Electrification is gaining momentum across many sectors, including transport, buildings and industry, driven by the EU's climate ambition and security of supply. As the cost of renewable energy technologies like solar and wind continues to fall, electrification presents an opportunity to reshape the European economy, enhancing competitiveness and promoting sustainable growth.

EPRS Science and Technology podcast - What if electrification transformed the EU economy?

Payment systems are of vital importance for today's economies and are the core activity of central banks. To adapt to recent trends – including the decline in cash usage, the surge in online commerce and contactless forms of payment, and the creation of cryptocurrencies – central banks have, in recent years, explored the possibility of issuing digital currencies themselves. In this podcast, we’ll talk about digital currencies issued by central banks. We’ll look at the different design choices and examine the potential benefits and risks of such crypto-currencies.

EPRS policy podcast - Central bank digital currencies: Evolution or revolution?

Green bonds are committed to financing or re-financing investments, projects, expenditure or assets helping to address climate and environmental issues. Both governments and companies use them to finance the transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon economy. Since the EIB inaugurated the green bond market in 2007 with its Climate Awareness Bond, the market has grown very fast, but it still represents only about 3 to 3.5 % of overall bond issuance. The green bond market needs to grow more quickly to achieve the targets in the Paris Agreement. In this podcast, we’ll talk about European green bonds, a tool for financing green investments that can help us make the transition to a low-carbon economy, and how a European standard could be become global.

EPRS policy podcast - European green bonds: A standard for Europe, open to the world

The European Commission has announced the establishment of a 'right to repair', with a view of saving costs for consumers and facilitating the development of a circular economy. The right to repair may refer to different issues and situations: repair during the legal guarantee, the right to repair after the legal guarantee has expired, and the right for consumers to repair products themselves. Rates of repair depend on the type of a product, with the cost of repair being the most important reason consumers avoid repair. Research shows that consumers favour products that are easily repaired, but their willingness to pay for such products depends on the type of product and the way information on the reparability is presented to them...

EPRS policy podcast - Right to repair

In March 2018, the EU introduced a legislative package on the fair taxation of the digital economy. It contained proposals for an interim and a long-term digital tax. However, there was no immediate political agreement in the Council. As finding a global solution at the OECD level or a coordinated EU approach was not yet feasible at the time, some Member States started designing or implementing their own digital taxes, which gave rise to trade tensions. In this podcast, we talk about taxing the digital economy. We analyse the main challenges, look at EU proposals and new developments to make international tax regimes fit for the digital age.

EPRS policy podcast - Taxing the digital economy: New developments and the way forward

In the first two decades of the 21st century, with new risks and opportunities arising owing to the twin digital and green transformations there is an emerging debate, rethinking economic growth theories with more focus on inclusion and combatting inequality, and exploring the relevance of traditional welfare state models. This debate has intensified in the wake of the 2008 crisis, and now also as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and crisis. The social economy can play a central role in this context.

EPRS policy podcast - What future for the social economy?

The European Union produces more than&nbsp;2.2 billion tonnes of waste every year. It is currently updating its&nbsp;legislation on waste management&nbsp;to promote a shift to a more sustainable model known as the circular economy.

The circular economy is a&nbsp;model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the&nbsp;life cycle of products is extended.

In March 2020, the European Commission presented the circular economy action plan,&nbsp;&nbsp;which aims to promote more sustainable product design, reduce waste and empower consumers, for example by creating aright to repair). There is a focus on resource intensive sectors, such as&nbsp;electronics and ICT,&nbsp;plastics,&nbsp;textiles&nbsp;and construction.

In February 2021, the Parliament adopted a resolution on the&nbsp;new circular economy action plan&nbsp;demanding additional measures to achieve a carbon-neutral, environmentally sustainable, toxic-free and fully circular economy by 2050, including tighter recycling rules and&nbsp;binding targets for materials use and consumption&nbsp;by 2030.

In March 2022, the Commission released the&nbsp;first package of measures&nbsp;to speed up the transition towards a circular economy, as part of the circular economy action plan. The proposals include boosting sustainable products, empowering consumers for the green transition, reviewing construction product regulation, and creating a strategy on sustainable textiles.

In November 2022, the Commission proposed&nbsp;new EU-wide rules on packaging. It aims to reduce packaging waste and improve packaging design, with for example clear labelling to promote reuse and recycling; and calls for a transition to bio-based, biodegradable and compostable plastics.

Circular economy

Unlike the traditional linear economic model based on a 'take-make-consume-throw away' pattern, a circular economy is based on reuse, repair, refurbishment and recycling, in an (almost) closed loop.

Although waste management in the European Union (EU) has improved considerably in the past decades, almost a third of municipal waste is still landfilled and less than half is recycled or composted, with wide variations between Member States. Improving waste management could deliver positive effects for the environment, climate, human health and the economy. As part of a shift in EU policy towards a circular economy, the European Commission made four legislative proposals introducing new waste-management targets regarding reuse, recycling and landfilling. The proposals also strengthen provisions on waste prevention and extended producer responsibility, and streamline definitions, reporting obligations and calculation methods for targets.

Circular economy - 8th parliamentary term

The collaborative economy is based on the sharing of human and physical resources like creation, production, distribution, trade and consumption of goods and services. 

A 2016 Eurobarometer showed that 17% of European consumers have used services provided by the collaborative economy, and 52% are aware of the services offered. Peer-to-peer accommodation is the largest collaborative economy sector on the basis of generated commerce, while peer-to-peer transportation is the largest measured by platform revenue.

Collaborative economy - 8th parliamentary term

&nbsp;Arelatively recent phenomenon, the collaborative economy has become to the centre of the interest&nbsp;a decade in some areas of activities, such as car-sharing or short-term lets. Although it is now a well-known term – with alternative names from the 'sharing' to 'gig' to 'peer-to-peer' economy – it remains difficult to grasp precisely, beyond the central feature that potential consumers and providers are connected via a digital platform that matches demand and supply, providing cheap access to information on a very large scale.

These 'match-makers' make it possible for non-professional providers to offer goods and servicesin a wide range of activities, generating value and with the potential for further development.

The success of collaborative platforms has raised concerns regarding workers’ rights and unfair advantages these firms might enjoy over traditional companies that are bound by stricter legal regulations. Taxation issues in the collaborative economy increasingly highlight the need for an in-depth look into taxation, focusing on the link between the value created and tax, and the need for a level playing field for incumbent business facing competition from these new entrants to the market.

See more on this topic by visiting our package&nbsp; for the 8th parliamentary term.

Collaborative economy

Angola's partnership with the EU is based on the ACP-EU Cotonou Partnership Agreement which aims to reduce poverty by developing the Angolan economy and gradually integrating it into the global economy.

The Joint Way Forward promotes more active political cooperation, especially Angola's active involvement in the different regional and multilateral fora, and prioritises key areas of common interest from the 2007 Joint Africa-EU Strategy (security, governance, human rights, economic growth, energy, transport, environment, science and technology, training and education).

EU - Angola

This package contains the events between 1st July 2019 and 31 December 2020. For latest events, see related links.

In its resolution on the European Green Deal, Parliament called for an ambitious new circular economy action plan aiming to reduce the total environmental and resource footprint of EU production and consumption, with resource efficiency, zero pollution and waste prevention as key priorities.

Circular economy (2019 - 2020)

Paolo Gentiloni, born on 22 November 1954 in Rome, is an Italian politician.

After the hearing by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) of the European Parliament, the committee prepares an evaluation letter on the candidate. Parliament is expected to vote on the new Commission as a whole on 23 October.

Hearing of Paolo GENTILONI, Commissioner-designate, Economy

As part of a shift in EU policy towards a circular economy, the European Parliament worked on four legislative proposals introducing new waste-management targets regarding reuse, recycling and landfilling. The proposals also strengthen provisions on waste prevention and extended producer responsibility, and streamline definitions, reporting obligations and calculation methods for targets.

#EUelections2019 - Circular economy

Valdis Dombrovskis was Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade in the von der Leyen Commission I. He was also Vice-President of the EC in charge of the Euro and Social Dialogue, and in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union in the Juncker Commission and he is a former Member of the EP. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Economy and Productivity, and European Commissioner-designate for Implementation and Simplification, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commisioner-designate for Economy and Productivity Implementation and Simplification

Jessika Roswall was Swedish Minister for EU Affairs since 2022. She is now European Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, for the von der Leyen Commission II.

Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner-designate, Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy

ECON JURI - Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, European Commissioner-designate for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification.- Press point

ECON JURI - Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, European Commissioner-designate for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification

ENVI - Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, European Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy - Press point

ENVI - Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, European Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy

ENVI Committee - Exchange of views with Dr Anikó Raisz, Secretary of State for Environmental Affairs and Circular Economy, Ministry of Energy, Hungarian Council Presidency

EP Plenary session - Data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services

EP Plenary session - Rule 162 - Regaining our competitive edge - a prosperous EU in a fragmented global economy

EP Plenary session - Topical debate - Quality jobs in a competitive future-oriented Social Market economy

EPRS Book Talk - Capitalism Reconnected - Towards a Sustainable, Inclusive and Innovative Market Economy in Europe

EP Plenary session - Commission statement - Commission proposal for a Council recommendation on developing social economy framework conditions

ECON -  Economic Dialogue and exchange of views with Nadia CALVINO, ECOFIN President and First Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister for the Economy and Digital Transformation

FISC - Exchange of views with Paolo GENTILONI, Commissioner responsible for Economy, on Tax Matters

EP Plenary session - Putting the European economy at the service of the middle class

ECON - State Aid: EU’s reaction to the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) -Exchange of views with Paolo GENTILONI, Commissioner for Economy

REGI Committee - Exchange of views with Vaughan Gething, Minister for Economy of Wales on Brexit and the cooperation of Wales with the European Union

EP Plenary session - Topical debate : More Europe, more jobs: we are building the competitive economy of tomorrow for the benefit of all

EP Plenary session - Revelations of Uber lobbying practices in the EU

Committee on Budgets - Recovery and Resilience Dialogue with Valdis Dombrovskis Executive Vice-President for An Economy that Works for People; and Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for Economy

Press point by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification

Press point by Aurore LALUCQ (S&D, France), Chair of ECON, following the confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification

Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification

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EMPL

JURI

IMCO

Press point by Antonio DECARO (S&D, Italy), Chair of ENVI, following the confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy

ITRE

ENVI

AGRI

Press conference by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, EC Executive Vice-President for Economy and Nicolas SCHMIT Commissioner for jobs and social rights on developing social economy framework conditions

EC read out by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, EC Executive Vice-President for Economy and Mairead MCGUINNESS, Commissioner  for financial services on a new sustainable finance framework

Press conference by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, EC Executive Vice-President, Paolo GENTILONI, Commissioner for Economy and Nicolas SCHIMIT, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights on the Autumn 2023 European

Press conference by Kadri SIMSON, Commissioner for Energy on the proposal for a market correction mechanism to protect citizens and the economy against excessive gas prices

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary - Stronger economy, social justice and jobs

Conference on the Future of Europe - workgroup: A stronger economy, social justice and jobs

Press conference by Angelika NIEBLER, rapporteur on the Data Governance Act - EU initiatives towards a European Data Economy

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary II : Panel 1, Stronger economy, Social justice and jobs, Education and culture, Digital transformation

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary 3: Stronger economy, social justice and jobs

Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission, speaks to the press after he was heard by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) and Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) of the European Parliament. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Press point by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification

Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) and Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) of the European Parliament. Committee on Budgets (BUDG), Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), and Subcommittee on Tax Matters (FISC) participate as joint committees. At the end of the confirmation hearing, Valdis DOMBROVSKIS makes a closing statement followed by the one from the Committee Chair. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification: closing statement by Commissioner-designate, Aurore LALUCQ (S&D, FR), ECON Chair, Ilhan KYUCHYUK (Renew, BG), JURI Chair

Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) and Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) of the European Parliament. Committee on Budgets (BUDG), Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), and Subcommittee on Tax Matters (FISC) participate as joint committees. During the confirmation hearing, Valdis DOMBROVSKIS answers questions by committee members.

Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification: questions / answers (part 5)

Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification: questions / answers (part 4)

Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification: questions / answers (part 3)

Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification: questions / answers (part 2)

Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification: questions / answers

Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) and Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) of the European Parliament. Committee on Budgets (BUDG), Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), and Subcommittee on Tax Matters (FISC) participate as joint committees. During the confirmation hearing, Valdis DOMBROVSKIS gives an opening speech and then answers questions by committee members.

Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification: opening statement by the Commissioner-designate

Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification, of the VON DER LEYEN Commission is heard by the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) and Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) of the European Parliament. Committee on Budgets (BUDG), Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO), Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), and Subcommittee on Tax Matters (FISC) participate as joint committees. Ambiance of the arrivals and opening statements by Aurore LALUCQ (S&D, FR), Chair of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs (ECON) and Ilhan KYUCHYUK (Renew, BG), Chair of Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI). This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery. .

Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification: arrivals and opening statements by Aurore LALUCQ (S&D, FR), ECON Chair and Ilhan KYUCHYUK (Renew, BG), JURI Chair

Ambience shots of the Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification.

Confirmation hearing of Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Commissioner-designate, Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification: ambience shots

Valdis Dombrovskis was Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade in the von der Leyen Commission I. He was also Vice-President of the EC in charge of the Euro and Social Dialogue, and in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union in the Juncker Commission and he is a former Member of the EP. He is now European Commissioner-designate for Economy and Productivity, and European Commissioner-designate for Implementation and Simplification, for the von der Leyen Commission II. This stockshot illustrates the relations between Valdis Dombrovskis and the EU institutions from 2023 to 2024 and contains new footage in his office in Berlaymont, filmed on 29/10/2024.

Memoclip: Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner-designate for Economy and Productivity, and European Commissioner-designate for Implementation and Simplification

Jessika ROSWALL, the Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, is heard by the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee. Prior to her nomination for the post of Commissioner, Roswall was Sweden's minister for European affairs, from October 2022 to September 2024. In her new position, she oversees environmental policy, water resilience, and circular economy initiatives within the von der Leyen Commission II. Closing statement by Commissioner-designate and Committees Chairs.

Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy: Closing statement by Commissioner-designate and Committees Chairs

Jessika ROSWALL, the Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, is heard by the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee. Prior to her nomination for the post of Commissioner, Roswall was Sweden's minister for European affairs, from October 2022 to September 2024. In her new position, she oversees environmental policy, water resilience, and circular economy initiatives within the von der Leyen Commission II. Questions / Answers (part 5). .

Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy: Questions / Answers (part 5 - Political groups in reverse order)

Jessika ROSWALL, the Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, is heard by the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee. Prior to her nomination for the post of Commissioner, Roswall was Sweden's minister for European affairs, from October 2022 to September 2024. In her new position, she oversees environmental policy, water resilience, and circular economy initiatives within the von der Leyen Commission II. Questions / Answers (part 4). .

Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy: Questions / Answers (part 4 - Invited Committees)

Jessika ROSWALL, the Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, is heard by the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee. Prior to her nomination for the post of Commissioner, Roswall was Sweden's minister for European affairs, from October 2022 to September 2024. In her new position, she oversees environmental policy, water resilience, and circular economy initiatives within the von der Leyen Commission II. Questions / Answers (part 3). .

Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy: Questions / Answers (part 3)

Jessika ROSWALL, the Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, is heard by the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee. Prior to her nomination for the post of Commissioner, Roswall was Sweden's minister for European affairs, from October 2022 to September 2024. In her new position, she oversees environmental policy, water resilience, and circular economy initiatives within the von der Leyen Commission II. Questions / Answers (part 2).

Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy: Questions / Answers (part 2)

Jessika ROSWALL, the Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, is heard by the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee. Prior to her nomination for the post of Commissioner, Roswall was Sweden's minister for European affairs, from October 2022 to September 2024. In her new position, she oversees environmental policy, water resilience, and circular economy initiatives within the von der Leyen Commission II. Questions / Answers (Part 1 - Political groups coordinators).

Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy: Questions / Answers (Part 1 - Political groups coordinators)

Jessika ROSWALL, the Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, is heard by the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee. Prior to her nomination for the post of Commissioner, Roswall was Sweden's minister for European affairs, from October 2022 to September 2024. In her new position, she oversees environmental policy, water resilience, and circular economy initiatives within the von der Leyen Commission II. Opening statement by the Commissioner-designate, Jessika ROSWALL. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Confirmation hearing of Jessika ROSWALL, Commissioner-designate for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy: Opening statement by the Commissioner-designate

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