Progress towards climate adaptation is difficult to measure, the EU auditors say in their report. Between 20214 and 2020, at least €8 billion were earmarked for climate adaptation in the EU, rising to €26 billion between 2021-2027. Though the majority of projects examined by the ECA increased the adaptive capacity, there were still 40% of projects with little or no impact.
The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought underlines the urgent need to halt land degradation through global cooperation and innovative solutions – such as those offered by nuclear science.
NATO Defence Ministers concluded a two-day meeting on Friday (14 June 2024) to prepare the Washington Summit in July. They discussed strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defence and support for Ukraine.
Judicial and law enforcement authorities across Europe and in the United States have dismantled critical online infrastructure in a large-scale operation to disrupt platforms and websites for terrorist communications and propaganda. Servers were taken down in Germany, the Netherlands, United States, and Iceland. The Spanish authorities arrested nine radicalised individuals.
The EU Commission has approved the acquisition of sole control of Serneke Sverige AB of Sweden by Mutares SE & Co. KGaA of Germany. The transaction relates primarily to the construction sector.
At a meeting of the Committee on Market Access (CMA) on 25-26 March, members agreed on a timetable for thematic sessions in 2024 focusing on supply chain resilience and on how to promote a greener Harmonized System (HS), the system used to classify traded goods, in collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO). Members also addressed a high number of trade concerns and elected Mr Kenya Uehara of Japan as interim Chair of the Committee.
The resumption of negotiations of Switzerland with the EU is a welcome step to strengthen the economic partnership, secure participation in the single market, and improve resilience. Overall, continued efforts to expand trade partnerships will help guard against geoeconomic fragmentation risks.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday issued new provisional measures for Israel as the humanitarian situation in bombarded and besieged Gaza continues to deteriorate. The world court issued the new order in response to a recent request made by South Africa, which submitted a case in December accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, based on its continuing offensive following Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel which left almost 1,200 dead and more than 240 taken hostage.
Generally, for a customer who is an individual and a U.S. person, banks are required to collect a full Social Security number (SSN) from a customer. The RFI is being issued in consultation with staff at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
Das Forschungsgutachten hat als Zwischenergebnis untersucht, welche Auswirkungen die Änderungen in der Klimapolitik der letzten drei Jahre auf die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung bis zum Jahr 2030 haben werden, etwa das EU-Klimaschutzpaket “Fit for 55” oder das Gebäudeenergiegesetz in Deutschland.
The Government is allocating SEK 120 million for efforts to fight hunger in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine. This support will be channelled through the World Food Programme (WFP), the largest humanitarian organisation dedicated to fighting hunger. The support has been allocated with immediate effect to WFP’s operations in the aforementioned countries. The funds will be divided evenly between them. The decision to allocate the funds was taken in conjunction with the visit to Stockholm by Executive Director of WFP Cindy McCain.
According to the IMF, Switzerland’s fiscal policy strikes the balance between avoiding excessive cuts that could jeopardise the economic recovery and creating fiscal space for future additional spending pressures. The overall fiscal surplus amounted to 0.5% of GDP in 2024. However, spending pressures from defence, infrastructure, climate and demographic-related additional costs are increasing. The planned relief measures should enable the federal government to comply with the debt brake this year. This instrument supports debt reduction and a countercyclical fiscal policy, which also enables extraordinary expenditure if necessary. Additional measures will be necessary in the coming years to eliminate the structural deficits at federal level.
On 22 March 2024, Minister of Employment Arto Satonen invited Katarina Murto, Chair of the Trade Union of Education (OAJ) and Negotiation Organisation for Public Sector Professionals (JUKO), and Millariikka Rytkönen, Chair of the Union of Health and Social Care Professionals (Tehy), to find a way to bring together all employer and employee organisations, that participated in the negotiations on Finland’s labour market model in autumn 2023, to agree on a sustainable labour market model.
The UK Government has announced a full asset freeze against two individuals suspected of providing financial support for Gaza Now – a news agency that promotes the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist groups.
All funds and economic resources in the UK belonging to or controlled by Sultana and Ayash have been frozen. No UK person may make available funds, economic resources and financial services to them or for their benefit, or to any of the companies or organisations they own or control – either over the course of doing business with them or otherwise.
On the basis of a new comprehensive reassessment, the Federal Council decided at its meeting on 27 March 2024, that there is currently no reason to change its position on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which entered into force in 2021. It has therefore reaffirmed the conclusion it reached in 2018 and 2019 and has decided that Switzerland will not join the TPNW for the time being.
The European Commission has approved an amendment to an existing Italian scheme, including a €150 million budget increase, to support companies in the agricultural, forestry, fishery and aquaculture sectors in the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The amendment of the scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023, to support measures in sectors which are key to accelerate the green transition and reduce fuel dependencies.
In the last two years, interest rates have increased. As inflation comes under control, interest rates are stable. In the Eurozone, the ECB is cautious on if or when interest rates might come down. The EU is driving the ‘sustainable finance agenda’: ensuring that investments are future proofed to deal with the transition towards sustainability.
The EU Commission has approved the acquisition of joint control of France Billet SAS by Fnac Darty Participations et Services SA, both based in France, and CTS Eventim AG & Co. KGaA, based in Germany. The transaction mainly concerns the entertainment and ticketing sectors.
Brussels, 15 June 2022 On Wednesday MEPs of the EP’s Culture and Education committee adopted
Brussels, 15 June 2022 Today, the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking announced five new sites for
Luxembourg, 15 June 2022 Abuse of dominance on the LTE chipsets market: the General Court
Brussels, 14 June 2022 The committee on Culture and Education, in association with the Civil
Brussels, 14 June 2022 The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a
Brussels, 14 June 2022 Employment Committee MEPs want to prevent techno-stress and over-connection in order
Today, at a dedicated event, the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking will inaugurate its latest supercomputer: LUMI,
COHESION POLICY The Rural Pact conference Video message by Commissioner Elisa Ferreira at the International
Brussels, 10 June 2022 Research and space 10 June 2022 Principles and values for international
Brussels, 10 June 2022 On Monday and Tuesday, the Pegasus committee of inquiry discusses spyware
As NATO Defence Ministers prepare to meet at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Thursday and Friday (17-18 October 2024), Secretary General Mark Rutte previewed the expected outcomes of the meeting in a press conference at NATO Headquarters.
The EU condemns in the strongest terms the bombing in the city of Kerman in Iran. This shocking act of terror has cost the lives of innocent civilians, with many injured. The EU expresses its solidarity with the Iranian people. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
The first ship, which set sail from Le Havre on December 20, carrying more than 350 tons of cargo, will arrive in Port Said, Egypt, on January 8. A second ship, carrying the second half of the cargo, will set sail from Le Havre today, bound for Port Said. The WFP will be responsible for receiving and distributing the nutrition kits, stepping up its efforts to provide emergency food aid to Gaza’s civilian population.
Syrian opposition figure and activist Riad al-Turk passed away in France on January 1. It is with great sorrow that we salute the memory of this freedom worker, and we offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, and fellow fighters for freedom and human rights. Syria’s oldest political dissident, Riad al-Turk began his political activities in the 1950s and was renowned for his courage and free speech. He fought tirelessly for a free and democratic Syria in the face of the Syrian regime’s barbarity. His unwavering resolve never flagged, despite being tortured and spending 20 years in prison.
France took up the month-long presidency of the UN Security Council on January 1. It follows Ecuador and commends the work carried out by the Ecuadorian presidency, which ended on December 31. The UN Charter gives the Security Council primary responsibility for preserving international peace and security. As a permanent member, France exercises particular responsibility in this area and will continue to do so. Under the French presidency, the Security Council will continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East, Ukraine, West Africa, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Cyprus, Nagorno-Karabakh, Haiti, Colombia and Central Asia. Major humanitarian crises will also be on its agenda.
The United Nations peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA) completed its withdrawal from that country on December 31. That withdrawal occurred at the request of Mali’s transition government, in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2690, adopted on June 30, 2023. Mali’s cooperation remains essential to ensuring the security of UN personnel still on the ground to oversee the transportation of equipment.
Ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea are illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilising. There is no lawful justification for intentionally targeting civilian shipping and naval vessels. Attacks on vessels, including commercial vessels, using unmanned aerial vehicles, small boats, and missiles, including the historic first use of anti-ship ballistic missiles against such vessels, are a direct threat to the freedom of navigation that serves as the bedrock of global trade in one of the world’s most critical waterways.
The EU condemns in the strongest terms today’s bombing in the city of Kerman in Iran. The EU expresses its solidarity with the Iranian people. This act of terror has exacted a shocking toll of civilian deaths and injuries. Our thoughts now are with the victims and their families.
Norwegian Defence minister Bjørn Arild Gram visited the airfield in Bodø this week, where the remaining preparations for the F-16s are being conducted before a mission. Norway is presenting two F-16 fighter jets that will train and educate Ukrainian personnel in Denmark. Norway is also sending down ten instructors that will aid in the training and education. – The contribution of F-16 from the military sector is nothing more than impressive, states the defence minister.
After heavy rainfall, the regions of Lower Saxony and Thuringia in Germany and Nord and Pas-de-Calais in France are facing floods and river overflows. In the past days, both countries have requested assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism that has quickly mobilised emergency support. For Germany, 39 responders from France with flood containment barriers and 16 vehicles have started response activities.
We are deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction caused by the most recent earthquake that hit Japan and yesterday’s related tragic plane collision. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected by the earthquake. We also commend the rescuers working tirelessly to save lives.
The Council today introduced additional restrictive measures against one person and one entity responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The new listings target the company PJSC Alrosa and its CEO Pavel Alekseevich Marinychev. PJSC Alrosa is the largest diamond-mining company in the world, owned by the Russian state and accounts for over 90% of all Russian diamond production, and the company constitutes an important part of an economic sector that is providing substantial revenue to the government of the Russian Federation.
Major aerial attacks causing widespread death and destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure have rained down on Ukraine in the first days of 2024 due to an intense new Russian offensive. In a statement on Tuesday, UN Humanitarian Coordinator Denise Brown strongly condemned the assaults targeting mostly cities. Ms. Brown on Tuesday once again reminded the Russian Federation that ‘indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are strictly forbidden under international humanitarian law’.
Progress towards climate adaptation is difficult to measure, the EU auditors say in their report. Between 20214 and 2020, at least €8 billion were earmarked for climate adaptation in the EU, rising to €26 billion between 2021-2027. Though the majority of projects examined by the ECA increased the adaptive capacity, there were still 40% of projects with little or no impact.
CLIMATE FINANCE: MEPs approve EIB’s 2023 financial activities, concerns on transparency and governance +++ Regulation (EU) 2023/956 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 May 2023 establishing a carbon border adjustment mechanism +++ Directive 2009/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 amending Directive 2003/87/EC so as to improve and extend the greenhouse gas emission allowance trading scheme of the Community
EU ENERGY PLATFORM: International suppliers offer almost 100bcm of gas to European consumers in first mid-term tender under the EU Energy Platform +++ BATTERY TECH: High-level IEA workshop brings together international thought leaders to discuss the importance of batteries in clean energy transitions +++ Wind Europe: Uptake in permitting and investments brings 2030 wind target within reach
Czechia has requested assistance in preparing for wildfires through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Finland responds to the request by sending a risk management expert to join the EU’s international team in the country. Czechia aims to enhance preparedness for and prevention of forest fires. The country has requested assistance for preparedness work through the EU Civil protection Mechanism. The serious forest fires in 2022 alerted the country to the need for enhancing preparedness.
The law, already informally agreed upon with Council, introduces new measures to better protect the EU’s wholesale energy market, better protecting the energy bills of European households and businesses from potential short-term market price fluctuations. The Regulation on Wholesale Energy Market Integrity and Transparency (REMIT) introduces a closer alignment to EU rules on the transparency of financial markets. It also covers new trading practices, such as algorithmic trading, and strengthens provisions on reporting and monitoring to protect consumers from market abuses.
REACH: ECHA checked over 20 % of REACH registration dossiers for compliance +++ ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES: Environmental crimes: MEPs adopt extended list of offences and sanctions +++ S&Ds ensure stricter sanctions for those guilty of environmental crimes +++ WASTE SHIPMENTS: Waste shipments: MEPs adopt tougher EU rules ++ NATURE RESTORATION: EU Parliament adopts law to restore 20% of EU’s land and seaadership in advanced materials
SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING: CEN, CENELEC and EFRAG join forces to foster synergies in sustainability reporting +++ GERMANY: Bewerbungsaufruf: Jetzt Klimaschutz-Unternehmen 2024 werden +++ EFRAG Sustainability Reporting Technical Expert Group Meeting 29 February 2024
GAS SUPPLY: EU Commission recommends that Member States continue saving gas to secure supplies and stabilise markets +++
RENEWABLES: Renewable energy for heating & cooling up to 25% in 2022 +++ HEAT PUMPS: Heat pump sales fall by 5% while EU delays action – European Heat Pump Association +++ REMIT: the emerging case law at EU and national level – Florence School of Regulation +++ HYDROGEN: Germany and Algeria set up hydrogen taskforce
The first tender with a new mid-term product for the purchasing of gas under the EU Energy Platform closed last night, and has attracted offers for a total volume of 97.4 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas, to respond to demand by European consumers. Through the AggregateEU mechanism, the Commission collected 34 bcm of gas demand from 19 companies last week. These volumes were put out to tender, and the supplies offered are almost triple the demand. The suppliers and consumers have now been matched through the AggregateEU platform, and companies will be able to enter into contractual negotiations bilaterally.
In a strong European Health Union, nobody should be left behind, no matter where they live, no matter their disease. Therefore, we need strong EU cooperation to ensure that everyone receives timely diagnosis, as well as affordable treatment and care. For more than 20 years, the EU has made the work in this area a priority. By putting patients at the centre, we have become a pioneer in the fight against rare diseases.
EU Parliament has given its final green light to the reform of EU rules strengthening the protection of Geographical Indications for wine, spirit drinks and agricultural products. The regulation adopted today with 520 votes in favour, 19 against and 64 abstentions protects GIs offline and online, gives more powers to their producers and simplifies the registration process of GIs.
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