European Union

Council and Parliament strike provisional deal on the OSOA (one substance one assessment) package.

We may not know how it will turn out, but the AI job revolution is a hot topic in company boardrooms.

We may not know how it will turn out, but the AI job revolution is a hot topic in company boardrooms.

Romania previously contested Nutri-Score for overlooking national food culture but is now backing the label.

Romania previously contested Nutri-Score for overlooking national food culture but is now backing the label.

Written by Dessislava Yougova.

The European Union is currently legally bound to reach climate neutrality by 2050 and has agreed on targets and legislation to reduce net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55 % by 2030 compared with 1990 levels. The EU raised its’ ambitions after Parliament declared a climate emergency in 2019 and asked the European Commission to align the EU’s climate legislation with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. Having become the world’s fastest-warming continent, Europe is now facing increasing and stronger climate-related hazards, including heatwaves, prolonged droughts, extreme flooding, and rising sea levels. However, there is scope to significantly reduce climate risks by applying existing EU and national policies and action that rapidly reduce emissions and prepare countries to adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.

The European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) launched a series of briefings in 2024, based on statistical data, to take stock of each Member State’s progress towards climate neutrality and the EU-wide and national targets set in the ‘fit for 55’ package. Building on national energy and climate plans and using additional sources, the briefings provide an overview of a Member State’s current situation with regard to GHG emissions and removals and its energy system, national objectives and targets, as well as existing and planned measures to deliver on national commitments.

European countries’ energy mix and renewable energy share in final energy consumption are of particular interest, as reducing energy-related emissions by phasing out fossil fuels and transitioning to renewables and energy efficiency is the way to achieve the EU’s climate neutrality objective. Member States are therefore required to contribute to the EU-wide target of a 42.5 % share of renewable energy sources by 2030. However, for several Member States, decarbonising the energy system remains the most challenging issue.

The overview of sectoral challenges and strategies reveals limited progress in most countries in addressing emissions from transport, buildings, waste and agriculture. As EU legislation sets binding national targets for reducing emissions from these sectors, Member States would need to implement additional national measures, particularly in the transport, buildings and industry sectors.

The EU land use, land-use change and forestry sector, which plays an important role as a carbon sink thanks to forests’ capacities to absorb carbon from the atmosphere, is also subject to national targets set by EU legislation. However, Member States’ latest projections show that the EU is likely to miss its collective 2030 target in this sector.

In addition, the EPRS briefings give an overview of each Member State’s climate and energy strategy and climate action governance, as well as the latest policy developments, using available country information. They also shed light on the climate-related spending under the national recovery and resilience plans, as Member States are required to invest at least 37 % of EU Recovery and Resilience Facility Funds on climate objectives.

Spain’s Socialist party chief quits amid COVID-era corruption probe.

Spain’s Socialist party chief quits amid COVID-era corruption probe.

The President of the European Council, António Costa, visited Lisbon (Portugal) on 12 June 2025 to deliver a speech at the ceremony of the 40th anniversary of Portugal signing the Accession Treaty.

The Council listed three individuals and one entity responsible for undermining democracy and the rule of law in Guatemala.

European Council President António Costa invited leaders to the meeting of 26-27 June 2025 in Brussels, during which they will discuss how to build a more competitive, safer and more autonomous Europe for our citizens, and to ensure that the European Union can be an effective, predictable and reliable global actor.

Ukraine won’t get new NATO pledges at this month’s summit, Czech President Pavel says, as allies focus on unity and defence spending.

Ukraine won’t get new NATO pledges at this month’s summit, Czech President Pavel says, as allies focus on unity and defence spending.

Ukraine won’t get new NATO pledges at this month’s summit, Czech President Pavel says, as allies focus on unity and defence spending.

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU and national governments have recognised the need for greater policy infrastructure to support better preparation for future cross-border health security threats.

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU and national governments have recognised the need for greater policy infrastructure to support better preparation for future cross-border health security threats.

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU and national governments have recognised the need for greater policy infrastructure to support better preparation for future cross-border health security threats.

Spokespersons for Parliament and for the political groups will hold a briefing on the 16 - 19 June plenary session, on Friday at 11.00 in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press room.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

Spokespersons for Parliament and for the political groups will hold a briefing on the 16 - 19 June plenary session, on Friday at 11.00 in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press room.

Source : © European Union, 2025 - EP

In this interview, Ambassador García-Berdoy shares his insights on how Spain’s accession to the ECC brought the Iberian country back to the European and international arena following the end of Francisco Franco’s dictatorship.