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On 5 April 2022, the Commission presented a proposal for a regulation on fluorinated greenhouse gases that would repeal Regulation (EU) No 517/2014. The proposal is amongst the last from the 'fit for 55' package, aiming to align EU climate and energy laws with the EU Climate Law's 2030 target. The proposal aims to further reduce emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases). It would change the existing quota system, gradually reducing the supply of hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) to the EU market ...

As part of the 'fit for 55' package, the Commission proposed a revision to the EU's emissions trading system (ETS) as regards carbon dioxide emissions from aviation. The proposal sought to ensure that the sector contributes to the EU's climate targets through increased auctioning of allowances, with an end to free allowances from 2027, and by applying the linear reduction of aviation allowances. The proposal would also integrate, into the revised ETS, the International Civil Aviation Organization's ...

Russia's war on Ukraine has laid bare the challenges that the European defence industry faces as it tries to meet increased demand and ramp up production in the wake of a fundamentally changed security environment in Europe. The European defence industry comprises a number of large multinational companies, mid-caps and over 2 000 small and medium-sized enterprises. It faces a multitude of challenges, such as decades of under-investment, fragmentation, lack of supply of critical raw materials and ...

Leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will meet in Vilnius on 11-12 July against the backdrop of a complex and volatile security environment. Russia’s war on Ukraine, and the latter country’s future membership of the military alliance will dominate the annual summit, according to many public statements. The meeting will aim to send a strong signal of support for Ukraine, reiterating NATO’s open door policy towards the country's membership, increasing military aid, pledging to make ...

Russia's military aggression against Ukraine has brought war back to Europe, altering the security equilibrium. The war has placed Ukraine at the centre of the European Council's agenda and debates. The European Council President is in regular contact with the Ukrainian leadership, multiplying visits to Ukraine and references to the war in his speeches delivered abroad. This has also been the approach of the other two key actors in the EU's external representation: the European Commission President ...

Most products are not designed with their life cycle environmental impacts in mind, and it is difficult for consumers and economic operators to make sustainable choices when buying products. The EU still lacks an overarching legislative framework laying down rules for sustainable production and consumption of all products. Ecodesign refers to the integration of environmental sustainability considerations into the characteristics of a product, and into processes throughout its value chain. On 30 March ...

The European Commission tabled a proposal for an EU regulatory framework on artificial intelligence (AI) in April 2021. The draft AI act is the first ever attempt to enact a horizontal regulation for AI. The proposed legal framework focuses on the specific utilisation of AI systems and associated risks. The Commission proposes to establish a technology-neutral definition of AI systems in EU law and to lay down a classification for AI systems with different requirements and obligations tailored on ...

This paper provides detailed insight on the use of the EU budget to support Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees. It explains the recent Commission proposal for a new ‘Ukraine Facility’ to finance the country and its recovery in the years 2024 to 2027. Furthermore, the paper addresses the challenges of ensuring full parliamentary scrutiny, democratic oversight, and effective budgetary control of the enormous amounts spent on Ukraine’s recovery. On top of that, the paper presents principles for a successful ...

'Rainbow families' – same-sex couples with or without children – still face many obstacles while exercising their free movement rights today. In a debate in the European Parliament in September 2010, then European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, Viviane Reding, stated, 'Let me stress this. If you live in a legally recognised same-sex partnership, or marriage, in country A, you have the right – and this is a fundamental right – to take this status and that of your partner ...

Champions' League finals, the Olympic Games, World Cup football matches – millions of people worldwide watch them live. The nature of live events makes their economic value diminish after the event, when the result is known and the public loses interest, but real-time blocking of illegal broadcasting is challenging. However, together with the removal of illegal content, it appears to be a meaningful tool to limit damage for rights holders.