European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
Economic and Social Policies
The rise of digital health technologies during the pandemic
Coronavirus has accelerated the rise of digital health, a broad concept that includes solutions for telemedicine and teleconsultation, remote monitoring, connected devices, digital health platforms and health apps. Continue reading
The EU strategic autonomy debate [What Think Tanks are thinking]
An increasing number of politicians and analysts argue that the European Union should boost its ‘strategic autonomy’ and/or develop a higher degree of ‘European sovereignty’. Continue reading
Outcome of the video-conferences of EU leaders on 25 March 2021
Due to the worsening epidemiological situation, EU leaders met on 25 March 2021 in a series of video-conferences instead of a two-day physical meeting. Continue reading
Demographic outlook for the European Union 2021
The impact of demography on economic, social and environmental developments in the world is undeniable. According to the latest statistical data, population trends that were already present in the EU before 2019, continued to persist. Continue reading
Outlook for the meetings of EU leaders on 25-26 March 2021
One year after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the fight against the virus will again top the agenda of the European Council meeting on 25-26 March 2021. Continue reading
EU climate action policy: Responding to the global emergency
The European Green Deal aims at making the European Union (EU) climate-neutral by 2050, a target supported by all EU institutions. Continue reading
Living in the EU: Circular economy
Circular economy is a production and consumption model that involves reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products to keep materials within the economy. Continue reading
Digital services act [EU Legislation in Progress]
The rules governing the provision of digital products and services in the EU have remained largely unchanged since the adoption of the e-Commerce Directive in 2000, while digital technologies and business models continue to evolve rapidly and new societal challenges are emerging, such as the spread of counterfeit goods, hate speech and disinformation online. Continue reading
What if we could engineer the planet to help fight climate change? [Science and Technology podcast]
Efforts to curb carbon emissions are falling short. As climate change impacts become all too clear, geoengineering is again in the spotlight. Continue reading
Green and sustainable finance [Policy Podcast]
The dramatic consequences of climate change and environmental degradation have brought the need for a more sustainable economy to the top of the agenda. Continue reading
Covid-19: The need for a gendered response
In the midst of the current pandemic, adopting a gender perspective may seem a secondary concern. However, pandemics are known to affect women and men differently, making it essential to recognise these differences in order to understand the impacts on individuals and communities and to respond effectively and equitably. Continue reading
Outcome of the European Council video-conference of 25 February 2021
For the tenth time since the outbreak of the coronavirus crisis, the European Council met by video-conference, however this time in two separate sessions. Continue reading
Revision of the TEN-E Regulation: EU guidelines for new energy infrastructure [EU Legislation in Progress]
On 15 December 2020, the European Commission adopted a proposal to revise the 2013 regulation on trans-European networks in energy (TEN-E). Continue reading
New EU regulatory framework for batteries: Setting sustainability requirements [EU Legislation in Progress]
Given the important role they play in the rollout of zero-emission mobility and the storage of intermittent renewable energy, batteries are a crucial element in the EU’s transition to a climate neutral economy. Continue reading
The NIS2 Directive: A high common level of cybersecurity in the EU [EU Legislation in Progress]
The Network and Information Security (NIS) Directive is the first piece of EU-wide legislation on cybersecurity, and its specific aim was to achieve a high common level of cybersecurity across the Member States. Continue reading
EU hydrogen policy: Hydrogen as an energy carrier for a climate-neutral economy
Research and industrial innovation in hydrogen applications is an EU priority and receives substantial EU funding through the research framework programmes. Continue reading
Advances in administrative cooperation in the field of taxation [EU Legislation in Progress]
The digitalisation of the economy opens the door to new cross-border economic activities that make it possible to under-report income and under-pay tax. Continue reading
Recovery and Resilience Facility [EU Legislation in Progress]
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, on 28 May 2020 the Commission adopted a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Recovery and Resilience Facility (the Facility). Continue reading
Coronavirus: Uncertainty and discontent [What Think Tanks are thinking]
As the latest wave of the coronavirus pandemic intensifies and some highly infectious new mutations of the virus spread, a growing number of countries have increased restrictions on travel and some lockdowns have been intensified. Continue reading
Access to justice in environmental matters: Amending the Aarhus Regulation [EU Legislation in Progress]
The European Union is party to the Aarhus Convention on access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters. Continue reading
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