Rapporteur Talks

On 29 June 2023, the EU Regulation on deforestation-free products entered into force. The main driver of the Regulation is the expansion of agricultural land that is linked to the production of commodities like soy, beef, palm oil, wood, cocoa, coffee, rubber and some of their derived products.

Under the Regulation, any operator or trader who places these commodities on the EU market, or exports from it, must be able to prove that the products do not originate from recently deforested land or have contributed to forest degradation.

One of the categories affected by the regulation is that of smallholders, important stakeholders in the production value chain. According to the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), smallholders account for about 41% and 27% of total oil palm planted areas in Indonesia and Malaysia, respectively, and for about 35% - 40% of the global production of palm oil.

As the supply chain of independent smallholders is generally informal and there is often minimal documentation of transactions between the smallholder and other stakeholders, the CPOPC believes there is a risk that the Regulation will further exclude palm oil smallholders from the supply chains to Europe.

Re-watch the Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss the EU Regulation on deforestation-free products, and particularly its impact on smallholders. Questions to be discussed include:

- What is the current state of play of the implementation of the European Union Regulation on Deforestation (EUDR) across EU Member States? What is the level of readiness in the implementation of EUDR?
- What steps are necessary from both the EU and the producing countries to ensure the successful implementation of the EUDR from a multilateral perspective?
- How can cooperation among stakeholders be sustained in the coming months and years to support the EUDR?
- What challenges and potential impacts does the EUDR pose for smallholder farmers, and how can we ensure that they are not left behind?
- What financial mechanisms could be established to provide support for smallholders in complying with the EUDR?
- How can governments and private companies be encouraged to invest in capacity-building for smallholders, to help them comply with the EUDR?

Le Plan Stratégique National français (PSN) de la nouvelle Politique Agricole Commune (PAC) est entré en vigueur en janvier 2023. Il convient de faire le point sur la situation en France et en Europe.

Dans un contexte de dégradation environnementale alarmant, la PAC et les législations européennes en cours de négociation ont pour but d’atteindre les objectifs du Pacte vert pour l’Europe. Mais avec la guerre en Ukraine, l’augmentation des coûts de production et les évènements climatiques extrêmes, un grand nombre d’États membres, dont la France, se sont vus octroyer des dérogations sur les mesures environnementales, et comptent bien les renouveler en 2024.

Plus largement, la PAC est au cœur de cette articulation entre compétitivité, souveraineté alimentaire et respect des objectifs environnementaux. De même, tandis que la France a dévoilé son Pacte-loi d’orientation et d’avenir agricoles (PLOAA) pour renouveler les générations d’agriculteurs, la PAC doit pouvoir répondre à ce défi immense, à la fois français et européen.

Réécoutez cette conférence virtuelle organisée par Euractiv qui abordait les questions suivantes :

- Quel premier bilan peut-on faire du PSN français, près d’un an après la mise en place de la nouvelle PAC (2023 - 2027) ?

- La trajectoire de la PAC est-elle compatible avec les objectifs du Pacte vert pour l’Europe ?

- Comment la PAC peut-elle favoriser le renouvellement des générations d'agriculteurs ?

- Le PSN français doit-il être amendé en 2024, compte tenu des nouvelles législations européennes en cours de négociations ?

Cancer concerns us all in various ways, and patients with haematological malignancies, which are cancers that originate in the blood-forming tissue, face specific challenges. According to the European Commission, in 2020 alone, 2.7 million individuals in the European Union received a cancer diagnosis, and 1.3 million lives were lost to the disease. For patients with haematological malignancies, expert treatment is crucial due to the unique nature of their diagnosis.

In 2021, recognising the need for comprehensive cancer care, the European Union introduced the Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, aiming to address the entire cancer pathway. This plan aims to tackle the challenges faced by patients with haematological malignancies, among others, through its four primary areas of action: prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and improving the quality of life for cancer patients and survivors.

To address the specific needs of patients with haematological malignancies, the Europe's Beating Cancer Plan includes flagship initiatives. One of them (Flagship 5) aims to establish an EU Network by 2025, connecting recognised National Comprehensive Cancer Centres in every Member State. These centres have the potential to significantly enhance the assistance provided to cancer patients by facilitating the adoption of quality-assured diagnosis and treatment approaches and promoting collaboration across borders. By fostering the establishment of these specialised centres, the plan strives to improve the standard of care received by patients with haematological malignancies and reduce healthcare disparities that may exist across Member States.

Relisten to Euractiv's Hybrid Conference to discuss the Europe's Beating Cancer Plan and how the quality of cancer care for patients with haematological malignancies can be improved. Questions to be discussed include:

- What are the challenges faced by patients with hematological malignancies and how is the Europe's Beating Cancer Plan addressing them?
- Due to the nature of hematological diseases there are no specific screening/preventive mechanisms in place. What policies are needed to improve care of hematological diseases in the EU and in Member States?
- What is the role of stakeholders to close the gap for proper diagnosis and access to adequate and timely treatments?

District heating networks – hot water pipes running below the ground – supply millions of homes in cities across Europe, representing about 10% of the EU’s heat market. Recent global events, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, have put the spotlight on the importance of the security of heat supply for those networks, and the importance of investments needed in the sector in order to meet EU climate goals.

While the broader process of transformation of the large-scale district heating sector has accelerated in recent years, there are still questions on the trajectory of these changes. For example, from the industry’s perspective, any provision that conditions the applicability of a particular technology or fuel has a huge impact on the overall investment processes carried out within individual district heating systems.

According to a report conducted by the Polish Association of Professional Combined Heat and Power Plants (PTEZ), the next challenge for effective fulfilment of the decarbonization goals under the “Fit for 55” Package will be to implement the provisions of the most relevant directives into national law. This is particularly important for a country such as Poland, where the market for district heating systems is one of the largest in the EU, mainly due to climatic conditions in correlation with high urbanization.

Listen to Euractiv's Hybrid Conference to discuss district heating and its role in helping to meet EU’s ambitious climate goals. Questions to be discussed include:

- How is the “Fit for 55” Package concretely addressing district heating?
- What are the costs foreseen for the transformation of the sector? And what are the scenarios and technology options for the transformation of district heating systems of different sizes?
- What is the timeline for the implementation of the directives under “Fit for 55”? How are different Member States planning to incorporate the regulations into national legislation?

In 2022, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a directive on corporate sustainability due diligence, aimed at creating more responsible corporate behavior's throughout global value chains. The Commission argues that these new rules will bring certainty and a level playing field for the business sector, while there will be more transparency for consumers and investors.

The proposed directive aims to establish a mandatory due diligence framework for EU-based companies and their supply chains to identify, prevent, and mitigate adverse human rights, environmental impacts. The directive is expected to cover a wide range of issues. However, there are ongoing discussions about what should be covered in the directive, the size requirements of the companies that should be included, and the impact it can have on SMEs.

With trialogue negotiations set to begin in the coming months, some stakeholders argue that companies need more clarity regarding the standards and duties. Having clearer assessment standards will help collect relevant data from the companies that would be subjected to the new regulations. To achieve this, stakeholders also emphasize the need for an independent level playing field for states and companies, and the importance of exchanging good practices with global actors, such as those regarding sustainable value chain management.

Listen to Euractiv's Hybrid Conference to discuss the implications of the corporate sustainability due diligence directive. How can clear standards help collect the most relevant data from companies? And how can harmonious processes be enforced and lead to a unified global sustainability framework?

In March 2023, the European Commission put forward its Recommendation on Energy Storage, underpinning a decarbonised and secure EU energy system. As Europe strives to integrate weather dependent energy sources, the role of energy storage solutions becomes important in maintaining grid stability and meeting energy demand efficiently.

Energy storage is a crucial component of Europe's transition to a sustainable energy future. It allows us to capture excess energy from intermittent renewable sources and store it for use when demand is high or renewable generation is low. By providing a reliable and stable power supply, energy storage enhances grid resilience, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and helps mitigate climate change.

Advancements in battery technologies, pumped hydro storage, and other innovative solutions are driving efficiency gains and cost reductions, making energy storage increasingly accessible and impactful. With the continued development and deployment of energy storage systems, energy storage can unlock the full potential of renewable energy, paving the way towards a cleaner, greener, and a more resilient energy landscape.

Relisten this EURACTIV Conference to discuss the potential of energy storage in securing a sustainable future. Questions included:

- What are the key challenges and opportunities in advancing energy storage technologies for a sustainable energy future?
- What financing and support mechanisms are necessary for driving the development and widespread adoption of energy storage technologies?
- How can collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders accelerate the implementation of energy storage?

Hydrogen will play a key role in Europe’s transition to a sustainable and decarbonised future. It has great potential to provide flexibility and achieve energy system integration whilst supporting the decarbonisation of energy, industry and mobility. The EU Hydrogen Strategy, complemented by the REPowerEU plan, sets goals to import and produce millions of tons of hydrogen by 2030. These initiatives aim to drive the adoption of clean hydrogen solutions in energy-intensive industries and hard-to-decarbonise sectors. At the same time, the legislative process for the Hydrogen and Decarbonised Gas Market Package will determine the regulatory framework in which the hydrogen value chain will develop.

To ensure a smooth and successful transition, from conceptual ideas to the practical implementation of decarbonisation with hydrogen technologies, it is important to clarify the rules for the hydrogen value chain and to define relevant support schemes for the nascent market.

Rewatch this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to discuss the challenges in achieving a streamlined implementation of hydrogen initiatives in the EU, and to identify strategies to overcome barriers. Questions  included:

-What are the main obstacles facing the transition from ideas to implementation within the hydrogen value chain, and how can they be effectively addressed?

-How can the regulatory framework for hydrogen infrastructure help or hinder the development of the hydrogen value chain?

-Which Member States and EU-level strategies and best practices can be shared to streamline the implementation process and drive the development of hydrogen projects?

In 2023, the European Commission proposed initiatives like the Gigabit Infrastructure Act, Public Consultation on Future Networks and Business Models for Electronic Communications, and the Call for Evidence on Virtual Worlds. These initiatives aim to improve connectivity policy frameworks and enhance services in Europe.

The European Commission's 2030 Digital Decade Targets aim to ensure that every EU household has access to a fixed gigabit network, and that 5G coverage extends to all populated areas by 2030. Achieving these goals requires the rapid deployment of high-capacity networks (VHCN). According to the European Parliament, a high-quality digital infrastructure based on such high-capacity networks would underpin almost all sectors of a modern and innovative economy.

The Gigabit Infrastructure Act aims at facilitating and stimulating the provision of VHCN. It promotes the joint use of existing infrastructure and enables more efficient deployment of new infrastructure, reducing the time and cost involved in rolling out these networks.

According to industry stakeholders, with its rapid adoption and efforts to preserve national best practices, operators can gain clarity and more timely access to publicly-owned network and non-network facilities, which are increasingly important for 5G.

Rewatch this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss the foundation that supports Europe’s digital ecosystem. Questions included:

- To what extent can the EU ensure that the legislation is harmonised while preserving existing best practices?
- How can the EU institutions and regulators surmount the obstacles to harmonising the legislation across the EU 27?
- What steps can policymakers take to safeguard the principle of technology neutrality in the Regulation, in line with the technologically neutral approach taken in the Digital Decade Policy Programme?
- How can the EU and Member States strike the right balance between encouraging private investment and leveraging public funding or state aid?

The year 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a massive global infrastructure and development project initiated by the Chinese government. Over the past decade, the BRI has reshaped the global economic and geopolitical landscape, fostering connectivity, trade, and cooperation among nations.

Connectivity and infrastructure development has been enhanced across continents. The initiative has seen the construction of a vast network of roads, railways, ports, and other infrastructure projects that have significantly improved transportation and trade links between China and participating countries. These developments have facilitated the flow of goods, capital, and ideas, stimulating economic growth in various regions. Knowledge-sharing, cultural exchanges, mutual understanding, and diplomatic ties among nations have also been strengthened.

The 10th anniversary of the BRI also provides an opportunity to reflect on its future prospects. As the world recovers from the global pandemic and focuses on sustainable development, the BRI can play an important role in promoting green and inclusive growth. In particular, by incorporating environmental and social considerations into project planning and implementation.

Enhancing digital connectivity and promoting innovation and technology transfer can be instrumental in fostering future economic and social progress in participating countries.

Rewatch this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to discuss the Belt and Road Initiative and its future path. Questions included:
- What experience and lessons can be learnt from the first 10 years of BRI?
- What are the future prospects of this ambitious endeavour?
- What could be the avenues for deeper cooperation?

Shifting to a circular economy model is perceived as crucial for the European Union to achieve its goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050. A circular economy model implements material efficiency strategies throughout the value chain, from product design and use, longevity and durability, to mechanisms that enable proper separation of materials at the end-of-life phase, allowing for their recirculation.

This sustainable model not only reduces environmental pressures and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions but also stimulates economic growth, fosters innovation and competitiveness, boosts employment, reduces material costs and consumer expenses, and reduces dependencies on imports. Failing to adopt circular practices could not only jeopardise the EU's position as a frontrunner in the global climate fight, but also harm the competitiveness of European industries.

Despite efforts made as part of the 2020 ‘Circular economy action plan’, EU-level policy governing European industry has yet to satisfy climate organisations, who argue that the full potential of the EU in regulating the circular economy shift has not yet been utilised. As such, 2024’s new European Commission and Parliament provides a fresh opportunity to renew efforts towards circular economies, and address the risks associated with not adopting circular practices, especially concerning material extraction.

Sectors such as the automotive and textile industry have significant potential for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. These sectors are set to be a focus of these renewed efforts.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out more about the potential of a circular EU economy, and how making this shift could contribute to a climate-neutral Europe. Addressed questions included:

- What are the opportunities for climate and circular economy synergies broadly, and across the key sectors of transport and textiles?

- How can the new Commission and Parliament in 2024 be leveraged to renew the push towards circular economies?

- What are the risks of not going circular, especially regarding material extraction?