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?

European Parliament 23 March 2022 - One month after Russia attacked Ukraine, MEPs during the plenary session unanimously condemned the brutal invasion and urged the EU to further sanction Moscow and protect the European economy.

War in Ukraine: keep the pressure up on Russia and aim for energy independence

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?

International maritime transport is the backbone of the global economy. However, vessels release emissions that pollute the air and contribute significantly to global warming. As shipping is forecast to grow, reducing these emissions is urgent, in order not to undermine emissions-reducing efforts in other areas, to keep humans healthy, preserve the environment and limit climate change.

EPRS policy podcast - Decarbonising maritime transport: The EU perspective

Today, rising sea levels place coastal cities under constant threat. An estimated 250 million people currently live on land below projected annual flood levels, often in coastal cities such as London, Lagos, Mumbai or Shanghai; and this number may rise to 630 million by the end of the century. An additional 318 million people have been displaced since 2018, due to climate disasters. Could it be that, instead of humankind fleeing from water, building on it could serve as a better long-term solution? What would the creation of entire water cities entail for societies, economies and the environment? What if populations could live on water instead of facing displacement and migration? The combined effects of climate change, land subsidence and accelerated urbanisation could force us to rethink the use of water surfaces on Earth as potential settlement areas, as an alternative to an Earth surface made uninhabitable by over-population and climate catastrophes.

EPRS STOA podcast - What if we built cities on water?

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

ECB President Christine Lagarde will brief MEPs on the state of European and global economic affairs and the European Central Bank’s activities, followed by a debate with MEPs. On Tuesday, MEPs will adopt their annual set of recommendations for the ECB on which issues it should prioritise.

Debate on the state of the EU economy and ECB activities with Christine Lagarde

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

INTA workshop : EU’s trade and digital economy - Challenges and opportunities for SMEs

Policy Department for External Relations – Workshop: "EU Trade and the Digital Economy"

Delegation for Relations with Israel - Ordinary Meeting - Exchange of Views on EU-Israel Relations in the Field of Economy, with Mr. Nir Barkat, Minister of Economy and Industry of the State of Israel

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

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

ENVI - Exchange of views with Jessika Roswall, Commissioner responsible for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, as part of the structured dialogue

JURI - Exchange of views with Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Omar PAGANINI, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Uruguay and Azucena ARBELECHE, Minister of Economy and Finance of Uruguay

TRAN - Presentation of a study on the Role of the Longevity Economy in the tourism

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

MEPs discuss with the Council and the Commission how the EU can contribute to achieving a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace deal for Ukraine. The debate focus on the EU’s political, financial and military support for Ukraine, and its role in efforts to secure a peace settlement that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and is based on international law. MEPs underline the importance of long-term commitment to Ukraine and the need for international coordination in building a lasting peace.

EU support for a just, sustainable and comprehensive peace in Ukraine: closing statements by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, and by Adam SZŁAPKA, Polish Minister for European Affairs

MEPs suggest urgent measures to alleviate the impact of droughts, such as higher wastewater reuse, increased water savings in the buildings and industrial sectors and enhanced water efficiency in agriculture. Investments in water storage techniques are also critical to sustaining water supplies during dry periods. Closing statements

The European Water Resilience Strategy: closing statements by Thomas BAJADA (S&D, MT), rapporteur, and Jessika ROSWALL, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy

MEPs suggest urgent measures to alleviate the impact of droughts, such as higher wastewater reuse, increased water savings in the buildings and industrial sectors and enhanced water efficiency in agriculture. Investments in water storage techniques are also critical to sustaining water supplies during dry periods. Opening statements by Thomas BAJADA (S&D, MT), rapporteur, and Jessika ROSWALL, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

The European Water Resilience Strategy: opening statements by Thomas BAJADA (S&D, MT), rapporteur, and Jessika ROSWALL, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy

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)

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