Rapporteur Talks

In October 2020, the European Commission adopted its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS). The CSS is part of the EU’s zero pollution ambition – a key commitment of the European Green Deal. The EU’s chemicals strategy aims to better protect citizens and the environment, and boost innovation for safe and sustainable chemicals.

The significance of this strategy is underscored by the fact that 84% of Europeans are worried about the impact of chemicals present in everyday products on their health, and 90% are worried about their impact on the environment. Compounding these concerns, global chemical production is expected to double by 2030, increasing the already widespread usage of chemicals, including in consumer products.

To work towards the objectives of the EU's chemicals strategy, a reform of REACH was also announced. With respect to risk management, the Commission proposed to ban the most harmful chemicals - namely chemical substances meeting specific hazards criteria - in consumer products, allowing those chemicals only where their use is considered essential. This is referred to as the Essential Use Concept (EUC).

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to learn more about the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) and the definition and application of the Essential Use Concept (EUC). Has the CSS been successful in its ambitions so far, particularly concerning the European Green Deal? What impact could the EUC have on innovation, better regulation and wider policy goals?

In November 2022, the European Commission proposed to revise the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD), with the idea of reducing the negative environmental impacts of packaging and packaging waste, while improving the functioning of the internal market.

This revision aims to prevent the generation of packaging waste, reduce its quantity, and promote reuse and refill. It also aims to ensure that all packaging on the EU market will be recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030, while increasing the use of recycled plastics in packaging.

It additionally proposes some key measures to bring about change. One of these measures focuses on proposing targets for packaging waste reduction at the Member State level, and mandatory reuse targets for economic operators for selected packaging groups.

According to some stakeholders, there are certain aspects of the proposed revision that require further elaboration to ensure effective implementation. They consider that reuse and recycling should be complementary and reuse targets should be realistic and positive for the environment, society, and economy. Furthermore they argue that waste prevention measures are essential, while market restrictions should be evaluated to ensure they do not increase the environmental impact and food waste.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to learn about the proposed revision to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive. How can it be fit for all? And how can the key measures be achieved in a way that fits the entire value chain?

With the aim to become carbon neutral by 2050, the European Commission estimates that gaseous fuels such as hydrogen will make up a fifth of final energy consumption in the EU. By 2030, hydrogen is expected to become widely used in Europe and a hydrogen market will emerge.

Hydrogen is a strategic sector for the decarbonisation and strengthening of Europe’s energy resilience and autonomy. As such, new infrastructure for its transmission and consumption throughout the EU is being planned and developed. However, building infrastructure requires a supportive framework allowing for forward planning and tailored financing mechanisms.

One major project that is being rolled out is H2Med, officially announced by France, Spain and Portugal in December 2022 with the support of the European Commission. In January 2023, Germany announced its willingness to join the project too. Relying on existing infrastructure and new pipelines, H2Med will provide a hydrogen corridor stretching from Portugal and Spain through France towards Germany and other European countries. H2Med will be able to transport around two million tonnes of hydrogen to France each year, accounting for 10% of the EU's estimated hydrogen needs.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to learn about the potential of a European hydrogen corridor stretching from South-Western to Central Europe and the challenges and opportunities of a European hydrogen backbone. What would the infrastructure need to connect supply with demand in the most efficient manner? How can the H2Med project contribute to RePowerEU’s objectives of decarbonisation, building energy security and reindustrialisation? And what are the implications for the entire value chain of hydrogen production, consumption and transportation?

Illicit trade is a growing concern in Europe. Over the past few years, investigators have noted an increase in factories making illicit products within the bloc. This represents a shift, as previously, most of the illicit products consumed within Europe originated outside the EU. However, the COVID pandemic, as well as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, have resulted in the restriction of some routes that were traditionally used by smugglers at the Eastern border.

Taking tobacco as an example, in 2022 alone, international operations involving the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) led to the seizure of 531 million illicit cigarettes, more than 205 tonnes of raw tobacco and 65 tonnes of water-pipe tobacco. The majority of these cigarette seizures were made from illicit production sites within the EU.

With regards to consumption, a report by KPMG estimates that while total cigarette consumption is declining in the EU, some of that reduction is offset by an increase in illicit cigarette consumption in the region. This grew by 3.9 percent in 2021, reaching 35.5 billion cigarettes in total. A better understanding of the increase in illicit cigarettes is required. One potential explanation may be the high excise tax increase throughout the EU in recent years.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to discuss illicit trade in Europe. What practices can Member States put in place to tackle this issue?

A EURACTIV event with the support of Philip Morris International.

European agriculture employs over 10 million people, with a significant proportion (as many as 61.2%) engaged in 'informal employment'. These workers often face poor wages, long working hours, undeclared work, and sub-standard housing, amongst other hardships. Accusations of exploitation, and even modern slavery, have been made in some countries.

In June 2021, the EU institutions took a crucial first step towards addressing this by introducing 'social conditionality' into the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform.

The new measure of social conditionality requires farmers to comply with minimum social and labour standards in order to receive CAP subsidies. National authorities can decide to reduce – or withdraw in the most severe cases – the CAP subsidies where a farmer does not respect one or several requirements under this EU legislation.

The introduction of this measure is currently voluntary, but will become mandatory in all EU countries as of 2025. France, Italy, and Austria have already opted to introduce social conditionality as of 2023. The impact of social conditionality on workers' conditions will be reviewed by the Commission in a public report in 2027.

While many believe that the introduction of social conditionality is a step in the right direction, some stakeholders argue that the level of sanctions imposed at the national level are too low. They call on the European Commission to develop a coordinated and harmonised system of sanctions across Europe.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to learn  social conditionality and its impact on the working conditions of agri-workers. How do these reforms affect farmers? Are there any potential drawbacks or unintended consequences of introducing social conditionality in the CAP? If so, what might they be, and how could they be addressed?

Co-funded by the European Union.

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 Farm to Fork Strategy is at the heart of the Green Deal, addressing the challenges associated with establishing sustainable food systems. It aims to make food systems fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly.

Food systems are significant contributors to climate change and environmental degradation. Many agrifood stakeholders believe there is an urgent need to reduce dependency on pesticides and antimicrobials, reduce excess fertilisation, increase organic farming, improve animal welfare, and reverse biodiversity loss.

According to the European Commission, there are currently 33 million people in the EU who cannot afford a nutritious meal every other day. This suggests food assistance is essential. Creating a supportive food environment that promotes healthy and sustainable diets will benefit consumers’ health and quality of life, and reduce health-related costs for society.

One of the flagship initiatives of the Farm to Fork Strategy is the proposed legislative framework for sustainable food systems (FSFS). This framework, set to be adopted by the Commission before the end of 2023, aims to accelerate and simplify the transition towards sustainable food systems.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to explore the EU's Farm to Fork Strategy and learn what lies ahead for the future of food and sustainable food systems. Does the EU's Farm to Fork Strategy go far enough? What elements should be included in the proposed legislative framework for sustainable food systems (FSFS) to accelerate the transition towards sustainable food systems?

In light of the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the nations of Central Asia have gained renewed importance for the European Union.

For the EU, the chief imports from the region are energy and raw materials, including oil from Kazakhstan. The EU seeks to increase its engagement in these sectors and in October 2022 signed a memorandum of understanding with Kazakhstan on access to critical raw materials. Oil and gas are crucial for European countries to diversify their supplies away from Russia. An increase in Kazakh oil may be an attractive option for the EU.

Central Asia has historically developed close political, security, economic and human ties with Russia but also with China, Turkey and Iran.

Recently, the region’s countries have found themselves “sandwiched” between some of its key economic partners. Transit countries have been subjected to sanctions from their other major trade and investment partners in the West.

At the same time, a number of countries in the region are going through rather complicated and dynamic domestic changes. Within slightly more than two years, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have seen major constitutional reforms voted in nationwide referendums, adjusting their government systems to the dominant trends in their societies, while facing some significant turmoil in areas of security.

Last October, the first meeting between the EU Council’s President and leaders of Central Asian nations took place in Astana. And a second meeting is scheduled to take place on 2nd June 2023 in Cholpon-Ata (Kyrgyzstan). The region’s countries receive similar attention from Russia and China who also held similar multilateral meetings last October and last May respectively. The U.S. Secretary of State attended such a meeting at the level of foreign ministers last February.

Other high level regional platforms in the first half of 2023 include the Tashkent Investment Forum and the Astana International Forum, as well as the second EU – Central Asia Economic Forum in Almaty on May 18-19.

Does this intensity of events and contacts involving EU and Central Asia signify a renewed cooperation drive with the region?

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to learn how best the EU can advance its agenda in Central Asia. How will this renewed engagement develop? Are there limitations to the partnership? How can Kazakhstan contribute to the development of interregional cooperation?

Generative AI has garnered significant attention recently due to its unique ability to create novel content designed to mimic humans.

ChatGPT is a form of generative AI currently gaining popularity. It is designed to generate human-like text in a chatbot context. This AI-powered chat tool is an example of how generative AI can automate content creation, in this case, by generating responses to user input in a chatbot.

It has the potential to revolutionise many industries by automating the creation of content, analysing large amounts of data and overall improving efficiency, which frees up workers' time. However, generative AI’s potential impact on the work landscape of the information industry has led to scepticism. There are concerns about job displacement and a loss of human perspective and voice.

Another drawback of generative AI is that it reflects society's biases on issues such as gender and race. It can generate fake news, such as ‘deepfakes’: images or videos created by AI that appear realistic but are false and misleading.

Currently, the EU’s approach to artificial intelligence centres on excellence and trust, aiming to boost research and industrial capacity while ensuring safety and fundamental rights.

In December 2022, the Council adopted its common position on the Artificial Intelligence Act which aims to ensure that AI systems placed on the EU market and used in the Union are safe and respect existing laws on fundamental rights and Union values.

Rewatch this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference, part of the Horizon Europe project AI4TRUST, to find out about the benefits and risks of generative AI. Discussed questions included:

- Is there a place for generative AI in our society?
- What repercussions does generative AI have for the information industry? How does it impact journalism and content creation?
- What safeguards can be put in place to regulate generative AI?
- Does the European Commission’s AI Act adequately protect us from the drawbacks of generative AI?

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme under Grant Agreement no 101070190.

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.

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Education plays a critical role in addressing climate change as it raises awareness and builds the knowledge and skills necessary to transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future. Some of the ways in which education can contribute to tackling climate change include climate literacy, sustainability education, green skills training, and community building.

Educational programmes that provide climate literacy encompass the knowledge and understanding of the science of climate change, its impacts, and the ways in which individuals and communities can take action to address it. Being better educated about climate change means that citizens are far more likely to understand the problem and are empowered to make changes in their own lives.

Sustainability education aims to equip individuals with the knowledge, skills and values necessary to create a more sustainable future. This includes teaching about the causes and consequences of climate change, as well as practical solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.

As the world shifts towards a more sustainable future, there is an increasing need for workers with green skills, such as renewable energy technicians, sustainable building designers, and green business managers. Education can help prepare individuals for these in-demand jobs and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Education is also a powerful tool for engaging communities and inspiring action on climate change. For example, schools can engage their students and families in sustainability projects and initiatives, such as planting trees, reducing energy use, and composting.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to learn about the role that education plays in building a sustainable future and empowering young people to tackle climate change. What could be the most efficient tool in equipping today's youth with the skills needed to make a real difference in mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change? How can public-funded projects contribute to this?

Life Terra is co-financed by the European Commission through the LIFE Programme (LIFE19 CCM/NL/001200).
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Transplantation is a life-saving procedure in the case of organ failure (e.g. end-stage renal disease). While there is an established clinical practice, the overall number of transplants performed is limited by the availability of organs. The European Union has been working towards improving the organ transplantation process and addressing the shortage of organs for transplantation.

In 2019, the EU passed a directive on the quality and safety of human organs intended for transplantation. The directive sets out common quality and safety standards for the procurement, testing, preservation, and storage of organs across the EU Member States. The aim of this directive is to ensure that all organs used for transplantation meet high safety and quality standards.

The highest number of transplants are kidney transplants, followed by liver and heart transplants. According to data from the European Union, in 2021, there were over 36,000 organ transplants carried out in the EU, yet there were over 41,000 new patients registered on the waiting list. This suggests that many persons who need a transplant are still waiting for a suitable donor organ.

As the demand for organs exceeds the supply, some individuals may still die while waiting for a suitable donor organ to become available. This shortage is exacerbated by the reluctance of some individuals and families to donate organs, as well as the lack of an effective system for identifying potential donors. Another challenge is the lack of coordination and standardisation among EU Member States. This can lead to inconsistencies in the quality and safety of transplanted organs, and can also make it more difficult to share organs between countries.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out how to empower transplant patients, facilitating a meaningful dialogue between organ donors and their families, caregivers and transplant professionals.  Discussed questions included:
– How can different stakeholders partner and not work in silos in order to improve the overall healthcare system and positively impact patient outcomes?
– How can transplantation be encouraged and included more in the global health discussion?
– How can we reduce the gaps for people who are waiting for a transplant?
– How can the shortage of available organs be overcome?

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