Rapporteur Talks

Deemed as the "holy grail" of energy production, fusion is the process that powers the Sun and other stars and can be a game-changer for the future of zero carbon energy as it does not emit greenhouse gases, is virtually inexhaustible and safe.

Fusion science and technology have a long history in Europe. ITER, a collaborative research project between 35 nations, is one of the most ambitious energy projects in the world, designed to prove the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy.

The urgency of fighting climate change is giving renewed momentum to these efforts, attracting private capital into different fusion projects, with the objective of making fusion a business reality, and at the same time providing electricity from fusion to the grid. Support through investment and public-private partnerships in order to speed up research can lead to industrial-scale development of fusion technology.

But where does the EU stand when it comes to technological development? What is needed for more progress in this field? Is the regulatory framework fostering innovation?

Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out the potential of fusion technology for transforming the European energy mix and achieving a green and sustainable energy transition.
Addressed questions included:

- What is the future of fusion energy in Europe?
- What could stimulate more investment in this novel energy source?
- What are the advantages of ITER and what can be learned from the project?
- What steps are needed for developing a roadmap for the future commercialisation of fusion power in Europe and beyond?

At the end of November 2022, the European Commission released a proposed revision of the EU legislation on Packaging and Packaging Waste, with the aim of stopping the dramatic increase of packaging waste generation and increasing the proportion of finite resources recirculated back into our economy.

But how do we define circularity? Does it need to happen in a closed loop or is recycling for diverse end uses enough? Do we take into account the future uses of a material as well as its origin?

On average, each European generates almost 180 kg of packaging waste per year. Packaging is one of the main uses for virgin materials as 40% of plastics and 50% of paper produced in the EU is destined for packaging. Without action, the EU would see a further 19% increase in packaging waste by 2030, and for plastic packaging waste even a 46% increase.

The European Commission’s proposed revision attempts to tackle this problem by introducing measures and targets to increase reduction, recycling and reuse of packaging. However, some stakeholders in the food and beverage industry argue that European legislation does not properly define and promote a closed loop vision of ‘circularity’ and 'high-quality recycling'.

PET is the only product stream currently recycled on a large scale. Food and beverage sectors claim that by using recycled PET in non-food applications, nonfood sectors break the circularity loop as recycled PET cannot be used for the purpose it was first designed for: high-quality, food-contact material. This, they say, amounts to greenwashing. Adding to the dilemma, food and beverage sectors believe competition from non-food sectors for recycled, food-contact grade materials may make it impossible to reach the targets for minimum levels of recycled content.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss what circularity actually means and how a fair definition and practice, satisfying both consumers and industry, can be reached. Addressed questions included:
- What is a circular product? Can consumers play a role in the understanding and defining of 'circularity'? And how can we define terms such as greenwashing, downcycling, high-quality recycling?
- Can the Commission’s PPWR proposal ensure that the food and beverage industry can fully close the loop on their packaging?
- Does the PPWR do enough to enable each sector to close the loop on the packaging they put on the market?

The Nature Restoration Law, the first of its kind, is a proposal adopted by the European Commission in June 2022 which aims to restore damaged ecosystems and revive nature across Europe. The proposal is seen as instrumental in avoiding ecosystem collapse and preventing the worst impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss.

According to the European Commission, 80% of European habitats are in poor condition. The proposal aims to cover at least 20% of the EU's land and sea areas by 2030 with nature restoration measures, and eventually extend these to all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. To reach these targets, while accounting for national circumstances, the law would require Member States to develop National Restoration Plans, in close cooperation with scientists, interested stakeholders and the public.

Forests comprise 45% of European land. They act as the Earth’s lungs by absorbing enormous amounts of carbon from the atmosphere and are vital for combating climate change. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, eliminating emissions from deforestation and increasing carbon removals by promoting forest regrowth and landscape restoration could reduce global emissions by up to 30%.

Forests also provide non-carbon services such as providing water and food security and medicines and materials, regulating global rainfall patterns, and reducing the risk of disasters. They also host more than 50% of the world’s land-based species.

The Life Terra project seeks to plant 500 million trees in Europe. Tree planting is regarded as the most cost-effective solution to capturing carbon. It also supports nature restoration and prevents biodiversity loss.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out the Commission’s proposal for the Nature Restoration Law in the context of forests. How can tree planting and forest restoration support climate change mitigation? What role can projects like Life Terra play in reaching the Commission's targets, and how can projects like this be replicated elsewhere?

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.

Critical raw materials (CRM) are essential components in many renewable energy technologies – wind turbines, solar panels, electric vehicles. Demand for CRM is growing dramatically as governments look to phase out over-dependence on fossil fuels. According to projections by the World Bank, the demand for high-impact minerals will increase by 500% by 2050.

In order to meet the European Green Deal's climate goals, the transport sector must undergo a thorough transformation. Batteries, in particular, are fundamental in decarbonising the transport industry and moving towards green mobility. However, they require a significant amount of critical raw materials, such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earths and copper.

The European Commission, together with relevant stakeholders, is working on different action plans and initiatives to address CRM in supply chains. A review of the current critical raw materials list is expected at the end of the year.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out the role of critical raw materials in ensuring a fast and ambitious energy transition across Europe.

In 2022, the European Commission published a proposal for amendments to the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive and the Consumer Rights Directive. The proposal aims to contribute to a circular, clean and green EU economy by enabling consumers to take informed decisions and contribute to more sustainable consumption. It also targets unfair commercial practices that mislead consumers, aiming to achieve a better and more consistent application of EU consumer rules.

The proposal follows the European Green Deal and is seen by policymakers as fundamental for creating a sustainable product policy framework that can empower consumers.

However, some industry stakeholders claim that the proposal is not clear enough and does not create a level playing field for the industry. They are recommending the ban of vague or non-specific environmental claims such as “environmentally safe”, “green”, “nature’s friend", which they argue may be associated with “greenwashing”.

As the industry is investing in sustainable production and consumption programmes, companies are asking for more clarity regarding company sustainability labels. These labels are developed by multiple stakeholder groups who follow robust environmental and social criteria.
Relisten to this EURACTIV Hybrid Conference to find out what are the different options for ensuring a level playing field for industry and empowering consumers to achieve a successful green transition. Addressed questions included:

• Could the European Commission’s proposal allow for substantiated company-owned sustainability labels which are proven to be robust?
• How will it affect local and small-scale producers in the EU?
• What resources are required in order to create a level playing field and a fairer system for everyone in the industry?
• What are the main challenges in achieving consumer empowerment, and how can they be tackled?

La nouvelle politique agricole commune (PAC) de l'Union européenne entrera en vigueur en 2023. Les réformes - notamment en matière d'équité, de durabilité et de compétitivité - devraient être effectives dès le mois de janvier.

Selon le ministère de l’agriculture, la nouvelle version du PSN (Plan Stratégique National) français veut « encourager une diversité renforcée des systèmes de production » et « inciter au renforcement de la résilience du secteur en recherchant la sobriété en intrants » (engrais, pesticides).

En effet, la première version du PSN proposée par la France a été refusée par la Commission européenne ayant jugé trop faibles les ambitions environnementales et climatiques.

Participez à cette conférence virtuelle organisée par EURACTIV afin d'aborder les questions suivantes :
- Comment le gouvernement français se positionne-t-il en cette période de crise alimentaire mondiale ?
- Des dérogations exceptionnelles sont-elles justifiables au vu de l’urgence climatique ?

Les points de vue et opinions exprimés n’engagent que l’auteur ou les auteurs et ne reflètent pas nécessairement la position de l’Union européenne. Ni l’Union européenne ni l’autorité chargée de l’octroi ne sauraient en être tenues pour responsables.

In June 2019, the EU and Mercosur, comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, reached a trade agreement after almost 20 years of negotiations. With the EU being Mercosur's number one trade and investment partner, a trade agreement was seen as beneficial for the economy of both regions. Industry argued that tariff liberalisation would result in increased trade relations, and companies would have better opportunities in areas such as public procurement and subsidies, leading to a level playing field.

At the same time, the EU would have a first-mover advantage in an economic bloc that aims to open up and for the first time seeks to become more involved in international value chains. Furthermore, from a geopolitical viewpoint, more intensive cooperation with countries from South America, that share the same values as Europe, was deemed important.

However, several EU Member States and MEPs signalled their opposition to the agreement due to increased deforestation in the Amazonian rainforest and the perceived lack of efforts to tackle climate change by Mercosur countries. With the election of Lula da Silva as President of Brazil, new opportunities are arising for EU-South American cooperation. Following his inauguration in January, all eyes will be on Lula and the possible acceleration of the trade agreement’s ratification process.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to find out what opportunities the change in Brazilian leadership can bring to the Mercosur Trade Agreement negotiations. What can be improved to increase its chances of ratification? When will the Commission publish a complementary declaration on sustainability issues? How likely is it that the Council and EU Parliament will ratify it? What role would this trade agreement play in global geopolitics in the context of current challenges? And how could European industry benefit from the agreement?

Democracy is under pressure globally. Recent events in Europe have highlighted this. Technology is perceived as having both positive and negative impacts on democracy. The time is ripe to build democratic resilience and ensure that technology helps protect and promote democratic institutions and values rather than undermine them.

The European Democracy Action Plan (EDAP) has been put forward by the European Commission to tackle threats to democratic processes and norms within Europe. Technology companies must do their part in protecting these values. But industry must also proactively reflect on its roles and obligations to democratic societies above and beyond the letter of the law.

To explore emerging challenges, obligations, and desires, the ‘Democratic Values in the Digital Age’ programme collected leading experts from academia, think tanks, NGOs, policy, and the private sector to delve into these issues. Over the course of three workshops, a variety of voices and perspectives examined some of the more prominent digital issues facing democracy.

This included:

Workshop 1: Strengthening Media Freedom and Pluralism,
Organised by University College Dublin - Centre for Digital Policy.

Workshop 2: Countering Disinformation,
Organised by GLOBSEC.

Workshop 3: Democracy and Resilience in the Era of European Crises,
Organised by the Central European Digital Media Observatory (CEDMO).

The programme’s closing event featured a high-level panel who reflected on the workshops, discuss findings, and brainstorm future paths. This closing event was also accompanied by a final report on the workshops, which intellectually underpinned the discussion.

Event series powered by: Microsoft
Media Partner: EURACTIV

The European Commission adopted the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP) in March 2020. This plan announces initiatives along the entire life cycle of products. It promotes circular economy processes, encourages sustainable consumption, and aims to ensure that waste is prevented and the resources used are kept in the EU economy for as long as possible. The EU also aims to improve the communication of essential information on chemicals and in so doing, reduce hazardous chemicals’ adverse effects on health and the environment.

To contribute to these goals, the EU is looking to simplify and streamline labelling requirements for some categories of chemicals and chemical products, and the use of digital labelling. This could increase the cost-effectiveness and overall competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry.

Product-specific information requirements will ensure consumers know the environmental impacts of their purchases. All regulated products will have Digital Product Passports. This will make it easier to repair or recycle products and facilitate tracking substances of concern along the supply chain. The proposal also contains measures to end the destruction of unsold consumer goods, as well as expand green public procurement and provide incentives for sustainable products.

Industry stakeholders call for a digital EU-harmonised label to support consumer behaviours and the end of life management of packaging. The benefits of digital labelling include more flexibility to adapt to changes and potential for innovation, easy access for consumers, efficient communication of information, and support for the supply chain and waste sorting facilities.

Relisten to this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to learn what potential there is for harmonised digital solutions for separate collection of waste and labelling in the EU. How can challenges like multi-language packaging be addressed? What are the advantages and limitations of digital labelling and digital product passports?

Many of society’s most important activities, such as the production of food, constitute some of the globe’s most carbon-intensive industries. In the European context, there are the compounded strains of feeding an aging and growing population, the rise of food prices, and the EU resolve to implement the Green Deal and make Europe a climate neutral continent. Retailers are also experiencing a greater demand from consumers for sustainability and traceability. This presents several challenges for an already complex industry. Furthermore, an increase in global climate variations is making farming less predictable.

Many commercial farmers have identified ways to leverage digital technologies to make existing agricultural practices more precise. Precision farming techniques are expanding within the sector. They also vary and range from simple, low-cost practices (such as replacing sprayer nozzles to avoid overuse of pesticides) to employing sensors and meters that help conserve usage of agricultural inputs such as water, fertilisers, and plant protecting products (PPPs). According to a 2022 European Commission impact assessment, the use of this technology can help farmers to achieve up to a 27.9% reduction in herbicide use for crops of pulses such as peas. The same document suggests that adopting these techniques under certain conditions would have little or no impact on crop yields.

More complex approaches use drone technology for geo-spatial imaging and mapping, harness big data and AI technology to better understand fluctuations of farming conditions, and leverage cloud computer systems that foster peer-to- peer learning. By offering (in many cases) near real-time data, farmers can make more informed decisions.

Proponents also champion precision farming for its role in maximising the use of agriculture inputs while minimising the sectors impact on the environment. However, there are barriers to adoption. Many of these systems require high-quality connectivity in rural areas, enhanced digital skills, and regulatory assurances that farmers will be able to fully benefit from their investments.

This EURACTIV-GIGAEurope Digital Debate examined the role that digital technologies can play in global efforts to address food security issues and make agriculture more sustainable. Addressed questions included:

- What are the current attitudes and adoption rates of precision agriculture tools of Europe’s farms?

- What environmental challenges do farmers face and what is the role precision agriculture can play in tackling these?

- What is industry doing to address farmers’ concerns around privacy and data ownership?

- What sort of regulatory assurances can policymakers provide if farmers invest in precision farming tools?