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The recent cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated a longstanding problem with housing affordability in the EU. Higher building costs and mortgage rates, together with a related decrease in housing construction, have made access to home ownership more difficult. At the same time, investors use housing as a vehicle for investment. Growing numbers of people are struggling to access affordable housing, whether to rent or to buy, particularly in cities. Across Europe, homelessness is rising. In addition ...

This study explores the current and future flexibility needs in the electricity system as well as existing and potential solutions to efficiently integrate renewable energy and facilitate electrification of end-uses. Key findings highlight the importance of flexible electricity generation, demand response and energy storage solutions for daily, weekly, and seasonal flexibility provision. However, challenges persist due to inadequate market rules and regulatory frameworks, and economic issues. The ...

Urban agriculture is the practice of producing, processing and distributing food within cities and built-up peri-urban areas. A growing phenomenon worldwide in recent decades, it encompasses a wide range of food production activities, but also includes urban greening and delivers social, educational and recreational benefits. Despite growing interest and the rise of projects and networks across cities, urban agriculture remains largely confined to local or regional levels, with limited coverage in ...

One in four people in the European Union has some form of disability. Over time, the EU has paid more attention to the issue of free movement for persons with disabilities, and in February 2016 it launched a European disability card scheme as a pilot project in eight Member States. Based on the experience and assessment of the EU disability card pilot project and the European parking card for persons with disabilities, the European Commission launched a legislative initiative on 6 September 2023 ...

Under the EU Treaties, Member States have to consider their economic and employment policies as a common concern, and coordinate their action within the Council. The Council adopts employment guidelines that must be reflected in the Member States' employment policies and reform programmes. Before adopting these guidelines, Parliament is consulted on the draft, but the Council is not bound by Parliament's opinion. During the October II plenary session, Parliament is due to adopt an opinion on this ...

Regions and cities play an important role in the implementation of EU laws, as many EU policies are executed at local or regional level. Regions and cities are usually the first point of contact between citizens and political authorities. Engaging with them can have a positive impact on the implementation of EU policies, and may also help to bring the EU closer to its citizens, thus enhancing its democratic legitimacy. During the October II plenary session, the European Commission is due to give ...

Dan Jørgensen has most recently served as Danish Minister for Development Cooperation and Minister for Global Climate Policy. His role has been to oversee Denmark's international development initiatives and global climate policies, including co-facilitating COP28 climate negotiations and co-chairing a number of working groups and alliances. Jørgensen is a member of the Social Democratic Party in Denmark, which is affiliated to the S&D group in the European Parliament. He has been a member of the ...

The recent cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated a longstanding problem with housing affordability. Higher building costs and mortgage rates, and the related decrease in housing construction have made access to home ownership more difficult, while investors use housing as a vehicle for investment. In many cities, rents have risen, owing in part to high demand for short-term rentals. While housing policies are the responsibility of the Member States, housing is set, for the first time, to become a ...

According to a 2022 Eurobarometer survey, while two out of three young Europeans wish to contribute to the green transition through their jobs, 45 % of young Europeans lack green skills. In the United States (US), a new traineeship programme, the American Climate Corps (ACC), has been operational since June 2024. It allows young people to enter paid traineeships that provide them with important skills for green professions. Young people in the US have welcomed the initiative, which offers a chance ...

In the European Union (EU), over two thirds of the population reside in urban areas (cities), generating more than 85 % of the EU's gross domestic product (GDP). In some EU Member States, the proportion of the urban population is likely to continue growing, posing additional challenges for cities. These challenges include ensuring affordable housing and job opportunities, as well as providing adequate infrastructure and transportation services. One solution to these challenges is the Urban Agenda ...