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Establishing an EU talent Pool EN

02-02-2024 PE 757.786 DEVE LIBE EMPL CULT
Briefing
Resumé : The problem definition and problem drivers in the impact assessment (IA) appear to be well-supported by evidence. The IA provides a well-structured analysis of the existing situation and the likelihood for the problem to persist. The IA identifies the initiative's general and specific objectives, which appear to be specific, achievable, relevant and time-bound, but not measurable, as recommended by the Better Regulation Toolbox 'S.M.A.R.T.' criteria. The IA does not define more detailed operational objectives as recommended by the BRG; instead, it provides a list of performance monitoring indicators directly linked to the specific objectives. The IA provides a sufficient range and description of the policy options. It offers an assessment of the options and presents the intervention logic in a clear and transparent manner, where the options are linked to the problem drivers and the specific objectives and their drivers. The IA analyses, in a comprehensive and balanced manner, qualitatively and, where possible, quantitatively, the main expected economic, social and fundamental rights, and environmental impacts, covering specifically effectiveness, efficiency and coherence. The IA explains how the preferred option would contribute to the SDGs; however, additional SDGs (e.g. SDG 5 on gender equality) should have been examined. The analysis of impacts on third and developing countries would have benefited from more attention, given the strong external dimension of the proposal. The IA provides a comprehensive summary of the preferred option's (PO2) costs and benefits for the affected stakeholder groups. It is transparent about data uncertainties and assumptions. Stakeholders were widely consulted and their views were taken into account. The preferred option enjoys broad stakeholder support, with any divergent views sufficiently presented in the dedicated annex of the IA. Overall, the annex on stakeholder consultation appears to be very informative and comprehensive; however, the feedback from this consultation strategy could have been better reflected in the IA, particularly regarding the available policy options and their potential impacts. A SME test was carried out. However, it appears that no targeted SME consultation was conducted. The Commission made efforts to take the RSB's comments into account, but some weaknesses remain (for example, as regards the description of the specific objectives in S.M.A.R.T.er terms, and a more in-depth analysis of the impacts on third and developing countries).
Stillere : Andriana EFTHYMIADOU

Policy Departments’ Monthly Highlights January 2024 EN

Oversigt
Stillere : ANDRZEJ SANDERSKI, ANNA MANGINI

Developing countries' energy needs and priorities under a sustainable development perspective: The specific case of Africa and green hydrogen EN

23-11-2023 PE 754.438 DEVE
Briefing
Resumé : Africa is the continent most affected by energy poverty, with more than 40 % of its population lacking access to electricity. This is in spite of an extremely high potential for renewable energy generation and an increasing number of fossil fuel developments on the continent. Through its development cooperation programmes, the EU has committed significant funds to reduce energy poverty in its partner countries in Africa. These programmes aim to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 7, which commits the international community to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy by 2030. This report takes stock of these efforts by investigating the major challenges to universal access to energy in Africa and the efficacy of the EU programmes trying to overcome them. It also examines how these efforts may interact with the external aspects of the EU’s Green Hydrogen strategy, which foresees significant imports of green hydrogen from African partners by 2030. The report analyses the strategy from the perspective of the Policy Coherence for Development.
Stillere : Eduardo SÁNCHEZ JACOB, Timo GERRES & Rafael COSSENT ARÍN

Commitments made at the hearing of WOPKE HOEKSTRA, Commissioner-designate on Climate Action EN

17-10-2023 PE 754.186 DEVE ENVI AFET ITRE
Briefing
Resumé : The Commissioner-designate, Wopke Hoekstra, appeared before the European Parliament on 2 October 2023 to answer questions put by MEPs from the Committees on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), Foreign Affairs (AFET), Development (DEVE) and Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). During the hearing, he made a number of commitments which are highlighted in this document. These commitments refer to his portfolio, as described in the mission letter sent to him by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, including on Climate Action.
Stillere : Michal MALOVEC, Georgios AMANATIDIS, MALTE FREDERIK HERGADEN

The implementation of EFSD+ operations from an inclusive perspective EN

12-07-2023 PE 702.595 DEVE
Studie
Resumé : By providing guarantees and subsidies for loans as well as capital investments, the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) is expected to contribute to inclusive development and related goals such as inclusive growth, poverty eradication, the reduction of socio-economic inequalities and support to vulnerable groups. This study analyses how this inclusive approach by the EFSD+ is being applied in practice. It examines data on implementation of the European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD), EFSD+’s predecessor, to present the challenges and opportunities of using reimbursable aid for promoting inclusive development. Data analysis is further complemented with case studies on concrete investments in three EU partner countries: Ghana, Jordan, and Zambia. Information available on the functioning of the EFSD+ Open Architecture, including a list of Proposed Investment Programmes, is then analysed to shed light on how the EFSD+ inclusive approach improves upon that of the EFSD. This analysis focuses on the allocation of funds across sectors, countries and channels, as well as the definition and measurement of inclusive development outcomes, along with the prevention of unintended negative impacts. It is concluded that inserting the EFSD+ into EU aid’s overall programming is enhancing its inclusive approach, but actual results still need to be produced and reported. The study concludes with some recommendations for the European Parliament to use its scrutiny capacities to improve still further the reporting of the EFSD+ inclusive development outcomes.
Stillere : Aitor Pérez, Noor Albhakit, Beatriz Ruiz

The UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 10-19 July 2023, New York EN

27-06-2023 PE 740.088 DEVE ENVI
Briefing
Resumé : Midway of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the High-Level Political Forum 2023 marks a pivotal point in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The impact of the multiple crises of the past years, as well as the interlinkages and synergies of the SDGs present both challenges and opportunities for a systemic approach towards our common objectives. For the global community not to lose the progress in this global decade of action, there is a need for the EU to take the lead, both in domestic policies and international cooperation. Conclusions from the Eurostat Monitoring Report 2023, Sustainable Development Report 2022 and civil society analysis point to the EU’s progress on social-economic SDGs, and notes insufficient progress on environmental objectives and global partnerships. Thus, there is a strong need for policy coherence, financing frameworks and political will to ensure the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the objectives set out in the Paris Climate Agreement.
Stillere : Nora HILLER

EU critical raw materials act EN

Briefing
Resumé : As the first EU act specifically regulating the EU's CRM supply, the proposed initiative aims to address an area previously identified as one of the EU's strategic dependencies. Following a clear problem description, the IA presents three (partially overlapping) policy options and a thorough analysis of their possible impacts, with a clear focus on economic impacts. The identification of the preferred policy option appears justified. The predominantly qualitative assessment draws merely on desk research and stakeholder input. In this respect, the IA admits to having 'significant data gaps' and a 'limited' evidence base, owing in part to 'the lack of a supporting study'. With regard to stakeholder input, the IA does not explain why the public consultation was open for only 8 weeks (instead of the default 12). It is notable that the proposed regulation deviates somewhat in scope from the IA: it adds a further specific objective – namely to diversify CRM imports in order to reduce strategic dependencies – and provides for a few measures that were either not assessed at all in the IA, or which were outside the preferred policy option.
Stillere : Irmgard ANGLMAYER

Policy Departments’ Monthly Highlights - February 2023 EN

Oversigt
Resumé : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Policy Departments’ Monthly Highlights - January 2023 EN

Oversigt
Resumé : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Achieving the UN Agenda 2030: Overall actions for the successful implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals before and after the 2030 deadline EN

22-12-2022 PE 702.576 DEVE
Indgående analyse
Resumé : The European Union (EU) has a strong leadership role, globally and regionally, in implementing the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development but as a matter of urgency its ambitions now need to be translated into strategies and actions. Major global crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and climate change, have all effectively reversed progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and further exacerbated interrelated challenges relating to poverty, inequality, carbon emissions, education, health, economic growth and finance. The increasing likelihood of Agenda 2030 objectives not being met within the expected timeframe calls for major transformation in: SDGs’ financing; ecology and green recovery; citizens’ empowerment; political commitment to collective action; as well as cooperation between public, private and non-profit sectors. Achieving SDGs would be better served by adopting an overarching EU strategy for the Agenda 2030, to include: SDGs in the European Semester; the Green Deal; countries’ recovery processes; increased collaboration between EU and United Nations institutions; and support for other countries in levelling up SDG achievements globally. This would not only provide positive signals for reassuring Agenda 2030 but also enhance countries’ commitment to sustainability. This In-Depth Analysis aims to assist the European Parliament by contributing to policy and legislative debates ahead of the 2023 SDG Summit.
Stillere : Kalterina SHULLA, Walter LEAL FILHO

Workshop Enhancing Policy Coherence for Development EN

09-12-2022 PE 702.571 DEVE
Studie
Resumé : The principle of Policy Coherence for Development (PCD) is a central pillar of the EU's efforts to enhance the effectiveness of development cooperation. It represents both a legal and a political commitment for the EU institutions and the Member States. This report includes an in-depth analysis on PCD and the summary of the debate held during a workshop on the same topic, which brought together MEPs, representatives of EU and international organisations and civil society. The workshop aimed to take stock of the latest developments in the application of PCD and sought to generate ideas for improvement. Although several policy prescriptions on PCD already exist as part of legal provisions and different tools have been put in place, there is a continued mismatch between the ideal and practical implementation of PCD. The discussions were organised in two successive sessions: a first panel focused on the conceptual PCD approaches rooted in legal provisions and policy strategies. The experts debated the understanding of PCD from the perspective of different international actors - the EU, OECD, UN - and its significance for meaningful policy impact in developing countries within the framework of Agenda 2030. A second panel explored challenges and gaps in PCD implementation. The discussion also focused on the importance of maximising synergies between policy areas in PCD implementation and of performing impact assessments that capture the effects on developing countries for all EU policies.
Stillere : Ondřej HORKÝ-HLUCHÁŇ

Policy Departments’ Monthly Highlights - November 2022 EN

Oversigt
Resumé : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Policy Departments’ Monthly Highlights - October 2022 EN

Oversigt
Resumé : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Tracking the EU Commissioners’ commitments - Von der Leyen Commission, 2019 - 2024 EN

Briefing
Resumé : This document is a compilation of briefings that track the commitments made by the Vice-Presidents and Commissioners to the European Parliament – in their written answers to Parliament’s questions, at their hearings, and, in some cases, in subsequent appearances before Parliament’s committees. The document provides an overview of the state-of-play at the mid-term of the von der Leyen Commission. Since many of these commitments were made, major international crises have shifted some political priorities. The Vice-Presidents’ and Commissioners’ progress on their commitments should be considered in this context.

Tracking the EU Commissioners’ commitments - Von der Leyen Commission, 2019 - 2024: Janez Lenarčič EN

20-09-2022 PE 639.324 DEVE
Oversigt
Resumé : This briefing follows up the commitments made by the commissioner since 2019.

Tracking the EU Commissioners’ commitments - Von der Leyen Commission, 2019 - 2024: Jutta Urpilainen EN

20-09-2022 PE 639.325 DEVE
Oversigt
Resumé : This briefing follows up the commitments made by the commissioner since 2019.

Policy Departments’ Monthly Highlights - September 2022 EN

Oversigt
Resumé : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Food security and nutrition as keys to human development EN

31-07-2022 PE 702.566 DEVE
Studie
Resumé : The increase of severe food insecurity is a major point of concern. At the request of the Parliament’s Development committee, two briefings were prepared to explore the role of food security and nutrition as basic interventions in development policies. By drawing on a series of ‘stories from the field’, the first briefing showed the importance of focusing on supporting local food systems, while incorporating a household-centric view of crop diversification and resilience. The second briefing built further on those field insights to formulate a set of critical policy principles that can generate a sustained impact, and be applied to all food security programming environments, from relief to development to fragile food system environments resulting from extreme weather, pandemics, or violent conflict. The aspects raised by the briefings were further discussed at a DEVE hearing on ‘food security and nutrition as keys to human development’, which brought together various international and regional experts. This report presents the briefings together with the hearing report to highlight key aspects in the execution of the ‘right to food’ principle and the commitments from the Food Systems and Nutrition for Growth Summits as well as good practices in achieving food and nutrition security in different countries.
Stillere : Paul Sommers and Alaia White

Workshop Environmental criminality in developing countries EN

07-07-2022 PE 702.565 DEVE
Studie
Resumé : The workshop explored the different ways to tackle environmental criminality in developing countries. Bringing together a wide range of international experts as well as local representatives from developing countries, the workshop sought to identify existing gaps in policy and legal responses, and generate debates about how the identified gaps can be filled. The first panel focused on the prevention and the fight against environmental crimes in developing countries. In doing so, it drew on lessons learned from different developing countries, including best practices and entry points for addressing environmental crimes. The second panel concentrated on the new EC proposal for a Directive on the protection of the environment through criminal law. It discussed possible ways of reinforcing the external dimension of this Directive with the objective of making it more suitable and effective to prevent, prosecute and punish environmental crimes committed in developing countries. The second panel also discussed the pertinence of including new categories of environmental crimes in the Directive and in particular the ‘ecocide’ crime. It further addressed the corporate criminal liability for crimes committed outside Europe by European companies and the need to extend the criminal territorial jurisdiction to prosecute these crimes. Other aspects highlighted included ways to reinforce the human rights perspective in the Directive, for instance by revisiting the concept of victims and highlighting the lack of collective action for victims to lodge complaints or their right to compensation. This report brings together the in-depth analysis prepared by experts for the workshop and a summary of the debate with Members, representatives of EU and international organisations, legal specialists, NGOs and environmental human rights defenders.
Stillere : Ragnhild SOLLUND, Tanya WYATT

Multilateralism and Democracy. A European Parliament perspective EN

Indgående analyse
Resumé : This analysis looks into the complex relationship between two trends in international governance: an increase in multilateral arrangements between countries in order to govern internationally on the one hand, and a lack of democratic control over the decisions taken by multilateral organisations or conferences on the other. Multilateralism in the modern sense refers to an international mode of operation involving peaceful negotiations and diplomacy, also referred to as a ‘rules-based international order’ or ‘rules-based multilateralism’. Several European countries have recently launched initiatives in support of multilateralism, in reaction to the increasingly unilateral behaviour of states undermining the existing rules-based international order. Apart from the European Union, no other multilateral organisation has a parliamentary body with the competence to block or amend its decisions, which indicates that there is a democratic deficit in these multilateral organisations. An initial response to such a democratic deficit is the involvement of national parliaments in international decision-making. This is known as ‘parliamentary diplomacy’. Secondly, the involvement of civil society in international decision-making through protests, petitions, consultations or participation can also enhance democracy. Thirdly, the organisation of national referenda on international decisions can be used by national governments or citizens’ initiatives to increase democratic legitimacy. Fourthly, a lack of democracy at international level can also be countered by creating an ‘alliance of democracies’, aimed at multilateral cooperation between democratic countries rather than the democratisation of multilateral organisations. These are mostly alliances of Western countries, which risks emphasising the differences between West and East or North and South. Three short case studies of parliamentary diplomacy with the strong involvement of the European Parliament (the Parliamentary Conference on the World Trade Organization (WTO), delegations to the Conferences of Parties of climate change agreements and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly) show that enhancing multilateral democracy is not the only aim of parliamentary diplomacy and that each case reveals a different mix between the ‘parliamentary’ aspect of democratisation and the ‘diplomacy’ aspects of information exchange or influencing.
Stillere : Mario DAMEN

Policy Departments’ Monthly Highlights - July 2022 EN

Oversigt
Resumé : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

The role of remittances in promoting sustainable development EN

23-06-2022 PE 702.563 DEVE
Indgående analyse
Resumé : International remittance flows have proven their resilience through the COVID-19 pandemic-induced economic crisis in spite of initial expectations forecasting their decline and associated devastating consequences for development in recipient communities and countries. This calls for some reflection on the nature and behaviour of these flows, with a particular focus on aspects that might explain their countercyclical behaviour and distinctive patterns. Context-appropriate policies are required to leverage the development impact of each remittance corridor, in terms of: location; transfer channels; sender and recipient profiles; and use by recipients. Thought should also be given to the impact of: poverty reduction; protection against shocks; and increased ability to invest in human and physical capital. Above all, a holistic vision must be maintained to allow for a complete understanding of this complex phenomenon. Political actions for strengthening the role of remittances on development have so far mostly focused on reducing the costs of sending remittances through formal channels, but the overall landscape of responses is still fragmented, insufficiently developed and facing significant challenges.
Stillere : Iliana OLIVIÉ, María SANTILLÁN O'SHEA

Policy Departments’ Monthly Highlights - June 2022 EN

Oversigt
Resumé : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

The future of the European Financial Architecture for Development EN

03-05-2022 PE 653.665 DEVE
Studie
Resumé : The workshop, organised at the request of the Committee on Development (DEVE) on 7 February 2022, provided a brainstorming platform for an exchange of views between Members of the committee, invited experts and various stakeholders, on the future of European Financial Architecture for Development (EFAD). It examined the state of play and the decisions made by the Council to pursue the ‘status quo +’ option, as well as other alternative options and scenarios, such as the establishment of a European Climate and Sustainable Development Bank. It provided recommendations on the best way forward, including on the roles of the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and EU Member States’ development finance institutions, also in the context of the ‘Team Europe’ approach and the implementation of the NDICI-Global Europe regulation. The workshop was accompanied by written briefings by external experts, feeding into the drafting process of the committee’s own-initiative report on the subject-matter. Two panels corresponding to the thematic focus of the experts’ briefings were held as follows: Panel 1: ‘Evaluation of the state of play of the European Financial Architecture for Development’ and Panel 2: ‘The roles of the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and EU Member States’ development finance institutions’. This report compiles the briefings, and a summary of the debate.
Stillere : Mikaela GAVAS; Aitor PÉREZ

Policy Departments’ Monthly Highlights - May 2022 EN

Oversigt
Resumé : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Values on the retreat? The role of values in the EU’s external policies EN

Studie
Resumé : There is a general perception in Western countries that the role of values as a foreign policy driver is currently on the decline. This study in the series ‘global trends in external policies’ seeks to contribute to the debate by investigating what is meant by ‘values’, whether their importance is on the wane and, if so, how this manifests itself, and how the European Union (EU) can respond to these trends. The broad concept of values has therefore been split into five categories. Socio-cultural values are implicit drivers of foreign policy. In the case of the EU, these are characterised by diversity. ‘Political values’ is used as a term to describe the fundamental principles of political and public action, defining the relationship between the state and its citizens. For the EU, these are often referred to as the triad of human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Economic values characterise the nature of the prevailing economic system in a country. The EU advocates a social market economy. The term ‘Earth values’ refers to the inclusion of environmental considerations in external policies. The EU has become a leader in promoting sustainability. Resulting from the preceding four are ‘international order values’, which characterise the overall international outlook of actors. The EU’s international order value is ‘principled pragmatism’. This study compares the EU’s values with those of four reference countries: the US, Turkey, Russia and China. The US in the West comes closest to many of the EU’s values, but does not overlap completely. Turkey and Russia are in the EU’s Eastern neighbourhood and increasingly disagree with the EU on values. Chinese values overlap least with the EU’s values. The study confirms a decline in the influence of the political values preferred by the EU. This decline appears to correspond to a clear West-East spectrum. However, the study also notes an opposite trend of increasing influence of Earth values. For these, a Eurocentric spectrum appears more adequate. For economic values, the definition of trends depends on benchmarks and methodology. The international order notion of ‘principled pragmatism’ has been extended to ‘EU strategic autonomy’. Values are often considered as part of EU strategic autonomy and some policies, such as EU accession or trade policy, incorporate them. A values-based approach to external policies should differentiate according to the partner country and the value category concerned. Whereas cooperation on political values does not appear to be fruitful with certain countries, continued efforts on economic or Earth values may still be possible. The study explores what such a differentiated approach could mean for the four reference countries in the near future. Such an approach should also take into account the differing perceptions of partner countries. Although positive avenues of cooperation on, for example, Earth values are still possible, geopolitical tensions, partly rooted in differing values, are overshadowing this path.
Stillere : Mario DAMEN

Policy Departments’ Monthly Highlights - April 2022 EN

Oversigt
Resumé : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

Policy Departments’ Monthly Highlights - March 2022 EN

Oversigt
Resumé : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

The implementation of the 2030 Agenda’s principles of ‘leaving-no-one-behind’ and ‘addressing the needs of those furthest behind first’ in the EU’s development policy EN

19-01-2022 PE 653.657 DEVE
Studie
Resumé : The UN 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals includes SDG 10 on Reducing Inequalities as well as a commitment to Leave No-One Behind (LNOB). The European Union (EU) committed itself to achieving these goals both internally and, through its new 2017 European Consensus on Development, to support partners in their achievement worldwide. This study considers what progress the EU has made in addressing inequality, SDG 10 and the LNOB principle since then. The report undertakes an extensive literature review of the topic noting the importance of adopting a multidimensional approach that goes beyond financial aspects and looks at multiple sources of disadvantage and discrimination. It considers the trends in global poverty and inequality and notes in particular the rise of income and wealth inequality within countries over the last few decades. It also explores the impact of climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, both of which are unequally impacting countries around the world, and on groups and individuals within them. The study identifies a growing international consensus on both the importance of addressing inequality and the best policies to adopt. It concludes that the EU has actively participated in this debate and is committed to contributing further. Its policies could usefully be updated and strengthened in the light of COVID-19. The new EU Budget (2021-27) and Team Europe initiative should help with implementation, but mobilising and maintaining the necessary political will may prove to be the biggest challenge.
Stillere : James MACKIE; Gill ALLWOOD

The future of humanitarian aid in a new context full of challenges EN

21-09-2021 PE 653.651 DEVE
Studie
Resumé : In light of the current highly challenging background of humanitarian intervention for the European Union and international humanitarian donors, the European Commission has adopted a Communication on the EU’s humanitarian action: new challenges, same principles. It provides guidelines on how the EU may face this challenge in collaboration with Member States and donor partners. The Communication focuses on two main areas: (1) addressing needs, reducing the funding gap, and (2) supporting an enabling environment for humanitarian aid. Through an analysis of the Communication’s seven objectives, the authors address key actions and provide final recommendations. Furthermore, authors evaluate which key actions are the most promising, critical or challenging, which have already been partially implemented and which should be prioritised. Implementation of the key actions is generally well developed, albeit many are found to share certain critical issues. These refer specifically to the need for: increased transparency and accountability; enhancing EU coordination with donor partners; and significantly strengthening the EU’s leadership role. Moreover, the implementation of key actions must take greater account of dialogue and coordination both in the decision-making phase as well as in the implementation of humanitarian aid on the ground.
Stillere : Francesca PUSTERLA; Elia R.G. PUSTERLA

Policy Departments’ Monthly Highlights - February 2021 EN

Oversigt
Resumé : The Monthly Highlights publication provides an overview, at a glance, of the on-going work of the policy departments, including a selection of the latest and forthcoming publications, and a list of future events.

The use of pesticides in developing countries and their impact on health and the right to food EN

08-01-2021 PE 653.622 DEVE
Studie
Resumé : This study provides a broad perspective on the main trends regarding the use of pesticides in developing countries and their impacts on human health and food security. Information is provided on the challenges of controlling these hazardous substances, along with the extent to which pesticides banned within the European Union (EU) are exported to third countries. The analysis assesses the factors behind the continuation of these exports, along with the rising demand for better controls. Recommendations are intended to improve the ability for all people, including future generations, to have access to healthy food in line with United Nations declarations. These recommendations include collaborating with the Rotterdam Convention to strengthen capacity building programmes and the use of the knowledge base maintained by the Convention; supporting collaboration among developing countries to strengthen pesticide risk regulation; explore options to make regulatory risk data more transparent and accessible; strengthen research and education in alternatives to pesticides; stop all exports of crop protection products banned in the EU; only allow the export of severely restricted pesticides if these are regulated accordingly and used properly in the importing country; and support the re-evaluation of pesticide registrations in developing countries to be in line with FAO/WHO Code of Conduct.
Stillere : Swagata SARKAR, Juliana DIAS BERNARDES GIL, James KEELEY, Niklas MÖHRING, Kees JANSEN

Cash for development? The use of microcredits and cash transfers as development tools EN

17-12-2020 PE 653.624 DEVE
Studie
Resumé : Microcredits and cash transfers are two distinct tools, but they both target poor households and individuals with cash alike. This report provides details of the latest advances in these cash-for-development tools at a time when the EU is reshaping its development finance tools for the 2021-27 period. Through a literature review, our study provides the current state of knowledge on microcredits and cash transfers. It then considers current EU support for these modalities and assesses this support in light of the main findings and conclusions drawn from the literature. Research reveals much evidence confirming cash-for-development tools’ contributions to poverty reduction. Furthermore, it identifies a second layer of positive economic effects resulting from their use that can be of value when determining responses to the Covid-19 crisis. Moreover, even though microfinance and cash transfers have undergone exponential growth in recent decades, their use remains very limited at EU Institution level. The report recommends that a broader and more systematic use of cash-for-development tools should be explored by EU Institutions, albeit framed within broader programming and context analysis.
Stillere : Aitor PEREZ, Nicolas AYENSA, Maricruz LACALLE

Intra-African Migration EN

28-10-2020 PE 603.514 DEVE
Studie
Resumé : This study provides a broad perspective of the main trends in intra-African migration, emphasising its regional variations and complex drivers. The analysis is focussed on mapping and describing the structures – routes, hubs, settlements and sites of migration within the continent – as well as identifying the relevant infrastructures that facilitate these movements – ranging from road, railway and transportation networks to social connectivities and brokerage. The analysis not only of spaces and flows, but also of infrastructure within these networks shows that there is a multiplicity of interrelations, interconnections and interdependences that need to be captured and understood in order to address both the potential and problems for intra-African migration. By grasping the ‘big picture’ of intra-African migration, policies and activities generated by both the African Union and the European Union will be capable of providing comprehensively integrated and tailored responses. Recommendations are directed towards: improving knowledge of the many structures and infrastructures, along with their articulations and functioning; identifying the negative and positive aspects of migration conducive to sustainable development; and addressing the present Africa-Europe polarisation of views through diplomacy and monitoring.
Stillere : Cristina UDELSMANN RODRIGUES, Jesper BJARNESEN

Commitments made at the hearings of the Commissioners-designate - von der Leyen Commission 2019-2024 EN

Oversigt
Resumé : This document provides links to all Briefings produced by the Policy Departments of the Directorate-General for Internal Policies and of the Directorate-General for External Policies of the European Parliament, with salient points and essential commitments made by the Vice-Presidents and Commissioners-designates at their respective hearings before the European Parliament, in September-November 2019 and in October 2020. For an exhaustive list of all commitments made and positions taken by the candidates, the full verbatim report of each public hearing is available on the dedicated hearings website of the European Parliament, as are the written questions and answers.

Commitments made at the hearing of Valdis Dombrovskis Commissioner for Trade EN

Briefing
Resumé : The Commission Executive Vice-President/Commissioner-designate, Valdis Dombrovskis, appeared before the European Parliament on 02 October 2020 to answer questions put by MEPs from the Committee on International Trade, in association with the Committees on Foreign Affairs, on Economic and Monetary Affairs, on Development and on Budgets. During the hearing, he made a number of commitments which are highlighted in this document. These commitments refer to his portfolio as Trade Commissioner, as described in the mission letter sent to him by Ursula von der Leyen, President-elect of the European Commission, including: - A level playing field for all; - Strengthening Europe’s global leadership; - Trade for sustainable development and climate action
Stillere : Mario DAMEN, WOLFGANG IGLER

EU development cooperation and ethical certification schemes: impact, transparency and traceability EN

15-07-2020 PE 603.487 DEVE
Studie
Resumé : ‘Transparency’, ‘Traceability’, ‘Sustainable standards’, ‘good agricultural practices’ and ‘zero-deforestation’ are all fine terms which [alongside many others] have emerged in connection with the cocoa sector’s certification process. But does the reality of this process justify using such terms? Our initial conclusions in this study, based on an analysis of existing research over recent years, revealed that a considerable number of investigations had been commissioned by the certification schemes themselves. Key findings presented by the various studies all conveyed a positive tone. However, on closer inspection we felt that smallholders covered by the programmes were ‘following party lines’ rather than speaking freely. This suspicion was well-founded. Having built up trust in the villages during several years of field-work, we eventually gained access to exclusive data held by the cooperatives and certification programmes. We have used this evidence in order to draw a comparison between the virtual world portrayed by certification schemes’ narrative and the real world being faced by cocoa producers. Certification schemes claim that they give a sense of trust within the value chain, particularly in regard to produce traceability. They also claim to assist farmers, by way of training, various inputs (fertilisers etc.) and credit schemes. In reality, these ‘advantages’ are not visible at farm level. Budgets prepared by cooperatives to justify the use of premiums reflect structural flaws in certification and access to information. Serious questions arise surrounding deforestation, child labour and the payment of premiums. Social investment is minimal and consumers’ perception diverges from the reality. In conclusion, we make a number of key proposals and suggestions based on stakeholders’ complaints and recommendations.
Stillere : Enrique URIBE LEITZ, François RUF
Dokumenttype

ANN

The use of development funds for de-risking private investment: how effective is it in delivering development? EN

07-05-2020 PE 603.486 DEVE
Studie
Resumé : The use of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to mobilise private finance is increasingly seen as essential to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Numerous development agencies have set up diverse de-risking initiatives to attract private investment to development projects and the EU is planning to scale up blending support in the near future. Such measures have reportedly been successful in raising private finance and in improving development outcomes, but there are concerns with this approach. Private shareholders may receive funds at the expense of sectors and regions where they are most needed. Funds remain insufficient to plug the SDG funding gap. Blending can create longer-term risks for development agencies and costs for recipient governments. Traditional evaluations often do not capture the full impact of such policies. Furthermore, there is an opportunity cost to using ODA in this way and blending may promote the perspective of financial investors over development outcomes.
Stillere : Kate BAYLISS, Bruno BONIZZI, Ourania DIMAKOU, Christina LASKARIDIS, Farwa SIAL, Elisa VAN WAEYENBERGE
Resumé : Dette dokument er en samling af hovedpunkter og væsentlige tilsagn, som de indstillede næstformænd og kommissærer har fremsat under deres respektive høringer i Europa-Parlamentet. Det har til formål at give et praktisk og præcist værktøj til opfølgning på den kommende Kommissions indsats og handlinger. En udtømmende liste over alle kandidaternes tilsagn og holdninger findes i det fuldstændige forhandlingsreferat for de enkelte offentlige høringer, som er tilgængeligt på Europa-Parlamentets særlige websted om 2019-høringerne ligesom de skriftlige spørgsmål og svar. Dette dokument indeholder et tillæg, der indeholder de tilsagn, der blev givet under høringerne i oktober 2020.

Commitments made at the hearing of Jutta URPILAINEN, Commissioner-designate - International Partnerships EN

22-11-2019 PE 639.309 DEVE
Briefing
Resumé : The Commissioner-designate, Jutta Urpilainen, appeared before the European Parliament on 01 October 2019 to answer MEPs’ questions. During the hearing, she made a number of commitments which are highlighted in this document. These commitments refer to her portfolio, as described in the mission letter sent to her by Ursula von der Leyen, President-elect of the European Commission, including: Building sustainable partnerships.
Stillere : FLAVIA BERNARDINI

Commitments made at the hearing of Janez LENARČIČ, Commissioner-designate - Crisis Management EN

22-11-2019 PE 639.310 DEVE
Briefing
Resumé : The commissioner-designate, Janez Lenarčič, appeared before the European Parliament on 02 October 2019 to answer questions from MEPs in the Committee on Development, in association with the Committee on Environment. During the hearing, he made a number of commitments which are highlighted in this document. These commitments refer to his portfolio, as described in the mission letter sent to him by Ursula von der Leyen, President-elect of the European Commission, including: European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid.
Stillere : Gonzalo URBINA TREVIÑO