Latest documents

Summary : Midway of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the High-Level Political Forum 2023 marks a pivotal point in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The impact of the multiple crises of the past years, as well as the interlinkages and synergies of the SDGs present both challenges and opportunities for a systemic approach towards our common objectives. For the global community not to lose the progress in this global decade of action, there is a need for the EU to take the lead, both in domestic policies and international cooperation. Conclusions from the Eurostat Monitoring Report 2023, Sustainable Development Report 2022 and civil society analysis point to the EU’s progress on social-economic SDGs, and notes insufficient progress on environmental objectives and global partnerships. Thus, there is a strong need for policy coherence, financing frameworks and political will to ensure the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the objectives set out in the Paris Climate Agreement.

Authors : Nora HILLER

Summary : The briefing provides an overview of the key positions taken ahead of MEPC 80 with a focus on both the setting of ambitious GHG targets under the revision to the IMO GHG Strategy and the further discussion of the basket of mid- to long-term measures needed to deliver this enhanced level of ambition.

Authors : Nora WISSNER, Sean HEALY

Summary : The IA is convincing on the need to expand sustainable carbon removals and encourage innovative solutions to capture, recycle and store CO2. It points to the transboundary nature of climate change as justifying EU action, but the proportionality of the initiative is not discussed and there is no subsidiarity grid to further clarify the proposal's subsidiarity and proportionality aspects. The IA identifies three problems hindering effective and sustainable carbon removal activities; it describes them sufficiently well, but could have given more detail as to their scale in more detail. The IA suggests two sets of policy options (POs) (quality options and governance options) with two alternatives to the baseline per set of options; this raises the question whether the four possible combinations of POs provide a sufficient range of options. The IA assesses the initiative's environmental, economic and social impacts and links them to seven SDGs. It compares the four POs packages for their effectiveness and efficiency. It describes their coherence with other policy initiatives and instruments, and concludes that the preferred option is where the Commission develops certification methodologies and ensures the correct implementation of the framework. An SME test was done and concluded that SMEs were expected to provide a 'very significant contribution to the implementation of the initiative', which 'potentially offers significant financial opportunities for economic operators in these sectors'. The IA discusses the discarded options, such as a mandatory requirement for all EU operators to certify carbon removals in line with the EU framework. The voluntary nature of the initiative could have been explained more clearly. Although the initiative is apparently supported by the majority of stakeholders and the IA consistently refers to stakeholders' opinions and is well founded on available evidence, stakeholders' views on the preferred option could have been presented more transparently. The IA refers to an extensive literature and relevant recent studies; links are provided to most of footnotes and reference documents are mentioned, increasing the transparency and accessibility of the information used.

Authors : AUSRA RAKSTELYTE

Summary : The 76th World Health Assembly (WHA) will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 21 to 30 May 2023. The WHA is the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO), gathering annually and composed of delegations from all 194 Member States (MS). The WHA discusses and votes on the decisions and resolutions prepared by either WHO’s Executive Board (EB), Director-General or proposed by groups of MS. The Executive Board is composed of 34 individuals elected for three years, and its annual meeting takes place in January.

Authors : Maxime MOULAC, Pavlou PANAGIOTA, Olivia AOUATI

Summary : As the first EU act specifically regulating the EU's CRM supply, the proposed initiative aims to address an area previously identified as one of the EU's strategic dependencies. Following a clear problem description, the IA presents three (partially overlapping) policy options and a thorough analysis of their possible impacts, with a clear focus on economic impacts. The identification of the preferred policy option appears justified. The predominantly qualitative assessment draws merely on desk research and stakeholder input. In this respect, the IA admits to having 'significant data gaps' and a 'limited' evidence base, owing in part to 'the lack of a supporting study'. With regard to stakeholder input, the IA does not explain why the public consultation was open for only 8 weeks (instead of the default 12). It is notable that the proposed regulation deviates somewhat in scope from the IA: it adds a further specific objective – namely to diversify CRM imports in order to reduce strategic dependencies – and provides for a few measures that were either not assessed at all in the IA, or which were outside the preferred policy option.

Authors : Irmgard ANGLMAYER

Summary : The IA provides a convincing justification on the need to revise the CLP. It presents a well-evidenced problem definition and describes the scale of the problems. The IA does not provide self-standing policy options addressing all the drivers. Instead, it provides three policy option packages, under which the sub-options are the policy options; however, there are in fact only a few alternative choices. The IA explains the policy options and their impacts in detail in extensive annexes. The comparison of the options would have benefited from further clarification, as the IA does not score the options but instead it describes them qualitatively and does not use comparable expressions.The preferred option package is sufficiently justified and the reasons for discarding measures have been explained. The IA openly explains the limitations in the analysis, in particular in relation to quantification. The IA provides a description of the broad stakeholder consultations. It appears from the annexes that an SME test was conducted; however it would have been more reader-friendly if this had been explained in the main text or at least in a separate annex, as the information related to different elements of the SME test is presented in a rather fragmented way throughout the IA. The IA could have clarified for the sake of transparency, whether the supporting studies are publicly available.

Authors : ULLA-MARI TUOMINEN

Summary : This study has been commissioned by the European Parliament’s Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies, Directorate-General for Internal Policies at the request of the ENVI Committee. It analyses EFSA’s independence and transparency policies and examines how legislative provisions have been implemented by EFSA and whether rules and practices adopted by EFSA can be improved.

Authors : Ellen VOS, Annalisa VOLPATO, and Guido BELLENGHI

Summary : The IA provides a good overview of the problems relating to packaging and packaging waste, and the possible impacts of the various measures proposed to address the problems. In its assessment, which is both qualitative and quantitative, the IA relies on a wealth of data sources and modelling. However, it does not clearly indicate the IA supporting studies and their full references; this would have improved transparency. The IA presents three policy options, which are partially incremental and cannot therefore serve as self-standing alternatives. The IA provides sufficient justification for the preferred option. Broad stakeholder consultations were carried out and the IA presents stakeholders' views, although on individual measures rather than on the three policy options. The description of the monitoring and evaluation plan is rather limited; for example, the operational objectives and the timeframe for the evaluation are not explained. On a technical point, the IA could have made more use of the material from the extensive annexes, for example, to describe the policy options and the third problem in more detail in the main text.

Authors : ULLA-MARI TUOMINEN

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : The European Union has been developing a policy on chemicals for more than 50 years. It employs legal regulation as the main policy instrument and aims to protect human health and the environment against the hazardous properties of chemicals, ensuring their free movement within the internal market, while also promoting competitiveness and innovation in the relevant industrial sector. Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (the CLP Regulation) is a key regulatory instrument of EU chemicals policy. In 2020, in the context of the zero pollution ambition of the European Green Deal, the European Commission adopted a chemicals strategy for sustainability aimed at better protecting citizens and the environment and boosting innovation for safe and sustainable chemicals. The achievement of these objectives requires the revision of several pieces of EU legislation regulating chemicals, including the CLP Regulation. This briefing informs parliamentary decision-making by presenting findings on the implementation of the regulation.

Authors : Ekaterina KARAMFILOVA

Summary : European countries have been experiencing medicine shortages due to disruptions in the supply chain. Reshoring the productions of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is considered as an approach to secure the supply. This study informs about the state-of-play of API production in the European Union, including reshoring initiatives. Studying potential benefits and challenges of local API production and the processes of reshoring, the document explores measures to facilitate the production of APIs in the European Union.

Authors : Stefan FISCHER, Verena KNOLL, Frank ALLEWELDT, Sabine VOGLER

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : This 'cost of non-Europe' report looks at the potential benefits of efficient, ambitious and united EU-level action in the space sector. The report finds that to enable the European space sector to benefit from open strategic autonomy, and to ensure EU access to and use of space, including for its security, the EU must act decisively. Moving away from fragmentation could bring large benefits, amounting to at least €140 billion per year by 2050.

Authors : ALEKSANDRA HEFLICH, JEROME LEON SAULNIER, CLEMENT THIERRY EVROUX

Summary : The evolution of HIV from a fatal to a long-term condition poses challenges for people living with HIV and for health and social care systems across the EU. This paper aims to help Members of the European Parliament and other interested stakeholders to obtain a better picture of the current situation in relation to HIV among people living with HIV in the EU, HIV-related stigma and issues which impact on health-related quality of life for people living with HIV.

Authors : ECDC European Centre for Disease Control

Summary : The IA provides a well-evidenced description of the problem and its scale and sufficiently substantiates the need to lower the current EU occupational exposure level for asbestos. However, the IA could have explained the evaluation findings in more detail and clarified the problem drivers further. The IA clearly explains the scientific opinion of the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC), according to which there is no safe exposure level and therefore the RAC did not recommend any specific OEL. The IA describes different OEL options, but does not explain to what extent the options differ, for example, in terms of risk management measures. The IA justifies the preferred option for example by the efficiency aspects (cost/benefit ratio). In the effectiveness analysis, the IA finds that the preferred option is the best one, as it is supported by employers' and government interest groups, and therefore 'offers the best balance between prevention and practical implementation'. It would have benefited the analysis if the IA had explained this argument in more detail, given the different views of the social partners. The Commission has carried out an SME test, as nearly all the companies involved in the asbestos work are small companies. According to the estimates, in the construction sector, which represents 99 % of the companies involved in work with asbestos, the costs would remain largely proportionate. The IA explains the analytical methods used, as well as the limitations and uncertainties of the analysis.

Authors : ULLA-MARI TUOMINEN

Summary : Overall, the IA describes the scope of the problem sufficiently well, and explains briefly, but convincingly, the need for EU action, although proportionality does not appear to have been dealt with in any depth. The IA does not define any operational objectives, which would illustrate what the deliverables of the specific policy actions are, although it identifies monitoring indicators for the specific objectives. The sufficient range of retained policy options is structured according to increasing levels of regulatory intervention, and appears to be convincing. However, the IA would have benefited from providing a more user-friendly description of some of the envisaged measures. On the whole, the IA appears to have analysed aspects of the economic impact satisfactorily, while the analysis regarding environmental impacts is very limited, although this appears justified based on the problem definition and the objectives identified. As regards social impacts, the IA quantifies the benefits, expressed in terms of savings in health expenditure, for healthcare providers, patients, researchers and innovators. The analysis regarding the impact on SMEs is rather weak, not least considering that 95 % of the companies operating in the medical technologies sector are SMEs. The analysis of the impact on innovation is not dealt with comprehensively, whereas this would perhaps have been warranted considering that increasing innovation in health products and services is part of the general and specific objectives, while the analysis regarding competitiveness is almost non-existent. The IA appears to have addressed the RSB's comments only partially. The proposal appears to be consistent with the analysis carried out in the IA as regards the envisaged measures included in the preferred options.

Authors : STEFANO VETTORAZZI

Summary : The European Commission plans to launch its revised EU pharmaceutical package in the first quarter of 2023. Ahead of its release, two recent STOA studies offer insight to inform upcoming Parliamentary discussions. Fragmentation of EU health research and development, lack of transparency and a translation gap between public investment and clinical output are among the weaknesses identified. Possible solutions include the creation of large-scale European biomedical infrastructure, and a series of targeted strategies to improve EU health research coordination and reprioritise areas of unmet therapeutic need.

Authors : LUISA ANTUNES

Summary : The IA examines the problem's nature and scale comprehensively. It offers a broad and realistic range of policy options and presents the stakeholders' views on the options transparently. It gives a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the economic, social and environmental impacts, referring to the evaluation of the EU biodiversity strategy to 2020 that ran in parallel to the IA, as well as an external support study, stakeholder consultations and various duly referenced data sources. It is open about limitations and uncertainties, such as risks that could potentially limit the benefits of ecosystem restoration. It states that for some ecosystems there was insufficient data to allow a quantitative estimation of costs and benefits. The IA does not quantify the costs and benefits of the policy options for SMEs, and does not discuss competitiveness substantially.

Authors : DIETER FRIZBERG

Summary : Directive 94/62/EC aims to harmonise national measures concerning the management of packaging and packaging waste. The objective is to protect the environment and ensure the proper functioning of the internal market. In 2018, the directive was revised, and more ambitious targets for recycling of packaging waste were set for EU Member States to achieve by 2025 and 2030 (for instance, by the end of 2030, at least 70 % by weight of all packaging waste will have to be recycled). Article 9(5) of the directive requires another revision to reinforce the 'essential requirements' with which all packaging material must comply to be placed on the market. It is expected that further measures aimed at reducing the generation of packaging waste will be introduced as part of the revision, in line with commitments taken under the EU plastics strategy, the European Green Deal and its circular economy pillar. This briefing informs parliamentary decision-making by presenting findings on the implementation of the directive, and in particular the reinforcement of the 'essential requirements', which is central to the upcoming revision.

Authors : Ekaterina KARAMFILOVA

Summary : This study aims at providing background information on the history and functioning of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and its Protocols. It also gives an overview on recent developments and main topics to be discussed at COP15. Special emphasis is put on the development of the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

Authors : Andreas HEISSENBERGER, Anita GREITER

Summary : These proceedings summarise the presentations and discussions before the European Parliament’s Health Working Group as part of the workshop on ‘New incentives to improve the accessibility and availability of antimicrobial medicinal products’, held on 26 October 2022. The five presentations touched, inter alia, upon the burden of AMR, the current research on development of antimicrobials, and incentive models. These workshop proceedings were provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies for the European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI).

Authors : Maxime MOULAC, Ursula THEURETZBACHER

Summary : Antimicrobial-resistant infections are predicted to become the second biggest cause of death worldwide by 2050. Despite increasing investment in the development of new antimicrobials, awareness campaigns on antimicrobial misuse and abuse, and monitoring of antimicrobial use and resistance in animals, humans and the environment, antimicrobial resistance continues to grow and the last three decades have not seen even one novel antimicrobial class reach the market. Could the answer lie in a 'Trojan horse' strategy to disrupt a natural physiological process common to all bacteria?

Authors : LUISA ANTUNES

Summary : The IA defines the problem, its drivers and the need to revise the 2009 Ozone Regulation convincingly. It appears to be well substantiated and based on extensive public consultations and recent data, the supporting study and the evaluation of the 2009 regulation. However, the IA could have referenced the data more effectively and provided links to all public sources. The measures identified as feasible are explained with reference to stakeholders' opinions, feasibility and proportionality, while discarded measures are clarified in a dedicated annex. Based on the comparison of options and their impacts, as well as the EU's international obligations and in particular its climate ambitions, the explanation of the choice of preferred option appears convincing. The costs and benefits of each measure have been identified and analysed in a thorough manner; this includes identification of who would be affected and how. While the level of ambition concerning the emissions reduction appears to be supported by the majority of stakeholders, the IA does not give a clear overview of how different stakeholders see the economic impacts of the preferred option's measures. The IA, to the extent possible, includes consideration of regional impacts and impacts on vulnerable consumers. Synergies with other EU policies and legislation (e.g. the F-Gas Regulation and the Waste Framework Directive) are identified and explained.

Authors : AUSRA RAKSTELYTE

Summary : The IA provides a good information package concerning the revision of the CPR, including a summary of the SME test that was carried out, relying on a wealth of evidence, studies and reports. Yet, while the problem definition is well evidenced, the description of the problems and their scale would have benefited from more detailed explanations. In the extensive stakeholder consultations, stakeholders had different views about the policy options; for example, the preferred option received less support than the options suggesting keeping the baseline or making a revision without major changes. The stakeholder feedback lacked detailed information on the nature of costs for manufacturers and the response rate was low, which weakens the economic analysis and raises doubts about the representativeness of the stakeholder views. The Commission openly explains the uncertainties affecting the economic analysis as well as those linked to the assessment of the risks on health and safety due to the lack of data. The IA provides the justification for the preferred option in terms of effectiveness and coherence criteria, but the efficiency aspect lacks robustness (the comparison of the options is only qualitative). The preferred sub-option of the preferred option was developed after the stakeholder consultation, and therefore the IA does not reflect stakeholders' views on it.

Authors : ULLA-MARI TUOMINEN

Summary : The 19th Conference of the Parties (COP19) on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) to be held in Panama in November 2022, provides the opportunity for Parties to review the implementation of the Convention, consider amendments to strengthen protection of key species, make recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the Convention, and discuss finance and resources for stronger action. Despite the high degree of political attention that illegal trade has attracted, a number of weaknesses have been identified in the implementation of CITES.

Authors : Manuel Mota, Panagiota Pavlou, Laura Vona, Isa Vroom and Tony Zamparutti

Summary : Since its adoption in 1991, the main objective of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive has been the protection of the environment from the adverse effects of urban waste water discharges. While the directive has not been revised until now, recent developments – such as contaminants of emerging concern, increasing heavy rainfalls and adoption of stricter rules in some Member States – have rendered its evaluation necessary. This briefing offers an overview of the evaluation of this directive as well as of relevant stakeholders' position papers in view of its forthcoming revision.

Authors : Izabela Cristina BACIAN

Summary : Air pollution is a serious issue with tangible negative effects on health, the environment, economies and societies. The EU has developed a policy on air quality to help Member States reduce air polluting emissions. Although emissions have been falling for the past two decades, exceedances for certain harmful pollutants are still widespread and persistent. A 2019 Commission fitness check of the EU Ambient Air Quality Directives (AAQDs), which are central to EU air quality policy, shows that the two directives 'have not ensured that sufficient action is taken throughout the EU to meet air quality standards and keep exceedances as short as possible, resulting in a mixed picture'. The identified deficiencies require a revision of the AAQDs, which also need to be adapted to the priorities of the European Green Deal and in particular to its zero pollution pillar. The European Parliament, which scrutinised implementation of the AAQDs in 2021, will be a co-legislator in this revision. This briefing presents findings on the implementation of the directives and thus aims to inform parliamentary decision-making.

Authors : Ekaterina KARAMFILOVA

Summary : The COVID 19 pandemic prompted reinforced investment in health research, to support rapid research and innovation for vaccine development and health care measures. The European Union response highlighted strengths and weaknesses in EU research organisation and funding. Over time, EU investment in health research has been aimed at increasing knowledge and transfer of knowledge into innovation, for better health. To this end, several instruments have been developed, but the impact of these efforts is hampered by fragmentation and a lack of synergy between strategies at different levels. Inequalities in health and research across Member States need further measures. Policies can take inspiration from successful health research organisation and policies inside and outside the EU, for more coherence and throughput to implementation. Health research needs strong leadership to engage in global health and to tackle the challenges of the interconnectedness of health with environmental and climate challenges, and durable economic development. Stakeholder involvement in a formal structure will secure permanent dialogue for fruitful research and development.

Authors : DG, EPRS

Summary : On 20 and 21 October 2022, EU Heads of State or Government will meet for a formal European Council dedicated to Ukraine, energy and the economy – three interlinked topics that have been permanently on the European Council agenda since Russia launched its war on Ukraine. EU leaders are expected to condemn Russia's further escalation of the conflict and recent attacks on civilians and infrastructure across Ukraine; condemn the sham referendums in four Ukrainian regions; consider the deepening food crisis; and explore ways to protect critical infrastructure after the Nord Stream pipelines sabotage. On energy, the European Council meeting is expected to agree on new strategic guidelines, with discussion on means of reducing gas prices, price-caps or alternative approaches – an issue on which Member States have diverging views – likely to be rather heated. EU leaders will also discuss climate change and biodiversity protection ahead of the main annual events on these topics led by the United Nations (UN). Moreover, leaders will hold a debate on China and prepare for the December 2022 summit between the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The European Council meeting will open with the traditional exchange of views with the European Parliament's President, Roberta Metsola.

Authors : Suzana Elena ANGHEL

Summary : This study provides an overview of the status of international climate negotiations and issues at stake at the COP27 climate change conference. It also addresses the current implementation of the Paris Agreement, the stakeholders in the negotiations and the climate policies of key Parties. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI).

Authors : Lorenz MOOSMANN, Anne SIEMONS, Felix FALLASCH, Lambert SCHNEIDER, Cristina URRUTIA, Nora WISSNER, Roman MENDELEVITCH, Hauke HERMANN, Sean HEALY, Dietram OPPELT, Stefanie HEINEMANN

Summary : This document is a compilation of briefings that track the commitments made by the Vice-Presidents and Commissioners to the European Parliament – in their written answers to Parliament’s questions, at their hearings, and, in some cases, in subsequent appearances before Parliament’s committees. The document provides an overview of the state-of-play at the mid-term of the von der Leyen Commission. Since many of these commitments were made, major international crises have shifted some political priorities. The Vice-Presidents’ and Commissioners’ progress on their commitments should be considered in this context.

Summary : This briefing follows up the commitments made by the commissioner since 2019.

Summary : This briefing follows up the commitments made by the commissioner since 2019.

Summary : This briefing follows up the commitments made by the commissioner in 2019.

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : These proceedings summarise the presentations and discussions before the European Parliament’s Health Working Group as part of the workshop on ‘Novel tobacco products and their effects on health’, held on 30 November 2022. The four presentations touched, inter alia, upon the current state of research on health effects, their role in harm reduction and regulatory recommendations. These workshop proceedings were provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies for the European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI).

Authors : Julia Lietzmann, Maxime Moulac

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : The purpose of this briefing is to provide support to the European Parliament delegation prior to the 10th session of the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) between 5 – 15 July at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters, New York, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. It provides an overview of key issues at stake in the meeting and progress made on the implementation of the SDGs by the EU, with a particular focus on the SDGs to be reviewed in depth at the Forum. It also provides an overview of tools and pathways available to accelerate the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda, which has relevance for all areas of DG ENVI's Committee, on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. The link to policy priorities include SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), with the former linking to all of the SDGs. SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) connect to the European Green Deal, Biodiversity, the Circular Economy, public health, food safety, air and water quality, the use of chemicals and pesticides, and SDG 17 (Partnerships) encompasses the the external dimensions and impacts of EU policies on the EU's global partners.

Authors : Sarah Franklyn, Nora Hiller and Antoine Oger (IEEP)

Summary : The rapid growth of genetic databases worldwide, coupled with fast-decreasing costs and the rapid pace of technological change, has increased the possibility of every human genome on Earth being sequenced this century. This raises ethical and legal questions on data privacy and ownership. While a global genetic database would revolutionise preventive medicine and research, new forms of surveillance, discrimination and power imbalances could emerge. The global interplay between the individual, the state and private individuals could shift, requiring modern and flexible legislation to protect the rights of the individual.

Authors : LUISA ANTUNES

Summary : Pollution, ecosystem decline, climate impacts and overfishing threaten the health of the world’s ocean. The 2022 Ocean Conference provides an opportunity to strengthen synergies among stakeholders to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, ‘Life Below Water’. The targets set under SDG 14 have largely not been achieved on an international level. Marine pollution remains a major issue, while increasing deoxygenation and acidification is putting marine species and coastal communities alike in danger. Existing and emerging economic activities (such as shipping and seabed mining) are competing for the use of marine space and are threatening ecosystems and biodiversity. Fish stocks continue to be overexploited. The economies of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and many Least Developing States (LDS) depend on the health the ocean.

Authors : Argyro Kepesidi, Panagiota Pavlou, Isa Vroom, Tony Zamparutti (Milieu Consulting)

Summary : The IA clearly identifies the problem that needs to be addressed and details the problem drivers. Furthermore, the IA discusses the evolution of the problem if the EU were to take no action. The IA relates the objectives with the problem/problem drivers in a supported manner. The options for the different policy areas to tackle appear to be sufficient and justified against the objectives. The assessment of the options retained for their economic, environmental and social impacts is thorough, but could have benefited from the availability of more complete data, and from the application of the Better Regulation Guidelines in assessing impacts on SMEs and on competitiveness. The indicators for monitoring and evaluating the success of the initiative are supported by existing frameworks and can be considered to be sufficient and effective. Consultation of interested parties occurred through an open public consultation and three stakeholder meetings, the findings of which are in line with the preferred options in the IA. The analysis performed in the IA seems to be well supported, and the comments from the RSB were addressed. In conclusion, the IA and the proposal are consistent.

Authors : HENRIQUE ANDRE MORGADO SIMOES

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : Linking national spending on the environment with the effects it has on the environmental performance of EU Member States allows for a better assessment of the effective quality of budgetary interventions. In this analysis, based on the detailed research paper in the Annex, we discuss under what circumstances some public environmental expenditure could be spent more efficiently at EU rather than at national level. We estimate that this transfer towards a more efficient level of governance would allow Member States to save between €20 billion and €26 billion of budgetary spending per year. In the present exacerbated economic, social and environmental crisis, we conclude that reducing budgetary waste and improving the way public money is spent should be fully integrated to achieve more sustainable development.

Authors : ALEKSANDRA HEFLICH, JEROME LEON SAULNIER

Summary : The 75th World Health Assembly will take place in Geneva, Switzerland from 22 to 28 May 2022. The main topic is “Health for peace and peace for health”. It will discuss and treat matters focusing on four pillars, three of which contribute to the “triple billion targets”: Pillar 1: One billion more people benefiting from universal health coverage ; Pillar 2: One billion more people better protected from health emergencies ; Pillar 3: One billion more people enjoying better health and well-being ; Pillar 4: More effective and efficient WHO providing better support to countries. Delegations from 194 WHO Member States and other organisations (with observer status) will participate in the meeting, that consists of a plenary and two committees. Between sessions technical meetings and social events are organised. The European Union cooperates with WHO and supports its activities in reaching its targets on global, regional and local (country) level. The European Parliament has provided major contributions relevant for the 75th WHA including on accelerating progress and tackling inequalities towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 (Pillar I), the upgrade of the cross-border health threats framework, strengthening of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) (Pillar II) as well as for example the EU food and feed regulation (Pillar III).

Authors : Katharina HABIMANA; Alexander HAASIS, Sabine VOGLER

Summary : This briefing provides an initial analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the European Commission's impact assessment (IA) accompanying the proposal for an EU legal framework to halt and reverse EU-driven global deforestation, submitted on 17 November 2021 and referred to the European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI). The proposal was first announced in the 2019 Commission communication on Stepping up EU action to protect and restore the world's forests, and then confirmed in the European Green Deal, the 2030 EU biodiversity strategy and the 'farm to fork' strategy. On 22 October 2020, on the basis of an own-initiative report, the European Parliament adopted a resolution, which was accompanied by a European added value assessment. The resolution calls on the Commission to submit a proposal for an EU legal framework to halt and reverse EU-driven global deforestation. Following up on this request, the Commission included the present proposal in its 2021 work programme and the 2021 joint declaration on legislative priorities.

Authors : Vera VIKOLAINEN

Summary : The IA convincingly illustrates the identified problems, although their scale is not always supported by estimates, or the source of some of the estimates is not provided. When discussing how the situation would evolve without further action, the IA neither discusses the evolution of each problem identified nor any other existing or upcoming EU initiatives that could lead to improvements. The general objectives appear to be consistent with the problems identified, and the specific objectives comply broadly with the SMART criteria. The retained options tackle the problems' drivers identified progressively, although it is unclear why some of the policy measures identified under Options 2 or 3 were not taken up under the preferred Option 4. The IA appears to assess the main economic, social, and environmental impacts for each policy measure comprehensively, quantifying them whenever possible, and otherwise providing a qualitative assessment. However, the analysis on SMEs is quite limited, and the IA does not provide any explanation as to why competitiveness was not considered. Moreover, despite it likely being relevant, the IA does not appear to have dealt with the impact on third/developing countries sufficiently and systematically. Overall, the monitoring framework envisaged appears to be adequate, although more clarity as to the choice of identifying indicators for only two specific objectives would have been beneficial. Stakeholders were consulted extensively and their opinions systematically reported. The efforts undertaken to provide quantitative support for the analysis performed appear to be convincing, and the IA appears to have addressed the RSB's comments satisfactorily. Finally, the proposal appears to be consistent with the analysis carried out in the IA.

Authors : STEFANO VETTORAZZI

Summary : The IA covers two Commission proposals representing the biggest amendment to date of the Solvency II framework, which came into force in the EU in 2016. Important parts of the framework laid down in delegated and implementing acts will be updated by the Commission at a later stage. This IA builds on a broad consultation of stakeholders, and on extensive advice from the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA). In addition to various reports from EIOPA including a holistic IA, the IA draws on a technical report from the JRC and an external study, which are adequately referenced and publicly accessible. The objectives are directly linked to the problems identified in the IA and their consequences. The Solvency II review aims to increase policyholders' protection as well as the insurers' contribution to the long-term green financing of the economy, to contribute to financial stability, and to preserve the international competitiveness of the EU insurance industry. The preferred options are in line with EIOPA's advice, except for the policy dimension related to proportionality, where the IA explains why the preferred option deviates from EIOPA's recommendation. The IA shows how the combination of preferred options is expected to contribute to the achievement of the objectives identified. The IA assesses and compares the potential impacts of the options presented to achieve these objectives in a systematic way. In addition, the IA describes the potential positive impact of the preferred options on SMEs. The IA also explains how the proposed Solvency II review is expected to improve proportionality and to simplify the regulatory framework. The IA mainly focuses on the economic impacts of the initiative. The main social impact assessed by the IA concerns the expected improvement of policyholder protection. Potential environmental impacts relating to enhanced green financing, could have been more clearly addressed in the IA.

Authors : VERONIQUE GIRARD

Summary : Industrial pollution is regulated by the EU directive on industrial emissions (IED). It lays down rules designed to prevent, or, if impracticable, to reduce emissions into air, water and land and to prevent the generation of waste, in order to achieve a high level of protection of the environment taken as a whole. The European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR) ensures public access to data on emissions from major industrial activities. The ex-post evaluations of the directive and the regulation setting the register show they are generally performing well in practice. However, there are implementation issues, including inconsistences between the directive and the register. This briefing presents findings of publicly available sources on the implementation of both pieces of EU law and thus aims at informing their upcoming revision in the context of European Green Deal, in which Parliament will be a co-legislators.

Authors : Ekaterina KARAMFILOVA

Summary : The depletion of the ozone layer affects negatively both humans and the natural environment. It is provoked by chemicals known as 'ozone depleting substances' (ODSs), which are also potent greenhouse gases. They have been subject to legal regulation at international level for several decades (the Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol, adopted in the second half of the 1980s under UN auspices). EU has always spearheaded global efforts in the field of ODSs, adopting its first rules in the early 1980s and later addressing them specifically through Regulation (EC) 1005/2009. The ex-post evaluation of the implementation of the regulation published at the end of 2019 shows that overall performance matches expectations and that the regulation is thus fit for purpose, despite some aspects in need of improvement. A Commission proposal for revision of the regulation is expected in the spring of 2022. This implementation appraisal presents findings on the implementation of the regulation.

Authors : Ekaterina KARAMFILOVA

Summary : This briefing provides an initial analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the European Commission’s impact assessment (IA) accompanying the proposal to amend the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) Regulation (EU) 2018/841. Despite the effort involved, the IA contains a number of shortcoming that significantly limit its potential to usefully inform policy-making. The impacts of the preferred option, its costs and benefits remain unclear, despite the estimates provided in the IA. Moreover, the baseline used in this IA does not appear to be dynamic or harmonised with the 'fit for 55' package, while one of the options does not appear to be a real alternative. Finally, the proposal does not seem to follow the recommendations of the IA, which suggests that relatively less ambitious LULUCF targets under Option 2 combined with ESR-LULUCF flexibility would be more coherent if the ESR targets are significantly raised (which is the preferred option in the ESR IA and the proposal for ESR revision).

Authors : Vera VIKOLAINEN

Summary : The impact assessment (IA) supporting the proposal 'Fuel EU Maritime' provides a qualitative and quantitative analysis, which is based on sound and recent data. It also explains some uncertainties in the analysis of impacts. The IA presents a well-evidenced problem definition and a sufficiently broad range of policy options. The quality of the IA is weakened by some inconsistencies in the comparison of options. In addition, the IA does not assess to what extent SMEs are effected of this proposal and the stakeholders' views on the fully fledged options are not indicated. It can be noted also that the open public consultation period does not meet the 12 week-requirement.

Authors : ULLA-MARI TUOMINEN

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : Carbon farming refers to sequestering and storing carbon and/or reducing greenhouse gas emissions at farm level. It offers significant but uncertain mitigation potential in the EU, can deliver co-benefits to farmers and society, but also carries risks that need to be managed. The report identifies opportunities and constraints for carbon farming, options for financing, and open questions that need to be resolved to scale up carbon farming in a way that delivers robust climate mitigation and European Union Green Deal objectives.

Authors : Hugh McDonald, Ana Frelih-Larsen, Clunie Keenleyside, Anna Lóránt, Laurens Duin, Sarah Pyndt Andersen, Giulia Costa, Gabrielle Aubert, Nora Hiller

Summary : The IA analyses the nature and scale of the problem, which triggers the revision of the Effort Sharing Regulation. While subsidiarity is suffiicently addressed, the proportionality aspects of the revision are not addressed by the IA. One general and three specific objectives, clearly deriving from the problem, were set up. Three policy options were identified and analysed in detail. The options (and their sub-options) were compared in terms of their potential to achieve the specific objectives, in particular, regarding their scope, environmental integrity, distribution of efforts (in terms of fairness and cost-efficiency) and flexibility offered. The options have been analysed mostly for their environmental, economic and administrative impacts. Stakeholder views are abundently used and transparently referenced throughout the analysis of impact. The IA is based on a solid knowledge base combining the use of qualitative and quantitiave methods.

Authors : Ekaterina KARAMFILOVA

Summary : Carbon farming refers to sequestering and storing carbon and/or reducing greenhouse gas emissions at farm level. It offers significant but uncertain mitigation potential in the EU, can deliver co-benefits to farmers and society, but also carries risks that need to be managed. The report identifies opportunities and constraints for carbon farming, options for financing, and open questions that need to be resolved to scale up carbon farming in a way that delivers robust climate mitigation and European Union Green Deal objectives.

Authors : Hugh McDonald, Ana Frelih-Larsen, Clunie Keenleyside, Anna Lóránt, Laurens Duin, Sarah Pyndt Andersen, Giulia Costa, Gabrielle Aubert, Nora Hiller

Summary : The 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) focuses on increasing ambition and implementing the Paris Agreement. This study provides an overview of the international framework to address climate change, the Parties and stakeholders involved, the status of the negotiations and recent developments that affected the international process. The COP26 is scheduled to take place in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November 2021, after it was delayed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At this conference, delegates will discuss the rules for the implementation of the Paris Agreement and address issues such as the adaptation to climate change and support to developing countries. In addition, the conference will provide an important opportunity for governments to commit to increased mitigation ambition and for civil society representatives to emphasise the need for urgent action.

Authors : Lorenz MOOSMANN, Anne SIEMONS, Felix FALLASCH, Lambert SCHNEIDER, Cristina URRUTIA, Nora WISSNER, Dietram OPPELT

Summary : This study examines the zoonotic disease risks posed by the livestock sector (including fur production), reviews the risks posed by different livestock species and production systems, and examines case studies of past zoonotic disease epidemics. Building on this evidence, it reviews EU zoonosis surveillance and control arrangements. It recommends improvements including integration of human and animal disease surveillance services, expanded use of syndromic surveillance and changes to the funding of Member States’ zoonotic disease programmes under Regulation (EU) 652/2014.

Authors : Jeremy Brice, Rossella Soldi, Pablo Alarcon-Lopez, Javier Guitian, Julian Drewe, Daniela Baeza Breinbauer, Francisca Torres-Cortés, Katie Wheeler

Summary : The Commission is proposing a new Artificial Intelligence Act laying down rules harmonised rules on AI. This initial appraisal of the Commission’s impact assessment on the proposal notes how the impact assessment the impact assessment banks on a wealth of available research on the topic at hand and uses numerous sources to underpin the discussion. It observes that the impact assessment offers a diverse and realistic range of options and traces a clear intervention logic connecting the problems and their drivers with the specific objectives and the policy options.

Authors : HUBERT DALLI

Summary : The proceedings summarise the expert presentations and discussions of the workshop on the extension of the Review of the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry Regulation. The workshop served to prepare the ENVI Committee for the upcoming legislative “Fit for 55” package of proposals, as part of the European Green Deal. The presentations focused on options for improving carbon sinks in the EU and strengthening the LULUCF Regulation. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies for the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI).

Authors : Cristina, URRUTIA, Anke HEROLD and Sabine GORES

Summary : The proceedings summarize the expert presentations and discussions of the workshop on the extension of the EU ETS to transport emissions. The workshop served to prepare the ENVI Committee for the upcoming legislative “Fit for 55” package of proposals, as part of the European Green Deal. The presentations focused on options and implications of the future inclusion of road transport, shipping and aviation in the EU ETS. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies for the committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI).

Authors : Cristina URRUTIA, Jakob GRAICHEN, Anke HEROLD

Summary : The European Union (EU) has a long history of regulating the welfare of farmed animals. Currently, the 'on-farm' aspects of animal welfare (AW) are regulated by five directives adopted by the Council of the EU. The European Parliament is scrutinising the implementation of the EU legislation through a dedicated report (with the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee (AGRI) taking the lead and the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee (ENVI) giving its opinion). This European Implementation Assessment (EIA), aimed at providing evidence in support of the committees' work on the report, shows that the implementation of the EU acquis has been challenging. Based on a large data collection programme, it presents findings on the implementation of the EU legislation against the standard criteria for ex-post evaluation, namely relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence and EU added value. The EIA also maps and assesses AW labelling systems operating across the EU in terms of their design (including their scientific substantiation), regulatory status and functioning (including their effectiveness, efficiency and transparency). Furthermore, the paper analyses the prospects for a possible introduction of AW labelling at EU level.

Authors : Ekaterina KARAMFILOVA

Summary : There are many factors that can prevent a patient from being able to obtain the medicine they need, ranging from selective marketing decisions by companies to products being too expensive or pharmacy stock-outs. Because of national differences in health systems and market characteristics, access to medicine is not evenly distributed across the European Union. In response to observed problems with access to medicine, in 2017 the European Parliament adopted a resolution containing 58 recommendations for action to the European Commission and Member States. This In-Depth Analysis reviews the main actions taken at the Union level since then that could improve access to medicine. It also includes illustrative examples of actions taken by Member States and other actors. The analysis concludes that the Commission has proposed or taken a combination of legislative and non-legislative actions with the potential to improve access to medicine in the Union and beyond, but that it will take time for the effects of these to become clear.

Authors : Thyra de Jongh, Lennart Velten, Lonneke Schrijver

Summary : The New Circular Economy Action Plan is one of the main building blocks of the European Green Deal. It sets initiatives along the entire lifecycle of products with the aim to ensure that the resources used for their production, including the waste generated, are kept in the EU economy for as long as possible. At the same time, the circular economy policy aims at protecting the environment and empowering the consumers. Waste shipment within and outside the EU has a crucial role in achieving the EU circular economy objectives. At EU level, the transboundary movements of waste are governed by Regulation (EC) 1013/2006 on shipments of waste (WSR). However, the current design and implementation of the regulation suffer from deficiencies and thus challenge the achievement of the EU circular economy objectives. This Implementation Appraisal looks at the practical implementation of the WSR in light of the Commission proposal for a revision of the regulation expected in the second quarter of 2021.

Authors : Ekaterina KARAMFILOVA

Summary : “Agreements concluded by the Union are binding upon the institutions of the Union and on its Member States.” (Article 216(2) TFEU). According to the Case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), International law takes precedence over (secondary) EU law: “It should also be pointed out that, by virtue of Article 216(2) TFEU, where international agreements are concluded by the European Union they are binding upon its institutions and, consequently, they prevail over acts of the European Union (see, to this effect, Case C‑61/94 Commission v Germany [1996] ECR I‑3989, paragraph 52; Case C‑311/04 Algemene Scheeps Agentuur Dordrecht [2006] ECR I‑609, paragraph 25; Case C‑308/06 Intertanko and Others [2008] ECR I‑4057, paragraph 42; and Joined Cases C‑402/05 P and C‑415/05 P Kadi and Al Barakaat International Foundation v Council and Commission [2008] ECR I‑6351, paragraph 307)” . Arguably, acts adopted by bodies established by the EU-UK TCA could also enjoy primacy: “7 It follows [...] that decisions of the EEC-Turkey Association Council are measures adopted by a body provided for by the Agreement and empowered by the Contracting Parties to adopt such measures. 18 In so far as they implement the objectives set by the Agreement, such decisions are directly connected with the Agreement and, as a result of the second sentence of Article 22(1) thereof, have the effect of binding the Contracting Parties. 19 By virtue of the Agreement, the Contracting Parties agreed to be bound by such decisions and if those parties were to withdraw from that commitment, that would constitute a breach of the Agreement itself.

Authors : Andreas Huber at Al.

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : Air pollution is a cross-border problem with direct negative effects on health and the environment. It also has indirect but tangible adverse effects on economies and societies. With the aim of securing good air quality status for its citizens and the environment, the EU has established a policy framework that employs legal regulation as the main policy instrument. This European implementation assessment (EIA) presents findings on the implementation of three major pieces of EU legislation on air quality, namely the two Ambient Air Quality Directives and the Industrial Emissions Directive, and makes recommendations for policy action. In addition, the research paper annexed to this EIA maps and assesses the local policies designed and implemented by 10 EU agglomerations with the aim of tackling air pollution from relevant sources, and, in particular, from road transport. It also makes recommendations for policy action, some of which are relevant to any other EU zone/agglomeration affected by air pollution exceedances, irrespective of specific local conditions. Furthermore, the research paper studies the effects of the first wave of pandemic lock-down measures implemented in the same 10 EU agglomerations and their effects on concentrations of certain air pollutants (particularly harmful for health), and, on this basis, outlines lessons that could be applied in future policy-making on air quality at all levels of governance.

Authors : Ekaterina KARAMFILOVA

Summary : This study is about the effects of air pollution on health, notably COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc in many areas of the world. The infection spreads through person-to-person contact. Transmission and prognosis, once infected, are potentially influenced by many factors, including air pollution. Studies have suggested that air pollution increases the incidence and the severity of the disease. However, the current data are too limited to be certain. Especially the quantitative contribution of air pollution to the disease is still very uncertain.

Authors : Bert BRUNEKREEF et al.

Summary : Over the last decades, a variety of fatal infectious diseases have had zoonotic origins. The linkages between hosts, vectors, parasites and pathogens can be influenced by a multitude of factors, such as biodiversity, wildlife and land use. High levels of biodiversity may be a potential source of pathogen transmission, but biodiversity loss can also promote transmission by increasing the number of competent hosts for a pathogen. Biodiversity conservation reduces the risk of zoonotic diseases when it provides additional habitats for species and reduces the potential contact between wildlife, livestock and humans. Additionally, host and vector management is a viable option. Other crucial measures include the restriction and sanitary control of wildlife trade, while considering the needs of indigenous peoples and local communities. Each case requires an assessment of the best way to reduce risk while considering implications for other ecosystem functions or services. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI).

Authors : Frank VAN LANGEVELDE, Hugo René RIVERA MENDOZA, Kevin D. MATSON, Helen J. ESSER, Willem F. DE BOER, Stefan SCHINDLER

Summary : This briefing summarises presentations delivered by the invited experts during a remote webinar on "Mental health" organised on 10 November 2020 by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the ENVI committee.

Authors : MATTEO CIUCCI

Summary : Climate change health impacts are experienced through direct and indirect pathways. These can take the form of an increase in the frequency and/or severity of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, and storms which directly may impact health, resulting in heat-related mortality and morbidity, injury and trauma. Indirectly, climate change may impact health through loss of livelihoods, land and property and through interaction with environmental systems. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.

Authors : Maria NILSSON

Summary : There is mounting evidence for negative consequences of climate change on human health worldwide, from both direct and indirect effects, mediated by ecosystems and socioeconomic systems. The impacts are being experienced in the EU, and the effects of climate change on food systems are a critical part of the overall impacts on human and planetary health. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies at the request of the committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety.

Authors : Robin FEARS

Summary : On Thursday, 10 September 2020, the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies organised at the request of the ENVI committee a remote webinar on "An EU legal framework to halt and reverse deforestation". This briefing summarises the presentations delivered by the invited experts.

Authors : MATTEO CIUCCI

Summary : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Summary : The briefing presents specific green economic recovery measures that stabilise livelihoods, creates jobs and reduce biophysical impact. These measures are more effective, when accompanied by full carbon pricing, prioritizing investment in green infrastructure and innovation, phasing out of subsidies and tax exemptions for emissions-intensive activities, and promoting green finance. Although COVID-19 has reduced GHG emissions in 2020, the overall impact will be driven by investment choices. In the current economic climate, public investment is a key driver of the transition to a more sustainable economy.

Authors : Sigrid STAGL

Summary : As 13% of deaths in the EU 28 Member States (EU-28) were attributable to the environment in 2012,1 it is clear that the effects of climate change are having tangible consequences for the European population. Its pace and intensity could thus lead to increasing health risks accross the EU. Globally, temperatures have already risen by 1°C above pre-industrial levels and a temperature increase of more than 2°C would lead to even greater health risks, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and children. There is therefore an urgent need for integrated strategies for adaptation and mitigation. Adaptation is aimed at reducing the climate change’s negative effects as well as at taking advantage of any opportunities that it creates, whereas mitigation strategies’ objective is to tackle the cause of climate change while minimising its possible impacts and potentially offering health (co)benefits.

Authors : Hélène ROSSINOT

Summary : The aim of this briefing is to give an overview of positions the European Parliament has taken over the last twenty years that are relevant to the Farm to Fork strategy, the component of the European Green Deal that aims for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system. Despite it being a new strategy, most of its 27 actions are connected to already existing legislation and as such, Parliament has previously given its opinion on the subjects covered by the strategy. This briefing presents a short summary of Parliament’s most relevant positions in the past.

Authors : TIJMEN FERDINAND TUINSMA

Summary : This document provides links to all Briefings produced by the Policy Departments of the Directorate-General for Internal Policies and of the Directorate-General for External Policies of the European Parliament, with salient points and essential commitments made by the Vice-Presidents and Commissioners-designates at their respective hearings before the European Parliament, in September-November 2019 and in October 2020. For an exhaustive list of all commitments made and positions taken by the candidates, the full verbatim report of each public hearing is available on the dedicated hearings website of the European Parliament, as are the written questions and answers.

Summary : At the 72th session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) the initial International Maritime Organization (IMO) strategy was agreed, which aims for emissions from international shipping to peak as soon as possible and to reduce the total annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels and in line with the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement. A revised IMO strategy is scheduled to be approved by 2023 at MEPC80. A list of candidate short, medium and long-term measures are included within the initial IMO strategy in order to achieve the 2050 GHG emissions reduction target. However it will only be decided up until 2023 which candidate short-term measures will be adopted (based on timeframe agreed at MEPC73) with the medium and long-term candidate measures to be adopted only after 2023 and 2030 respectively.

Authors : Sean Healy

Summary : The study analyses the European Parliament’s (EP) carbon footprint in the context of the recent EP resolutions, in which it declared a climate emergency in Europe and requested the development of a strategy to become itself carbon-neutral by 2030. The analysis takes into account the various sources contributing to the EP’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including those related to its function in three different sites and the traveling of its Members and staff. This document was prepared by the Policy Department for Economic, Scientific and Quality of Life Policies, and the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) Unit at the request of the committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI).

Authors : Georgios AMANATIDIS, Srdan RANDIC