Rapporteur Talks

Hydrogen has become a central element of EU plans to reach net-zero emission by mid-century. The hydrogen strategy relies partly on imports of hydrogen produced from places like North Africa, the Arabic Peninsula and Ukraine. How will this work in practice?Globally, 50% of all hydrogen is today produced by the fertiliser industry who uses it to produce ammonia, the main building block for all other nitrogen fertilisers.Storing and transporting hydrogen is a challenge as it is the smallest and lightest molecule in nature and it liquefies only at the extremely low temperature of -253 degrees Celsius. Ammonia, though a different molecule, has 50 % more hydrogen than hydrogen itself. It also liquifies at -33 degrees and can be handled easily, similarly to liquified natural gas.To deliver on the net-zero objective, Europe needs decarbonised fuels in sectors where electrification is not an option – like heavy industry, some areas of transport or heating. Ammonia is today used as a base material for several industrial products, most notably nitrogen fertilisers, but it could also be used directly as fuel for shipping and other industrial applications.

Hydrogen has become a central element of EU plans to reach net-zero emission by mid-century. The hydrogen strategy relies partly on imports of hydrogen produced from places like North Africa, the Arabic Peninsula and Ukraine. How will this work in practice?Globally, 50% of all hydrogen is today produced by the fertiliser industry who uses it to produce ammonia, the main building block for all other nitrogen fertilisers.Storing and transporting hydrogen is a challenge as it is the smallest and lightest molecule in nature and it liquefies only at the extremely low temperature of -253 degrees Celsius. Ammonia, though a different molecule, has 50 % more hydrogen than hydrogen itself. It also liquifies at -33 degrees and can be handled easily, similarly to liquified natural gas.To deliver on the net-zero objective, Europe needs decarbonised fuels in sectors where electrification is not an option – like heavy industry, some areas of transport or heating. Ammonia is today used as a base material for several industrial products, most notably nitrogen fertilisers, but it could also be used directly as fuel for shipping and other industrial applications.

With its Climate Law, Europe will be the first continent in the world to have a climate neutrality target for 2050. Whilst this will produce a positive environmental impact, it is expected that some sectors will suffer economically with job losses. Other sectors will see a shift in how they produce goods, requiring reskilling and upskilling of the workforce. And some regions will be more affected than others. Trade unions argue that the European Green Deal risks deepening economic and social divisions between Member States in the east and west.The European Commission was criticised by some when it was confirmed the Climate Law would not include an updated overall benchmark for 2030 – currently set at 40% emissions cuts.

With its Climate Law, Europe will be the first continent in the world to have a climate neutrality target for 2050. Whilst this will produce a positive environmental impact, it is expected that some sectors will suffer economically with job losses. Other sectors will see a shift in how they produce goods, requiring reskilling and upskilling of the workforce. And some regions will be more affected than others. Trade unions argue that the European Green Deal risks deepening economic and social divisions between Member States in the east and west.The European Commission was criticised by some when it was confirmed the Climate Law would not include an updated overall benchmark for 2030 – currently set at 40% emissions cuts.

As policymakers turn their attention to the economic recovery post-COVID, there is a risk that investments in a green recovery may be side-lined.The European Commission maintains that the recovery and future growth of the EU must be sustainable. Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, insisted that the new Recovery and Resilience Facility, comprising up to €310 billion in grants, will be awarded to those Member States investing in public projects facilitating the green and digital transitions.An informal alliance has been launched in the European Parliament on the back of calls from 12 EU environment ministers who have signed an appeal for a green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Ministers appealed for the European Green Deal to be placed at the heart of the EU’s post-pandemic recovery plan. Signatories come from across the political spectrum and also bring together industry CEOs, civil society groups, business associations, trade unions, and think-tanks.MEP Pascal Canfin remarked: “There will be a before and after COVID-19 crisis. We are choosing to accelerate the ecological transition when the time comes to reinvest in the economy.”

As policymakers turn their attention to the economic recovery post-COVID, there is a risk that investments in a green recovery may be side-lined.The European Commission maintains that the recovery and future growth of the EU must be sustainable. Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, insisted that the new Recovery and Resilience Facility, comprising up to €310 billion in grants, will be awarded to those Member States investing in public projects facilitating the green and digital transitions.An informal alliance has been launched in the European Parliament on the back of calls from 12 EU environment ministers who have signed an appeal for a green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Ministers appealed for the European Green Deal to be placed at the heart of the EU’s post-pandemic recovery plan. Signatories come from across the political spectrum and also bring together industry CEOs, civil society groups, business associations, trade unions, and think-tanks.MEP Pascal Canfin remarked: “There will be a before and after COVID-19 crisis. We are choosing to accelerate the ecological transition when the time comes to reinvest in the economy.”

We often hear from policymakers, media and employer groups that the EU faces a shortage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills. However, what we rarely hear are specific details of what those skills shortages actually are and — just as crucially — where they are.

Businesses are especially concerned about the outlook. Pre-COVID, over half expected the shortage to worsen over the next 10 years, with expansion in the sector set to nearly double the number of new STEM roles required.

With many European schools and universities closed since mid-March, students have had to adapt to online and distance learning. It is too soon to assess whether students will fall behind in STEMs and other skills, but employers are already worried that the COVID crisis could slow Europe’s technological advancement due to a lack of future talent.

Post-COVID, re-establishing a strong pipeline of skills will be key to maintaining, at the very least, the EU’s standing in the STEM sector. The Commission’s Digital Education Action Plan designed to support technology use and the development of digital competences in education is an encouraging sign that policymakers are thinking more about STEM skills. But with a depressed job market for the foreseeable future, providing meaningful work experience opportunities will be a major challenge.

We often hear from policymakers, media and employer groups that the EU faces a shortage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills. However, what we rarely hear are specific details of what those skills shortages actually are and — just as crucially — where they are.

Businesses are especially concerned about the outlook. Pre-COVID, over half expected the shortage to worsen over the next 10 years, with expansion in the sector set to nearly double the number of new STEM roles required.

With many European schools and universities closed since mid-March, students have had to adapt to online and distance learning. It is too soon to assess whether students will fall behind in STEMs and other skills, but employers are already worried that the COVID crisis could slow Europe’s technological advancement due to a lack of future talent.

Post-COVID, re-establishing a strong pipeline of skills will be key to maintaining, at the very least, the EU’s standing in the STEM sector. The Commission’s Digital Education Action Plan designed to support technology use and the development of digital competences in education is an encouraging sign that policymakers are thinking more about STEM skills. But with a depressed job market for the foreseeable future, providing meaningful work experience opportunities will be a major challenge.

The economic competitiveness of regions, and notably rural regions, depends on good connectivity. This means not just roads and railways, but also internet highways. Connectivity to fast internet in rural areas is still almost half of what it is on average in the EU. Despite some progress, the gap is not narrowing. Things are moving in the right direction, but the European Commission's objective to have 100% of Europeans, including in rural areas, connected to fast internet by 2020 will not be met. In an effort to ensure rural areas are not left behind and their populations have access to high-quality jobs, the Commission has put in place an Action Plan for Rural Broadband.

One crucial element is to connect the recently-formed 'Broadband Competence Offices' (BCOs) with rural stakeholders. Only by connecting BCOs to the main actors dealing with specific hurdles encountered at rural level can the digital divide be addressed.

The BCO Network has worked closely over the last few years with 'Smart Villages'. The Smart Villages concept is about improving economic performance and quality of life in rural areas, potentially via digital and other technologies. Smart Village inhabitants gain access to knowledge, markets, social and cultural services, technologies and infrastructure that are usually only accessible to urban residents. It is not possible to have a Smart Village without broadband.

Watch this EURACTIV two-panel Virtual Conference where topics, such as how the urban-rural broadband gap can be narrowed more quickly, were discussed. The second panel was devoted to how rural broadband can help the agricultural sector grow and become more competitive in a sustainable way. The rise of digital farming technologies has opened a wealth of new data for farmers. Remote sensors, satellites and drones can monitor plant health, soil conditions, temperature, nitrogen utilisation and much more - 24/7. Artificial Intelligence-based tools can analyse this overwhelming amount of data at high speeds and funnel it back to farmers in the form of useful insights, helping them make critical, timely, and in-field decisions. All this can only happen with rural broadband.

The economic competitiveness of regions, and notably rural regions, depends on good connectivity. This means not just roads and railways, but also internet highways. Connectivity to fast internet in rural areas is still almost half of what it is on average in the EU. Despite some progress, the gap is not narrowing. Things are moving in the right direction, but the European Commission's objective to have 100% of Europeans, including in rural areas, connected to fast internet by 2020 will not be met. In an effort to ensure rural areas are not left behind and their populations have access to high-quality jobs, the Commission has put in place an Action Plan for Rural Broadband.

One crucial element is to connect the recently-formed 'Broadband Competence Offices' (BCOs) with rural stakeholders. Only by connecting BCOs to the main actors dealing with specific hurdles encountered at rural level can the digital divide be addressed.

The BCO Network has worked closely over the last few years with 'Smart Villages'. The Smart Villages concept is about improving economic performance and quality of life in rural areas, potentially via digital and other technologies. Smart Village inhabitants gain access to knowledge, markets, social and cultural services, technologies and infrastructure that are usually only accessible to urban residents. It is not possible to have a Smart Village without broadband.

Watch this EURACTIV two-panel Virtual Conference where topics, such as how the urban-rural broadband gap can be narrowed more quickly, were discussed. The second panel was devoted to how rural broadband can help the agricultural sector grow and become more competitive in a sustainable way. The rise of digital farming technologies has opened a wealth of new data for farmers. Remote sensors, satellites and drones can monitor plant health, soil conditions, temperature, nitrogen utilisation and much more - 24/7. Artificial Intelligence-based tools can analyse this overwhelming amount of data at high speeds and funnel it back to farmers in the form of useful insights, helping them make critical, timely, and in-field decisions. All this can only happen with rural broadband.