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?

On 17 November 2021, the European Commission tabled a proposal to revise EU rules governing shipments of waste. The proposed regulation aims at easing shipments of waste for reuse and recycling in the EU, to support the transition to a circular economy; ensuring that waste exported from the EU is managed in an environmentally sound manner in the destination countries; and stepping up enforcement to counteract illegal shipments of waste. While supporting the proposed streamlining and digitalisation of procedures, stakeholders have stressed the need for significant improvements to ensure that the new regulation fulfils its objectives, in particular as regards exports of waste.

EPRS policy podcast - Revision of the EU's Waste Shipment Regulation

Over the past decade, space has gained increasing importance as an economic sector offering opportunities for established and emerging markets. Space policies and their applications have also gained in political relevance due to their capacity to tackle global challenges, such as the climate and biodiversity crises, but also due to the growing reliance of the EU economy and society on space infrastructure, services and data. This briefing focuses on the state of play in regard to the EU's space economy, while also examining the EU's reliance on space services. Specifically, it highlights the relevance of the EU in the global space market and looks at the ways the EU could boost its use of space data and services to deliver on its main political priorities.

EPRS policy podcast - EU space policy: Boosting EU competitiveness and accelerating the twin ecological and digital transition

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 growing importance of global supply chains has fundamentally changed the way the global economy and goods manufacturing are organised. While trade conducted through global supply chains has fallen somewhat as a share of total trade since the 2008-2010 global financial and economic crisis, more than two-thirds of international trade still involves transactions made possible by such chains. In this podcast, we’ll focus on global supply chains. We’ll analyse how dependent we are on them, the impact of the pandemic and what can be done –at the European and the global level- to make these chains more resilient in the future.

EPRS policy podcast - Resilience of global supply chains: Challenges and solutions

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

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

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

autre langue

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

Conference on the Future of Europe – European Citizen’s Panels : Panel 1, Stronger economy, social justice and jobs/ Education, culture, youth and sport/ Digital transformation

Conference on the Future of Europe - workgroup on A Stronger Economy, Social Justice and Jobs

Conference on the Future of Europe - European Citizens' Panels - session 2: Stronger economy, social justice, jobs/ education, youth, culture, sport/ digital transformation

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

EMPL Committee - The Uber files, lobbying and workers’ rights

ENVI Committee - Exchange of views with Janez Potocnik, Co-Chair of the International Resource Panel, including on aspects related to EU’s work on the circular economy

FEMM Committee- Workshop: on 'Feminist economy: tools to design the economy that works for women'

Working conditions of platform economy workers

ECON Committee - Structured dialogue on taxation with Paolo GENTILONI, Commissioner for Economy

Closing statement by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, on a continued financial and military support to Ukraine by EU Member States. MEPs are calling for continued military and financial support for Ukraine in a resolution expected on Thursday. Ahead of the vote, Parliament is holding a debate with the Commission. In July, the newly-elected Parliament adopted its first resolution of the term, stating that the EU must support Ukraine until it wins against Russia’s occupying forces. This latest resolution reaffirms that commitment, urging EU countries to maintain their backing for Kyiv.

Continued financial and military support to Ukraine by EU Member States: closing statement by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People

Opening statements by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, on a continued financial and military support to Ukraine by EU Member States. MEPs are calling for continued military and financial support for Ukraine in a resolution expected on Thursday. Ahead of the vote, Parliament is holding a debate with the Commission. In July, the newly-elected Parliament adopted its first resolution of the term, stating that the EU must support Ukraine until it wins against Russia’s occupying forces. This latest resolution reaffirms that commitment, urging EU countries to maintain their backing for Kyiv. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Continued financial and military support to Ukraine by EU Member States: opening statement by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People

Rysslands invasion av Ukraina satte igång en energikris och hög inflation i Europa. EU-parlamentet vill säkerställa att EU är tillräckligt motståndskraftigt för att klara nya kriser i framtiden. Av den anledningen stöttar parlamentet djärva, visionära projekt för att stärka våra ekonomier och samhällen.

Erik hjälpte de svenska företagen Amokabel och Bennesveds Åkeri att starta landets första självförsörjande vätgasstation: Uppvidinge Vätgas. Den tillhandahåller rent bränsle producerad med lokal vindkraft. 

I Irland är Hannah koldioxidspecialist hos Bord na Móna, ett företag som gick från att utvinna bränsle från torv till att bli ledande inom produktion av rent bränsle. Hon arbetar med att återställa landets torvmossar, som kan lagra stora mängder koldioxid, och hjälpa EU att nå sina klimatmål.

Initiativ som dessa, som finansieras av EU:s facilitet för återhämtning och resiliens, är centrala för ett starkare och mer lyhört Europa.

Bygga EU:s framtida ekonomi: möt Erik och Hannah

Rysslands invasion av Ukraina satte igång en energikris och hög inflation i Europa. EU-parlamentet vill säkerställa att EU är tillräckligt motståndskraftigt för att klara nya kriser i framtiden. Av den anledningen stöttar parlamentet djärva, visionära projekt för att stärka våra ekonomier och samhällen.

Erik hjälpte de svenska företagen Amokabel och Bennesveds Åkeri att starta landets första självförsörjande vätgasstation: Uppvidinge Vätgas. Den tillhandahåller rent bränsle producerad med lokal vindkraft. 

I Irland är Hannah koldioxidspecialist hos Bord na Móna, ett företag som gick från att utvinna bränsle från torv till att bli ledande inom produktion av rent bränsle. Hon arbetar med att återställa landets torvmossar, som kan lagra stora mängder koldioxid, och hjälpa EU att nå sina klimatmål.
 
Initiativ som dessa, som finansieras av EU:s facilitet för återhämtning och resiliens, är centrala för ett starkare och mer lyhört Europa.

Bygga EU:s framtida ekonomi: möt Erik och Hannah - 9:16

1st topic of the Eurovision Debate 2024 between the lead candidates for the Commission presidency: Nicolas SCHMIT, Party European Socialists, Sandro GOZI, Renew Europe Now, Terry REINTKE, European Greens, Ursula von der LEYEN, European People's Party and Walter BAIER, European Left. The candidates discuss on the EU economy that has been affected by global crises such as the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine, economic growth and employment. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Eurovision Debate 2024 (Clean feed) - Topic 1: Economy and jobs

Hur kan EU reformera sin ekonomiska modell för att gynna konsumenterna och planeten? Aimilios i Belgien och Laetitia i Frankrike har (en del av) svaret!

Aimilios och hans Watt4Ever-team rekonditionerar gamla elbilsbatterier för att tillverka nya energilagringssystem, vilket ger batterierna ett andra liv och sparar värdefullt råmaterial och energi samtidigt som man undviker ytterligare föroreningar.

Laetitia och "Halte à l'Obsolescence Programmée", eller HOP ("Stoppa planerad föråldring"), kampanjar för att vardagsprodukter ska hålla längre och vara lättare att reparera.

Europaparlamentet stöder EU-omfattande åtgärder för att främja en cirkulär ekonomi, en rätt till reparation och bättre återvinning av råmaterial, för att undvika att förorena planeten och för att gynna din plånbok.

EU-program som Horizon Europe och fonder för landsbygdsutveckling och regional utveckling ser till att sådana projekt får de resurser de behöver.

Få ekonomin att fungera för dig och planeten: träffa Aimilios och Laetitia - 9:16 EE24

Få ekonomin att fungera för dig och planeten: träffa Aimilios och Laetitia - EE24

The European Parliament has acted to ensure the EU economy and society are stronger and fairer in the aftermath of unprecedented challenges.  

The Covid-19 pandemic damaged the EU’s social and economic fabric, while the war in Ukraine sparked an energy crisis and saw the cost of living rise.  

Find out more about how Parliament is ensuring decent pay for workers and equal opportunities, while supporting businesses and making sure the EU is better prepared for future crises.

How has the European Parliament acted to strengthen the EU economy? - EE24

How has the European Parliament acted to strengthen the EU economy? - 9:16 EE24

MEPs debate on proposals for the lead candidate system ahead of the 2024 elections, after the vote was postponed at November’s plenary session, to allow for more time for deliberation. The proposition includes a mechanism to elect the Commission President, as well as ways to increase turnout and enhance democratic processes. Opening statements by Domènec RUIZ DEVESA (S&D, ES) and Sven SIMON (EPP, DE), Rapporteurs and Paolo GENTILONI, European Commissioner for Economy. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

The European Elections 2024: opening statements by Domènec RUIZ DEVESA (S&D, ES) and Sven SIMON (EPP, DE), Rapporteurs and Paolo GENTILONI, European Commissioner for Economy

MEPs debate on proposals for the lead candidate system ahead of the 2024 elections, after the vote was postponed at November’s plenary session, to allow for more time for deliberation. The proposition includes a mechanism to elect the Commission President, as well as ways to increase turnout and enhance democratic processes. Closing statements by Paolo GENTILONI, European Commissioner for Economy, Domènec RUIZ DEVESA (S&D, ES) and Sven SIMON (EPP, DE), Rapporteurs .

The European Elections 2024: closing statements by Paolo GENTILONI, European Commissioner for Economy, Domènec RUIZ DEVESA (S&D, ES) and Sven SIMON (EPP, DE), Rapporteurs

Parlamentsledamöterna har antagit åtgärder för att hjälpa EU-länderna att skydda sina intressen mot ekonomisk utpressning och snedvridande marknadspåverkan från tredjeländer. EU-länder kan utsättas för tvångsåtgärder från länder utanför EU som är missnöjda med vissa politiska ståndpunkter. Samtidigt kan utländska subventioner undergräva principen om lika villkor på EU:s inre marknad. Läs mer om instrumentet mot tvångsåtgärder och förordningen om utländska subventioner.

Skydda EU:s ekonomi från orättvis påverkan utifrån

Europe's economic situation has been hit by the energy crisis resulting from Russia's aggression in Ukraine. Member States are coping with the new situation by promoting trade through the single market that exists within their territory. Boosting digitalisation brings many benefits to society as well. The EU wants to strengthen its digital sovereignty and set standards, rather than follow standards set by others, to make Europe fit for the digital age. This infoclip shows factories, industries and shops, workers in their trades and citizens using electronic devices.

Infoclip: Economy, energy and digital

Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), President of the Group of the European People's Party (EPP) of the European Parliament and Esther de LANGE, EPP VP responsible for Economy and Environment, hold a press conference on his group's priorities during the plenary session in Strasbourg. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check agaisnt delivery.

Press conference by Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), EPP Group Leader and Esther de LANGE (EPP, NL) responsible for Economy and Environment - EPP Press Briefing

Phones, computers, electric cars… they all use batteries. And demand is increasing rapidly.    
 
The European Parliament has approved new rules to reduce the impact on the environment, ensuring minimum standards for recycling batteries and their component materials.

Circular economy: getting more life from batteries

On 27 April, ENVI Members vote on the own-initiative report on the Sustainable Textiles Strategy. The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles is an integral part of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan. It sets out to create a coherent framework to facilitate the transition of the textiles industry to a more sustainable and climate-neutral model by 2030. Specific ambitions include ensuring that textile products placed on the EU market are durable, recyclable and made largely of recycled fibres, free of hazardous substances and produced in full respect of human and workers.

Infoclip: Circular economy: sustainable textile strategy (updated version)

MEPs debate on the reform of Emissions Trading System including for aviation and the maritime sector, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and a new Social Climate fund. In particular, during the debate they discuss deals reached with EU countries in late 2022 on several key pieces of legislation that are part of the “Fit for 55 in 2030 package”. This is the EU’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels in line with the European Climate Law. Statements by José Manuel FERNANDES (EPP, PT), Valérie HAYER (Renew, FR), Margarida MARQUES (S&D, PT), Mauri PEKKARINEN (Renew, FI), Izabela-Helena KLOC (ECR, PL) and by Paolo GENTILONI, European Commissioner for Economy.

Joint debate - Fit for 55: statements by José Manuel FERNANDES (EPP, PT), Valérie HAYER (Renew, FR), Margarida MARQUES (S&D, PT), Mauri PEKKARINEN (Renew, FI), Izabela-Helena KLOC (ECR, PL) and by Paolo GENTILONI, European Commissioner for Economy

MEPs discuss on recent revelations concerning Uber’s lobbying practices in the EU. In particular, the plenary debate inquires about the situation of Uber drivers in Europe, and the extent to which Uber’s former lobbying activities have affected their labour and social rights. Closing statements by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs.

Revelations of Uber lobbying practices in the EU: closing statements by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and by Jessika ROSWALL, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs

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