Episodes
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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 regarding the welfare of farm animals have not been updated in over 20 years.
We’re thrilled to host three experts and hear their thoughts on this topic: Frank Verdonck from the European Food Safety Authority, Ana Granados Chapatte from the European Forum of Farm Animal Breeders, and Dr Joanna Swabe from Humane Society International/Europe.
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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 relations. Kazakhstan's natural resources, particularly oil, gas, and minerals, have attracted European companies seeking access to energy markets and investment opportunities. The EU has also been an important market for Kazakh exports, notably oil, metals, and agricultural products.
With regards to agricultural products, EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski visited Kazakhstan from 27-31 May 2024, accompanied by a large business delegation of senior representatives from the EU agri-food sector. The purpose of the visit was to facilitate European agricultural food and beverage exports to Kazakhstan and expand their presence in the Central Asian markets.
Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss EU-Kazakh relations and the drivers for increased economic and trade cooperation.
Questions to be discussed include:
- Further to May's high-level EU delegation visit to Kazakhstan, what are the next steps in facilitating European agricultural trade with the country and the wider region?
- What will be the wider impact of the agri-led mission to Kazakhstan? Will it lead to an expansion of trade in other sectors?
- Will enhanced EU-Kazakh economic cooperation improve Kazakhstan's ability to trade more globally?
- How can the EU’s focus on sustainable development and green technologies create opportunities for further economic collaboration?
- What will the priorities of EU-Kazakh cooperation be following the June 2024 EU elections? -
Missing episodes?
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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 2027, saw a significant push towards greener policies, with a strong focus on environmental requirements, specifically, increased environmental conditionality. However, following the protests, the European Commission has made proposals to appeal to farmers, with many of these proposals focusing on environmental matters.
‘Good agricultural and environmental conditions’ (GAEC) have been relaxed to ease the administrative burden on farmers, providing Member States with more flexibility in policy implementation. Furthermore, some policies on this mandate’s agenda have been scrapped, such as the pesticide regulation (SUR).
Striking a balance between the needs of farmers and sustainability remains a significant challenge that will likely define the next Commission mandate.
As various political parties release their election manifestos, they are including action plans on agrifood policy for the years ahead.
Listen to this Euractiv Virtual Conference to discuss the new legislative agenda for 2024 to 2029 and what changes are foreseen for the agrifood sector.
Questions to be discussed include:
- What proposals have been made, adapted, or withdrawn so far?
- What will the priorities be for the agrifood sector in the new Commission mandate, particularly for CAP?
- How will the outcome of the elections impact future agrifood policies?
- How will policymakers strike a balance between sustainability and the needs of farmers?Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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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 are essential to achieve in order to reach the climate-neutral economy objective by 2050. In that context, the 2030 climate and energy framework sets different key targets for the year 2030, notably in terms of emission reductions, the share for renewable energy, and improvement in energy efficiency. Achieving the EU's long-term climate objectives depends on the successful implementation of the 2030 framework.
Among the challenges, a successful transition needs to go hand in hand with economic growth, competitiveness and security of supply, and will also depend on public acceptance. In that context, the next European Commission will have a crucial role to play in setting a regulatory framework while ensuring sustainable growth for all.
Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss the way forward for a successful transition and the next steps to achieve the EU’s climate goals. Questions to be addressed include:
- What are the main challenges the EU faces in meeting its objectives, and how does it plan to address them?
- What will be the key priorities for the next European Commission to achieve the EU’s climate goals?
- What role does innovation play in achieving the EU's climate goals?
- What are the strategies to ensure a just transition for all communities and sectors affected by the shift towards a sustainable economy? -
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, spanning job creation, upskilling of local workforces, and community investments, play an important role in transforming these areas. Moreover, private sector initiatives can serve as a model for a pan-EU strategy that would breathe new life into these areas.
“Regional Revitalization: The Transformative Power of Investment in Rural and Post-Industrial
Areas Across Europe” will highlight the experiences of these companies and serve as a platform to discuss effective models that EU leaders can look to when navigating regional revitalization. The event will feature insights from experts through roundtable discussions on a variety of topics, such as the current status of post-industrial regions in Europe, the EU's perspective on job creation and economic impact that results from re-industrialization, and shared experiences of revitalizing rural and post-industrial regions.Panels will include representatives and experts from various sectors, including distinguished figures from various European institutions. Professionals from key industries such as automotive, food, and logistics will also share their perspectives and experiences on how private sector companies can play a crucial role in boosting local economies across European regions.
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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 March, MEPs adopted the proposed revision of the Directive. It aims to progressively decrease greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption in the EU building sectortowards climate neutrality by 2050.
Specifically, all new buildings should be zero-emission as of 2030, while Member States must enact measures for energy consumption reduction and renovate a portion of poorly performing non-residential buildings. Additionally, there is a focus on decarbonising heating systems.
Improving building energy efficiency not only reduces bills and energy poverty but also enhances Europe's energy independence, stimulates the economy, and generates green jobs, particularly in construction.
Listen to this Euractiv Virtual Conference to discuss the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Some questions to be discussed include:
- Is the Directive sufficiently aligned with the EU's climate ambitions?
- Are the measures feasible for Member States to implement?
- What existing initiatives address energy efficiency and the renovation of buildings?
- Are measures needed to support the construction industry in fulfilling the Directive's objectives?This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No 893858.
This website reflects only the author’s view and the Research Executive Agency or European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.
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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 June, the shifts in political groups and coalitions within the EU will shape its policy agenda and future legislation.
In light of the recent farmer’s protests all over Europe, but most notably in Brussels, the future of the agricultural sector is under the microscope like no other sector at the moment. Special attention will be paid to any new developments, plans, and legislation, putting a lot of pressure on the new leaders of the EU.
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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 proving particularly difficult to decarbonise, as district heating systems operate mostly on fossil fuels. However, some stakeholders argue that power-to-heat technologies could be a good solution, as they use renewable energy for heating.
By converting electricity into heat, power-to-heat technologies have the potential to help raise the share of renewable energy in the district heating sector. Power-to-heat could be particularly important in large heating systems which, due to their high heat demand, and with a lack of local renewables, are the most difficult to decarbonise.
Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss the potential of power-to-heat technologies in decarbonising district heating. Questions to be discussed include:
· How can power-to-heat help in reaching the objectives of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Directives?
· What role can power-to-heat play in energy stabilisation? And what implications can this have on energy grids?
· What are the next steps to support the necessary rollout of power-to-heat technologies in district heating? -
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 Commission introduced the Forest Monitoring Law in November 2023, a regulation on a monitoring framework for resilient European forests. This proposal is part of the EU forest strategy for 2030, which seeks to strengthen the protection, restoration and resilience of forests in the EU.
More resilient and diverse forests are essential to cope better with environmental disturbances and to adapt to climate change. This strategy also calls for adequate monitoring of EU forests to help forest owners and managers adjust management practices to forest disturbances.
While stakeholders generally support this proposal, some find it vague and call for stronger initiatives to achieve forest resilience. They also highlight the need for other key indicators to track forest evolution, and for a more unified monitoring framework across EU member states.
Listen to this Euractiv Virtual Conference to discuss how to make EU forests more resilient against climate change and disturbances. Questions to be addressed include:
- In the framework of the Forest Monitoring Law proposal, how can we guarantee effective strategic planning and progress monitoring at the EU level?
- What support mechanisms are available to assist forest owners and managers in implementing resilience-building measures? How can their forests remain economically viable?
- To what extent can the EU harmonise forest resilience management in its member states?Life Terra is co-financed by the European Commission through the LIFE Programme (LIFE19 CCM/NL/001200).
The content of this publication represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The Agency does not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.
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"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 tête de liste ou leurs représentants aux élections européennes, des acteurs majeurs du secteur de l'emploi à domicile, ainsi que des représentants des institutions européennes.
Cet événement a pour ambition de mettre en lumière les enjeux cruciaux liés à l'emploi à domicile, en particulier dans le contexte de la prochaine législature européenne. Face au vieillissement démographique, aux défis du care et aux métiers en tension, il s'agit de sensibiliser les décideurs politiques et les acteurs du secteur aux défis et opportunités de ce domaine souvent méconnu mais essentiel pour l'avenir de nos sociétés.
À travers un format interactif, les participants auront l'opportunité d'échanger leurs visions, leurs propositions et leurs engagements autour de thématiques telles que l'emploi, l'égalité de genre, l'immigration, la professionnalisation, la protection sociale et les soins à domicile. Chaque candidat ou représentant aura l'occasion de présenter ses projets pour le secteur, tandis que les intervenants des institutions européennes apporteront un éclairage sur le rôle de l'Europe dans ces domaines.
Le débat sera modéré par un expert de chez Euractiv, garantissant neutralité et dynamisme. Ce forum s'inscrit pleinement dans la dynamique de la campagne européenne, visant à sensibiliser les citoyens et à encourager une participation active aux élections.
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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 be discussed by European heads of government in the coming months.
In today's geopolitically tense landscape, the Single Market is designed to ensure European economic power and industrial strength. But the impact of this varies across EU Member States and European companies, particularly SMEs. Recognising these disparities is crucial, especially when considering the cost burden of the green and digital transitions.
With the upcoming EU elections and a new European legislature on the horizon, significant shifts are anticipated in the Single Market and its development. Some industries, like the mechanical and plant engineering sector, even call for a radical masterplan to deepen the Single Market. How this could look is still uncertain. But the new setup of the EU institutions could influence integration levels, cooperation dynamics, and competitiveness among Member States, shaping the market's future and its ability to confront evolving economic challenges.
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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. One of its aims is to bolster organic food sales and production with a focus on a fair and sustainable supply chain. This initiative was reinforced through the Organic Action Plan which seeks to achieve 25% of organic agricultural land by 2030. However, currently, only 10% of EU agricultural land is organic.
Organic farming is more labour-intensive and produces lower yields than conventional farmers, while generating similar income. Despite receiving economic support through the CAP, organic farmers feel they remain inadequately remunerated because their selling prices are lower than the retail prices.
While the EU seeks to boost organic farming and food supply, some stakeholders argue that the EU needs a more robust implementation to transition towards fair and organic food systems. Others believe that the text on new genomic technologies (NGTs) approved by the European Parliament could help reach the target on organic agricultural lands.
Join this Euractiv Virtual Conference to discuss the sustainability of organic farming and its implications for reaching European green ambitions. Questions to be addressed include:
How can the EU strengthen the position of organic farmers in the supply chain?How can the gap between organic produce selling prices and retail prices be addressed?How compatible are the NGTs and organic farming in light of the target for agricultural lands set by the European Commission?What steps are needed to further develop organic food supply and demand?
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. -
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 central role of nuclear energy, in partnership with renewable energy technologies, in achieving the European Union’s climate, social, and strategic objectives. The event will explore the need for a neutral approach to net-zero technologies, and define the key steps that the nuclear industry will have to take to achieve these goals. Taking up this significant challenge includes the need to inspire and cultivate emerging talent. We should motivate them to eagerly pursue a career path in net zero technologies, contributing to a greener future. Do not miss this opportunity to contribute to shaping the future of net zero energy and making a positive impact on the world. Nuclear Energy 2.0 is more than just a conference. It is an exploration of the next phase in the evolution of the European energy landscape. Get ready for an interactive debate on the potential of nuclear energy!
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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 has led to unprecedented savings for healthcare systems, many perspectives on this segment remain focused solely on their cost saving potential. This perception can underplay the range of generic medicine contributions to added societal value. Neglecting these contributions can exacerbate the challenges that healthcare systems are facing today.
A case where generic medicines contribute to societal value is by ensuring access, thus helping to reduce disease burden in underserved markets, such as in most Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries.
The report “Beneath the Surface: Unravelling the True Value of Generic Medicines” presented in this online panel explores the broad spectrum of contributions of generic medicines to European health systems, through an examination of their critical role in increasing access, financial sustainability, supply chain resilience and better outcomes for patients.
During this event, panellists and the audience will exchange ideas on:
Creating a regulatory environment that promotes access.The functioning of national markets in ensuring the availability and sustainability of medicines for patients.Coordination at European and National levels to mitigate shortages.Supporting innovation to achieve better health outcomes. -
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 afford to depend on third countries for critical clean technologies essential to the green transition?
Consider nickel, lithium, ferrous scrap, steel, renewables, hydrogen, batteries, electric vehicles, high tech machineries, defence and medical equipment, transportation and energy infrastructure, and more. Though seemingly disparate, all these components share a vital link: each is integral to a unified value chain, wherein the strength of the whole hinges on the resilience of its individual parts.
Can the EU’s resilience be imported or only come from within?
Listen to this EUROFER Conference to discuss thought-provoking questions with high-level EU representatives and policymakers tasked with aligning industrial policy to the green transition, CEOs, business leaders and leading researchers, representing the entire manufacturing value chain - from raw materials and steel to renewables and automotive.
At a crucial time just before the commencement of a new EU cycle, panellists will exchange views on:
The urgent need for a new industrial policy ensuring a robust business case for decarbonisation investments in the EU across the full value chain;The key ingredients to maintain European industry’s competitiveness on global markets, starting from access to affordable clean energy;The critical role of robust trade measures to tackle overcapacity, ensure a level playing field and avert deindustrialisation. -
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’, notable achievements include the €5.3 billion EU4Health programme, including substantial healthcare investments towards preparednessand response to health threats, the launch of Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and a European Health Data Space, and foundational steps towards addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through the Healthier Together Initiative. Meanwhile, the proposed revision of the General Pharmaceutical Legislation represents the most significant overhaul of EU medicines policy in over two decades, the debate on which is set to continue into the next institutional cycle.
As the EU confronts mounting health challenges, the growing burden of NCDs compounded by an ageing population, fiscal constraints, persistent health disparities and a health workforce crisis, Europe’s future political leadership must reflect on lessons learned from the last five years, and look to the road ahead to safeguard the resilience and sustainability of Europe’s health systems and economies.
Listen to the discussion with leading policymakers and experts in EU health policy who will explore key questions including:
What are the major successes and lessons learned in health policy during the 2019-2024 institutional mandate?What should the EU’s health policy priorities be for the next political cycle?How can stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem best collaborate to achieve a successful European Health Union? -
Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies are crucial for Europe to achieve its climate targets for 2040 and 2050. CCUS solutions can also enhance industrial competitiveness and bolster energy resilience.
It is no coincidence that the European Commission unveiled its Industrial Carbon Management Strategy on the same day as the publication of its 2040 climate target, early February. Without a massive deployment of CCUS technologies, the EU will not be able to decarbonise its industrial activities.
Along with the ICMS, the Net Zero Industry Act emphasises the role of CCUS technologies in reaching Net-Zero by 2050 and being a critical solution in securing the future of European industries.
Listen to this event organised by the Carbon Capture & Storage Association – the leading European CCUS trade association with 120+ members across the entire value chain - to explore the CCUS industry perspective about achieving the CO2 storage targets set by the European Commission.
Key discussion points will include:
Assessing the impact of CCUS on industrial decarbonisation processes.Advancing solutions for compelling business cases to increase CO2 storage and transport infrastructure investments.Identifying key policy measures to promote the use of CCUS technologies. -
Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies are crucial for Europe to achieve its climate targets for 2040 and 2050. CCUS solutions can also enhance industrial competitiveness and bolster energy resilience.
It is no coincidence that the European Commission unveiled its Industrial Carbon Management Strategy on the same day as the publication of its 2040 climate target, early February. Without a massive deployment of CCUS technologies, the EU will not be able to decarbonise its industrial activities.
Along with the ICMS, the Net Zero Industry Act emphasises the role of CCUS technologies in reaching Net-Zero by 2050 and being a critical solution in securing the future of European industries.
Listen to this event organised by the Carbon Capture & Storage Association – the leading European CCUS trade association with 120+ members across the entire value chain - to explore the CCUS industry perspective about achieving the CO2 storage targets set by the European Commission.
Key discussion points will include:
Assessing the impact of CCUS on industrial decarbonisation processes.Advancing solutions for compelling business cases to increase CO2 storage and transport infrastructure investments.Identifying key policy measures to promote the use of CCUS technologies. -
Water is essential to human life, to the health of our ecosystems and to European economies, yet it is under increasing stress due to overexploitation, rising demand and the effects of climate change.
The impacts are increasingly felt in our societies and economies. Since 2000, the European Commission’s Water Framework Directive (WFD) has been the main legal framework for water protection in Europe, aiming to ensure an integrated approach to water management, while respecting the integrity of whole ecosystems.
More recently, in 2023, the European Commission was drafting a ‘Water Resilience Initiative’, which has, for the moment, been withdrawn from the Commission’s agenda.
Already, different stakeholders have put in place public-private partnerships with long-term strategies to restore and protect freshwater ecosystems that need continued policy support.
Two days ahead of World Water Day, join this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss what can and needs to be done to protect EU waters and ecosystems:
What action can be taken to mitigate the recent rise in water-related disasters and the consequences for people and the economy?What role do the Water Framework Directive and the Water Resilience Initiative play in protecting waters and ecosystems?How does the withdrawal of the Water Resilience Initiative impact the EU’s water strategy?How do the interdependencies between climate, water systems, and natural ecosystems highlight the necessity for integrated environmental management approaches?And what role do public-private and cross-sectoral partnerships play in restoring water ecosystems? How can these initiatives be encouraged and scaled up? -
The 2019-2024 EU legislative term marked a significant milestone for climate and environmental policies. The EU committed to being carbon-neutral by 2050, resulting in sector-specific legislation, from decarbonising transport to enhancing energy efficiency in buildings. Socio-economic challenges, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions affecting energy supply, have compelled policymakers to balance economic concerns without compromising climate goals.
Sustainable biodiesel is a primarily EU-produced fuel, which can replace imported fossil fuels in various sectors, such as transport, as a renewable alternative. Consequently, the EU is transitioning to sustainable biofuels, like biodiesel, to cut greenhouse gas emissions and bolster energy security.
In November 2023, an amendment to the Renewable Energy Directive entered into force, increasing the EU’s ambition to integrate energy from renewable sources in the EU energy mix. For the transport sector, the text introduces a binding target for Member States to either reduce the greenhouse gas intensity of the energy used by 14.5% or achieve a 29% share of renewables within the final consumption of energy by 2030. Additionally, the text sets a target of 4.5% with double counting (or 2.25% in real energy terms) for advanced (waste- and residue-based) biofuels.
Join this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss biofuels and their potential for the decarbonisation of the transport sector in the EU. Some questions to be addressed include:
What are the key policy challenges for the biofuels sector?How do sustainable biofuels support the EU’s food and feed strategic autonomy?How do biofuels support the energy transition and energy security in the EU?How efficient and cost-effective are biofuels for the decarbonisation process?How effective is the revised Renewable Energy Directive so far? - How should the EU biofuels policy agenda look for the next legislative term?How can the negative impact of biofuels production due to indirect land use change be avoided? Does the revised Renewable Energy Directive go far enough in this regard? - Show more
