, EU leaders collectively determine the EU's political priorities, a process occurring in conjunction with the European Parliament elections and preceding the appointment of each European Commission. Kicked off by the European elections in early Jun…

Decarbonising the heating and cooling sector is central to achieving the energy transition. This is recognised in the European Green Deal and the ‘Fit for 55’ package, as without increasing the share of renewables in this sector, our energy and climate targets cannot be achieved cost-effectively. Within the heating sector, district heating is provi…

Forests play a vital role in climate change adaptation and mitigation. They act as carbon sinks and preserve biodiversity and ecosystems. Yet, climate change is increasingly causing extreme weather conditions, and damages such as wildfires, windstorms and floods are harming forests all over Europe. To address these challenges, the European Commissi…

"Les rencontres européennes de la Fepem" se présentent comme un rendez-vous au cœur des préoccupations européennes. Organisé par la Fepem, cette rencontre d'une demi-journée, prévue pour le 22 avril dans les locaux du Think Tank EuropaNova et sous le patronage de la Commission Européenne, réunira une soixantaine de participants, dont des candidats …

The European Single Market - one of the EU's greatest achievements - is stuttering, according to several industry stakeholders. Their concerns include too much fragmentation, excessive bureaucracy, and lack of harmonised rules. Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta was tasked with preparing a report on the future of the Single Market, set to b…

Expanding organic farming and agricultural lands in the EU is at the heart of the European Green Deal’s initiatives. Organic farming uses natural substances and processes to produce food and brings environmental, economic and social benefits. To support European green ambitions, the European Commission launched the Farm to Fork Strategy in 2020. On…

Nuclear power is seen as part of the solution to tackle climate change and meet growing energy needs to decarbonise our economy. Following the Nuclear Energy Summit, jointly organised by the IAEA and Belgium on March 21, 2024, EDF, Fortum, and Vattenfall, in partnership with Euractiv, are preparing an insightful event. We will delve into the centra…

For the last three decades, the availability of cost-effective generic medicines has driven increased access to life-saving treatments for millions of patients in Europe. Today, generic medicines are an integral part of the healthcare system and demand for these products continues to increase worldwide. While increased usage of generic medicines ha…

In a new era marked by climate disruptions, geopolitical conflicts and economic tensions, fundamental questions arise: do we still need industry in Europe? Or can the EU rely solely on fragmented value chains for its strategic autonomy? As the EU strives for peace, prosperity and security for its citizens in the next five years and beyond, can it a…

The political term spanning from 2019 to 2024 saw an unprecedented focus on healthcare, not only in terms of the EU’s response to the immediate health crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, but also making significant strides in addressing longer term healthcare challenges across Europe. Anchored by the goal of building a ‘European Health Union…