Cuardaigh

Clean technologies are at the forefront of the EU's ambition to pursue both decarbonisation and industrial competitiveness. The global clean tech market is expected to triple by 2035, covering sectors such as solar, wind, batteries, heat pumps and electrolysers for the production of hydrogen. While the roll-out of clean technologies is increasing in the EU, its global market share is falling and manufacturing is lagging behind. This is due to a combination of factors, such as high energy prices, ...

During its January session, Parliament is due to debate a Commission statement on the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). This conference concluded in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 13 December 2024, following two weeks of negotiations. A significant outcome of the conference was the commitment to support financially land restoration and drought resilience initiatives. However, it failed to establish a legally binding global framework ...

For the European Union to compete globally while continuing to ensure progress in environmental, social and fundamental rights, more strategic and collective action is imperative. In a world where some leading global businesses have a market capitalisation of more than €3 trillion, an integrated economic, financial and fiscal policy framework is needed to encourage innovation and growth, including for successful SMEs. As the recent Letta and Draghi reports highlight, this requires clear political ...

This is the ninth edition of an annual EPRS publication aimed at identifying and framing some of the key issues and policy areas that have the potential to feature prominently in public debate and on the political agenda of the European Union over the coming year. The topics analysed encompass economic productivity, the 2040 climate target, economic security, investment capacity, the EU's future finances, electric vehicles, competitiveness in artificial intelligence, European defence, migrant return ...

As required by EU water legislation, and in line with the European Green Deal's zero pollution ambition, on 26 October 2022 the European Commission tabled a proposal to revise the lists of surface water and groundwater pollutants that need to be monitored and controlled for the purpose of protecting EU freshwater bodies and the associated environmental quality standards. The proposal also seeks to remedy shortcomings identified in the current framework as regards chemical pollution in waters, and ...

Spain aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 (see trajectory in Figure 1). In 2023, Spain accounted for 8.2 % of the EU's net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieved a net emissions reduction of 39.3 % in the years 2005 to 2023, above the EU average reduction of 30.5 %. During the same period, the country reduced emissions covered by the EU emissions trading system (ETS) by 57.5 %. Spain's land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector has consistently performed as a carbon sink, ...

Belgium aims to reach climate neutrality by 2050 (see trajectory in Figure 1). In 2023, Belgium accounted for 3.5 % of the EU's net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reduced its net emissions by 29.3 % between 2005 and 2023, just below the EU average reduction of 30.5 % over the same period. Also during that period, the country reduced emissions covered by the EU emissions trading system (ETS) by 46.7 %. Belgium's land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector has consistently performed ...

Poland does not have a national climate law or a strategy to become climate-neutral. However, it is bound by the European Climate Law and other EU legislation that obliges Member States to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in some sectors. Poland accounts for 10.7 % of the EU's net GHG emissions, and achieved a net emissions reduction of 9.3 % in the years 2005 to 2023 – significantly lower than the EU average of 30.5 % over the same period (Figure 1). Emissions under the EU emissions trading ...

France is legally bound to reach climate neutrality by 2050. In 2023, the country accounted for 12.4 % of the EU's net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieved a net emissions reduction of 28.1 % compared with 2005. Between 2005 and 2023, France's total emissions decreased by 31.2 %, but its carbon sink in the land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector declined by more than half (Figure 1). While the emissions from sectors under the EU emissions trading system (ETS) decreased by 52.3 ...

Denmark is legally bound to reach climate neutrality by 2050 (see trajectory in Figure 1) and deliver a 70 % greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction by 2030 compared with 1990. Denmark accounts for 1.4 % of the EU's net GHG emissions, and achieved a net emissions reduction of 44.7 % from 2005 to 2023, greater than the 30.5 % EU average reduction over the same period. Emissions from sectors under the EU emissions trading system (ETS) were more than halved (-66 %). Denmark's land use, land-use change ...