Rapporteur Talks

On 24 September, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) will unveil their new study showing the availability of community and biodiversity friendly land in Europe for achieving renewable energy targets. This study is a critical step toward balancing our energy needs with conservation efforts.

The revised Renewable Energy Directive mandates European countries to conduct national renewable energy spatial mapping within a year. By February 2026, they must designate Renewable Acceleration Areas. The timeline is tight, but it’s essential to approach this exercise mindfully, considering both the biodiversity and community values. But countries need to go smart to go fast.

TNC's new study "Land use and Europe’s renewable energy transition: identifying low-conflict areas for wind and solar development" reveals that Europe has enough low-conflict land to achieve 45% of renewables by 2030. However, it will not happen on its own – achieving this goal requires conscious adoption of smart siting practices as an imperative in the implementation. The launch event will bring together energy, biodiversity and social science experts. They will discuss how smart siting measures can accelerate sustainable and equitable renewable energy deployment, to achieve the required speed and scale of energy transition to tackle climate change.

Europe’s renewables potential can be unlocked through thoughtful planning, balancing energy needs with environmental stewardship. Smart siting is the key to achieving our renewable energy goals while safeguarding our natural heritage and communities.

Organised by: The Nature Conservancy
Media Partner: Euractiv

Climate change is increasingly causing environmental damage and disturbing biodiversity across Europe. This situation calls for greater initiatives to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and industry’s carbon footprint.

In this context, the European Commission approved a new legislation on environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings in February 2024. These scores serve as an informational tool for companies to assess their risks and impacts on people and the environment. The legislation aims to bolster investor’s confidence in sustainable products, while encouraging companies to explore carbon removal projects in Europe.

As such, carbon and biodiversity credits can also play a role in corporate environmental strategies. These credits can incentivise companies to compensate for their carbon footprint through carbon removal projects, such as forest conservation and ecosystem restoration projects.

Some stakeholders believe that ESG ratings can benefit carbon removal companies. However, some are concerned about companies claiming that they are reducing their carbon emissions by purchasing carbon credits, and about a lack of transparency on ESG ratings methodology and data sources. To address those inconsistencies, the Commission presented a new
‘Proposal for regulation on transparency and integrity of ESG rating activities.’

Listen to this Euractiv Virtual Conference to discuss the ESG legislation and its implications for carbon removal projects in Europe. Questions to be addressed include:

· How can the ESG legislation impact companies’ investment in carbon removal projects in Europe? What are the opportunities for companies specialised in carbon removal?
· How can corporations integrate carbon and biodiversity credits into their environmental strategies?
· What are the potential implications of higher carbon credits price on companies’ costs and their products?
· How effective is the new proposal on transparency and regulation on ESG ratings in ensuring companies reduce their carbon emissions?

Life Terra is co-financed by the European Commission through the LIFE Programme (LIFE19 CCM/NL/001200).

The content of this publication represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The Agency does not accept any responsibility for use that may be made of the information it contains.

To explain what the ENEFIRST Plus project is, the project’s senior expert Jean-Sébastien Broc starts by outlining what it isn’t: While it all revolves around promoting energy efficiency, that does not mean achieving efficiency at all costs.

Joined in this podcast by Managing Director and Chairperson Vlasios Oikonomou, the two colleagues discuss the main considerations that embody the spirit of the EU’s Energy Efficiency First principle. They also introduce a core part of their project which involves 8 case studies in four different EU countries – Italy, Poland, Greece, and Croatia.

Quantum technologies are one of the emerging technologies deemed by experts to have the potential to radically transform the world. Quantum opens possibilities to process data that are too complex for today’s fastest computers. As a result, quantum technologies have strategic importance for the scientific and industrial competitiveness of the EU, as well as for security and defence investments.

As quantum is a highly strategic field, all major world regions are investing in it. For example, China has committed to invest around $15 billion, while the US has pledged $5 billion in the next decade. On the other hand, the EU has so far committed around $8 billion (around €7.5 billion).

The EU’s Digital Decade strategy aims for Europe to have its first supercomputer with quantum acceleration by 2025, paving the way to being at the cutting edge of quantum capabilities by 2030.
The European Chips Act also includes measures to foster the low-cost, high-volume manufacturing of quantum chips in the EU, so that they can power a whole range of innovative quantum devices.
Aiming to put Europe at the forefront of developing quantum technologies, the EU has already invested €1 billion in its Quantum Technologies Flagship, a long-term research and innovation initiative launched in 2018.

However, quantum technologies can also pose threats without responsible and sensible governance.

Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss the opportunities and challenges of quantum technologies for the EU. Questions to be addressed include:

- How can the EU compete at a global level when it comes to developing, deploying, and regulating quantum technologies responsibly?
- What role can quantum technologies play in tackling global challenges, including climate change, disease, poverty?
- What policy developments could be expected in the next EU mandate to ensure new technologies are deployed in the most efficient and secure manner?
- What is needed for sensible governance of quantum technologies, given the limited knowledge and understanding we have so far about quantum?

The offshore wind potential in the Baltic Sea region is estimated to be close to 100 GW by 2050. The first Baltic offshore projects will come online in the next few years and will gradually contribute to the decarbonisation of the Baltic energy systems. However, in order to take full advantage of the favourable geographical conditions in the Baltic Sea region and to meet the ambitious EU climate targets, it is important to keep pace with the next projects in the pipeline.

Two important documents adopted by the European Commission in the final phase of the last political term - the Grid Action Plan and the European Wind Power Package – can act as a tailwind for the offshore wind projects. However, both need to be translated into legislation and need to be fully implemented.

This conference will take stock of the current state of offshore wind development in the Baltic Sea region two years after the historic Marienborg Declaration. It will discuss how policy makers can help project developers to implement ambitious offshore plans in the region by addressing the following issues:

1. What kind of regulatory framework at EU and Member State level is needed for existing and new offshore projects?

2. What incentives are needed to enable new offshore investment and help the EU meet its targets?

3. How can European industry contribute to this task for the benefit of the European economy and citizens?

In this Policy Triangle, supported by Humane Society International/Europe, we delve into the state of farm animal welfare in the EU.

The European Commission proposed an overhaul of EU rules for protecting animals in transport and introduced new regulations on the welfare and traceability of dogs and cats in December 2023. However, the rules regarding the welfare of farm animals have not been updated in over 20 years.

We’re thrilled to host three experts and hear their thoughts on this topic: Frank Verdonck from the European Food Safety Authority, Ana Granados Chapatte from the European Forum of Farm Animal Breeders, and Dr Joanna Swabe from Humane Society International/Europe.

In recent years, the relationship between the EU and Kazakhstan has evolved significantly, marked by a growing emphasis on economic cooperation, political dialogue, and partnerships in various fields, including trade and agriculture.

Economic cooperation, focused on trade and investment, has been a longstanding cornerstone of EU-Kazakhstan relations. Kazakhstan's natural resources, particularly oil, gas, and minerals, have attracted European companies seeking access to energy markets and investment opportunities. The EU has also been an important market for Kazakh exports, notably oil, metals, and agricultural products.

With regards to agricultural products, EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski visited Kazakhstan from 27-31 May 2024, accompanied by a large business delegation of senior representatives from the EU agri-food sector. The purpose of the visit was to facilitate European agricultural food and beverage exports to Kazakhstan and expand their presence in the Central Asian markets.

Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss EU-Kazakh relations and the drivers for increased economic and trade cooperation.

Questions to be discussed include:
- Further to May's high-level EU delegation visit to Kazakhstan, what are the next steps in facilitating European agricultural trade with the country and the wider region?
- What will be the wider impact of the agri-led mission to Kazakhstan? Will it lead to an expansion of trade in other sectors?
- Will enhanced EU-Kazakh economic cooperation improve Kazakhstan's ability to trade more globally?
- How can the EU’s focus on sustainable development and green technologies create opportunities for further economic collaboration?
- What will the priorities of EU-Kazakh cooperation be following the June 2024 EU elections?

The European Parliament elections are fast approaching, and agrifood policies have taken the spotlight following a wave of protests and demonstrations across the EU in recent months. One common concern expressed by farmers across the bloc is the level of bureaucracy within the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The current CAP, covering 2023 to 2027, saw a significant push towards greener policies, with a strong focus on environmental requirements, specifically, increased environmental conditionality. However, following the protests, the European Commission has made proposals to appeal to farmers, with many of these proposals focusing on environmental matters.

‘Good agricultural and environmental conditions’ (GAEC) have been relaxed to ease the administrative burden on farmers, providing Member States with more flexibility in policy implementation. Furthermore, some policies on this mandate’s agenda have been scrapped, such as the pesticide regulation (SUR).

Striking a balance between the needs of farmers and sustainability remains a significant challenge that will likely define the next Commission mandate.

As various political parties release their election manifestos, they are including action plans on agrifood policy for the years ahead.

Listen to this Euractiv Virtual Conference to discuss the new legislative agenda for 2024 to 2029 and what changes are foreseen for the agrifood sector.

Questions to be discussed include:

- What proposals have been made, adapted, or withdrawn so far?
- What will the priorities be for the agrifood sector in the new Commission mandate, particularly for CAP?
- How will the outcome of the elections impact future agrifood policies?
- How will policymakers strike a balance between sustainability and the needs of farmers?

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The European Union stands as a leader in global efforts to combat climate change, driven by a commitment to secure a sustainable future for all. At the heart of EU climate action lies the European Green Deal, a framework for transforming the EU into a carbon-neutral and circular economy by 2050.

The European Commission set different milestones that are essential to achieve in order to reach the climate-neutral economy objective by 2050. In that context, the 2030 climate and energy framework sets different key targets for the year 2030, notably in terms of emission reductions, the share for renewable energy, and improvement in energy efficiency. Achieving the EU's long-term climate objectives depends on the successful implementation of the 2030 framework.

Among the challenges, a successful transition needs to go hand in hand with economic growth, competitiveness and security of supply, and will also depend on public acceptance. In that context, the next European Commission will have a crucial role to play in setting a regulatory framework while ensuring sustainable growth for all.

Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss the way forward for a successful transition and the next steps to achieve the EU’s climate goals. Questions to be addressed include:

- What are the main challenges the EU faces in meeting its objectives, and how does it plan to address them?
- What will be the key priorities for the next European Commission to achieve the EU’s climate goals?
- What role does innovation play in achieving the EU's climate goals?
- What are the strategies to ensure a just transition for all communities and sectors affected by the shift towards a sustainable economy?

Regional revitalization – driven by green policies and technological advancements – is a key priority across Europe, and it is clear that this transformation is most urgent in rural, post- industrial, and suburban areas adjacent to major cities.

The role of large companies that operate in these areas cannot be overstated. Their contributions, spanning job creation, upskilling of local workforces, and community investments, play an important role in transforming these areas. Moreover, private sector initiatives can serve as a model for a pan-EU strategy that would breathe new life into these areas.

“Regional Revitalization: The Transformative Power of Investment in Rural and Post-Industrial
Areas Across Europe” will highlight the experiences of these companies and serve as a platform to discuss effective models that EU leaders can look to when navigating regional revitalization. The event will feature insights from experts through roundtable discussions on a variety of topics, such as the current status of post-industrial regions in Europe, the EU's perspective on job creation and economic impact that results from re-industrialization, and shared experiences of revitalizing rural and post-industrial regions.

Panels will include representatives and experts from various sectors, including distinguished figures from various European institutions. Professionals from key industries such as automotive, food, and logistics will also share their perspectives and experiences on how private sector companies can play a crucial role in boosting local economies across European regions.