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Timely, cost-efficient expansion and modernisation of the European energy infrastructure is one of the key challenges in the EU's ongoing energy transition. Grid development is needed to ensure energy supply security, increase the resilience of Europe's energy system and integrate the rapid roll-out of renewable energy sources. Cross border infrastructure plays a vital role in connecting national energy networks. Meeting the 2030 interconnection targets is particularly important for completing the ...

Expansion and modernisation of the energy infrastructure in Member States is one of the key challenges of the ongoing energy transition in the EU. The electricity grids need to develop in order to ensure the security of energy supply, increase the resilience of Europe's energy system, and integrate the rapid roll-out of renewable energy sources, particularly at the distribution level. Given the peristent challenges relating to permit-granting procedures and delays in grid connection approvals at ...

This study provides an overview of the EU policy instruments, including Cohesion Policy Funds, that are used in disaster response and recovery. It assesses their contribution to strengthening resilience to climate change and to meeting disaster-relief and reconstruction needs. The study also examines how the ‘Build Back Better’ approach can be integrated into future Cohesion Policy to ensure that disaster-affected areas are rebuilt in a more resilient and sustainable manner. Recommendations are provided ...

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the adoption, design, and impact of Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and Contracts for Difference (CfD) across the EU. It assesses current trends, market effects, and policy frameworks, and proposes actionable recommendations to resolve barriers to wider uptake. This document was provided by the Policy Department for Transformation, Innovation and Health at the request of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE).

Recent climate related disasters, health crises and security threats have highlighted the need to build a resilient Union, capable of anticipating and effectively managing future disasters and crises based on an all hazards approach. More comprehensive and integrated crisis management, requiring close and efficient cooperation between the EU and Member States, is essential for addressing complex and long lasting crises impacting several sectors simultaneously. To this end, and as part of the proposed ...

Starting in 2026, the EU will address the future of the European emissions trading system (EU ETS). The existing ETS (ETS1) aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial and energy installations, aircraft operators and maritime transport by setting a price on carbon through a cap-and-trade system, while a separate ETS for road transport, buildings and other sectors (ETS2) will start operating in 2028. The ETS1 succeeded in reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the covered sectors ...

The Commission is proposing to revise the market stability reserve for the buildings, road transport and additional sectors covered by the EU emissions trading system. The targeted amendments aim to reinforce the capacity of the reserve to intervene if the price of carbon escalates in these sectors.

Farmers' health is inseparable from food security. However, occupational hazards, infectious diseases and psychosocial pressures reduce productivity, weaken farm viability and threaten the sustainability of the EU's rural communities and food systems. Farmers face daily risks from accidents involving machinery and vehicles, falls from height, drowning, electrocution, and injuries related to livestock handling, alongside exposure to biological agents such as dust, fungi, ticks and zoonotic diseases ...

This briefing focuses on the Impact Assessment (IA) accompanying the 6th revision of the Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic substances Directive 2004/37/EC (CMRD). The IA states that more than 170,000 workers still lose their lives each year due to work-related illnesses. The IA identifies five problem drivers and details the consequences. The need for an added value EU action is explained in a subsidiarity grid. The general objective is broken into four specific objectives. The preferred options ...

In July 2023, the Commission tabled a package of three proposals for the greening of freight transport, including one on the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive, which sets limits for heavy goods vehicles in international road transport. The proposal seeks to promote the use of zero-emission trucks by allowing these to exceed standard weight limits, while clarifying the rules on the use of heavier and longer vehicles in cross-border transport operations between countries, where such ...