EU Legislation, Initiatives, etc.
EU News: The European Commission last week welcomed the vote by Member States to ban from use in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) emission offset credits from certain projects which destroy industrial gases. Essentially, the ban means that companies will be able to use these credits for 2012 compliance under the EU ETS until 30 April 2013, but not thereafter.
EU News: The European Commission has adopted measures to make participation in the EU's current Seventh Framework Programme for Research more attractive & more accessible to the best researchers and most innovative companies, especially SMEs. Based on the simplification plan unveiled by the Commission in April 2010, these measures will take effect at once.
The measures adopted in the present Commission Decision are based on a broad consensus in this debate, and are also in line with the recommendations of the Expert Group carrying out the Interim Evaluation of FP7 (IP/10/1525).
EU News: Alternative fuels have the potential to gradually replace fossil energy sources and make transport sustainable by 2050, according to a report presented to the European Commission by the stakeholder expert group on future transport fuels. The expert group has developed a comprehensive approach covering the whole transport sector.
EU News: Natural resources, from raw materials to food, water, air and ecosystems, are fundamental to the functioning of our economy and our quality of life, but global strains on them are increasing. Building a more resource-efficient Europe is therefore crucial to the EU’s economic & ecological security. The European Commission has set out its views on a strategic framework that should deliver a more sustainable use of natural resources and the shift towards resource-efficient, low-carbon growth in Europe.
EU News: EU membership negotiations with Croatia can be completed in the first half of 2011 provided its reforms stay on the right track, said Foreign Committee Affairs MEPs in a resolution adopted last week.
Yet the biggest challenge may be ‘selling’ the benefits of EU membership to a sceptical Croatian population. MEPs are very concerned that the majority of Croatian citizens think that Croatia's EU membership would not benefit the country, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey.
Yet the biggest challenge may be ‘selling’ the benefits of EU membership to a sceptical Croatian population. MEPs are very concerned that the majority of Croatian citizens think that Croatia's EU membership would not benefit the country, according to the latest Eurobarometer survey.
EU News: The European Commission has requested the UK to put an end to discriminatory legislation allowing for differential pay of non-UK seafarers linked directly & indirectly to their nationality. The request takes the form of a 'reasoned opinion' under EU infringement procedures. In the absence of a satisfactory response within 2 months, the EC may decide to refer the UK to the EU's Court of Justice.
EU News: Plans to use the enhanced co-operation procedure to create a unitary patent system in the EU, as requested by 12 Member States last year, were approved by the Legal Affairs Committee on 27 January 2011.
The European Parliament as a whole will vote on the proposal during the February Strasbourg session and the Competitiveness Council will examine it on 10 March 2011.
EU News: The European Commission has launched a consultation which will focus on the modernisation of the rules, tools & methods for public procurement to deliver better on these goals. The deadline for responses to the Green Paper is 18 April 2011 – See ‘Consultations’ section for more information.
