News

AI & Robotics

AI Act moves ahead in EU Parliament with key committee vote

AI Act enters final phase of EU legislative process

The outstanding concerns surrounding generative AI

Chips & Semiconductors

EU institutions reach agreement on European Chips Act

Cybersecurity

EU launches Cyber Solidarity Act to respond to large-scale attacks

EU seeks to bridge cyber-skills gap with new ‘academy’

Cyber Resilience Act - EU lawmakers are closing in on the file

Telco

Update on the Gigabit Infrastructure Act (GIA)

Mobility

To prevent outages, EU scientists want electric vehicles and the grid to talk

Electricity Market & Grid

Key lawmaker wants revenue cap in EU electricity market reform

Electricity market reform: New front opens in Brussels on nuclear energy

EU countries fail to agree position on electricity market reform

Hydrogen

Hydrogen industry slams commissioner over ‘counterproductive’ statements

AI & Robotics

AI Act: All the open political questions in the European Parliament

Chips & Semiconductors

EU Parliament’s leading committee readies final position on Chips Act

Cybersecurity

EU Council reconsiders critical products in new cybersecurity law

Telco

EU Commission moves to link ‘fair share’ debate with the metaverse

EU Commission launches Connectivity Package with ‘fair share’ consultation

Mobility

EU Parliament gives green light to combustion engine ban from 2035

Germany to abstain on combustion engine ban without e-fuel proposal

Buildings

Parliament adopts position on law to green EU houses by 2050

Buildings directive: EU Parliament moves to save mandatory energy performance standards

Electricity Market & Grid

EU launches debate on electricity market reform amid rising consumer bills

Need for speed as EU launches debate on electricity market reform

Growing demand puts EU electricity grid under pressure

Energy Policies

EU announces own green industry plan in global subsidy race

Hydrogen

EU’s future hydrogen grid takes shape after Parliament vote

EU Parliament backs pro-nuclear definition of ‘low-carbon’ hydrogen

AI & Robotics

• European Parliament finalises the Artificial Intelligence (AI) draft report
  
• AI regulation filled with thousands of amendments in the European Parliament
• French Presidency issued a number of new compromise texts on the AI Act (1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6)
  
• Czech Presidency sets out path for AI Act discussions

Cybersecurity

• EU’s cyber incident reporting mechanism does not work

Green ICT

• Digital revolution ‘ecological catastrophe’ without change
• Smartphones, laptops to use same charger in EU as of 2024
  

Technological Sovereignty & Electronics Industry

• Experts call for focus on quantum computing in Chips Act
  
• Czech EU presidency proposes compromise text on the Chips Act

Buildings

• To boost renovation, EU wants to reset single market for construction materials
  
• EU urges building insulation push in bid to end reliance on Russian gas
• Lawmaker pushes ‘neighbourhood’ approach in revised EU buildings law

Energy Policies

• Parliament backs EU plan to award ‘green’ label for gas, nuclear investments

Gas

• EU agrees gas storage rules under shadow of Russian cut-offs

Hydrogen

• Hydrogen will be ‘pivotal element’ in future economy
• Hydrogen industry scores EU win with draft ‘additionality’ proposal

Mobility

• EU nations approve end to combustion engine sales by 2035
• Lawmakers back EU-wide ban on new fossil fuel cars from 2035, despite strong lobbying

Renewable

• EU ministers back 40% renewable energy target for 2030
  

Standardization

• The risk of fragmentation for international standards
• AI standards set for joint drafting among European standardisation bodies

AI & Robotics

• Europe’s bid for AI standard faces long road
  

Cybersecurity

• EU countries to call for the establishment of a cybersecurity emergency fund

Digital Policy

• European Commission puts forth EU’s values and principles for the digital age

Technological Sovereignty & Electronics Industry

• EU Commission’s Chips Act and semiconductor package
• What the Chips Act doesn’t say: The environmental challenge of producing semiconductors
• US chip manufacturer Intel announces €33bn investment in Europe
• Big European countries likely to gain the most from EU chip push
• Ukraine war could further disrupt semiconductor production

Research & Innovation

• EU Commission presents toolkit to tackle foreign interference in research

Buildings

• Climate impact of new buildings still too high
• Renovation takes centre stage as buildings’ energy use fuels Russian war effort

Energy Policies

• EU puts green label for nuclear and gas officially on the table
• Fury in Parliament as EU green taxonomy deadline expires
• Lawmakers urge Brussels to ditch green label for gas in EU taxonomy
• EU green finance advisors slam Brussels over nuclear, fossil gas
•  

Gas

• International Energy Agency presents 10 measures for the EU to reduce its dependence on Russian gas

Hydrogen

• Ensuring the effective integration of hydrogen within the EU’s energy system
• Energy grid operators rule out ‘all electric’ scenario for Europe

Grid Flexibility

• Power grid flexibility vital to ‘avoid blackouts’

Maritime 

• EU shipping plan leaves millions of tonnes of CO2 unregulated

Renewable

• Key lawmaker tables radical overhaul of EU’s renewable energy directive
• Widespread support in EU Parliament for 45% renewable energy target

AI & Robotics

• EU Council presidency pitches significant changes to AI Act proposal
• Countries want more innovation and less burden in AI Act
  
• MEPs demand strict rules over AI applications in criminal matters

Cybersecurity

• ITRE Committee adopts NIS2 Directive
• EU countries to ‘explore the potential’ of a joint cyber unit
  
• European Parliament calls for increased EU cybersecurity capacity
  

Data policy

• New EU law for data-sharing adopted

Technological Sovereignty & Electronics Industry

• Tech sector warns against politicisation of EU semiconductor industry

Research & Innovation

• Digital Europe funding approved by Commission
• European Innovation Council Forum launched at Brussels summit
• EU must accept UK into Horizon Europe

Buildings

• Draft EU law introduces new standards to decarbonise buildings by 2050
  

COP 26

• EU reacts to COP26 deal
• UN climate agreement clinched

Gas/Hydrogen

• EU’s upcoming gas reform to address storage, joint procurement
  
• EU gas market overhaul puts consumers, hydrogen at the centre
• EU plans single database to certify carbon content of hydrogen, low-carbon fuels
• EU points to upcoming gas market reform in response to price surge

AI & Robotics

• EU data watchdogs want ban on AI facial recognition
  
• Commission yearns for setting the global standard on artificial intelligence
  

Cybersecurity

• EU lawmakers demand strong security against cyber threats
• EU vision for a Joint Cyber Unit
• European Commission President announces cybersecurity law for connected devices

Technological Sovereignty & Electronics Industry

• Leading chip-maker answers EU call to scale up European capacity
  
• Europe’s first digitalised chip plant opens in Dresden
  
• Germany to invest billions to bring semiconductor production back to Europe
  
• Ideological debate over EU industrial strategy heats up
  
• Mastery of technology is central to the ‘new geopolitical order’
  
• European Commission to launch Chips Act in bid for strategic autonomy

Mobility

• EU signals end of internal combustion engine by 2035
  

Green & Sustainable ICT

• Digital industry afraid of being seen as a polluter, says Commission adviser
  

Buildings

• EU energy ministers support doubling renovation rates by 2030
  

Climate and Carbon Neutrality  

• EU Climate Law passed with opposition from the Greens
• EU unveils plan to cut emissions 55% by 2030
  

Gas/Hydrogen

• EU countries clash over scale of future hydrogen imports
  
• EU’s green hydrogen plans hailed as ‘true game-changer’ by industry
  

Grid Stability

• European electricity grid can handle 50 million heat pumps without jeopardising grid stability

Renewables 

• EU unveils plan to increase renewables share in energy mix to 40% by 2030

AI & Robotics

• EU launches AI package proposal in bid to become world leader

Data

• Health experts call for the GDPR revision for cross-border health data sharing
  

Digital Policies

• Green MEPs urge Commission to ensure digital transition ‘does not hamper’ green one
  
• EU explores chipmaker alliance in search of ‘strategic autonomy’

Research & Innovation

• EU nations scold Commission on plans to exclude UK from research groups
• EU says it’s ready to invest ‘significant’ funds in chip sector

Mobility

• Deployment of EU electric vehicle charging stations too slow, auditors say

Buildings

• Energy-efficient buildings should be ‘new normal’, says EU’s Simson

Climate and Carbon Neutrality  

• Breakthrough as EU negotiators clinch deal on European climate law
• EU carbon market will be extended to buildings and transport, von der Leyen confirms

Gas/Hydrogen

• Fossil gas ‘has no viable future’, EU’s Timmermans says
  
• World powers race to develop ‘green’ hydrogen
  
• Energy ministers urge for regulatory framework on hydrogen
  
• Gas grid operators outline plans for expanded EU ‘hydrogen highway’
  
• EU Parliament backs ‘low-carbon’ hydrogen, despite Green opposition

Renewables 

• EU urged to keep ‘low-carbon fuels’ out of renewable energy mix
• LEAK: EU’s draft renewables law confirms 38-40% target for 2030

AI & Robotics

• Commission reveals details on future EU robotics policy
  
• The future for next-generation AI in the EU

Cybersecurity

• EU charts cybersecurity certification scheme for 5G
  
• Council adopts cybersecurity strategy conclusions

Data

• Commission in bid for EU data sovereignty with digital decade targets
  
• EU leaders to call for progress in common data spaces

Digital Policies

• EU ‘punching well below its weight’ in digital technologies
  
• Council approves €7.6B Digital Europe plan for cutting-edge tech
  
• EU looks to drones, space communication to get ahead in tech race

Mobility

• Europe needs charging infrastructure

Buildings

• EU countries back green building renovations, but quiet on binding standards

Climate and Carbon Neutrality  

• ‘Very big tasks ahead’ in EU climate law negotiations
  
• EU unveils data-driven climate adaptation strategy
  
• EU readies reforms to Energy Charter Treaty as climate criticisms mount
  
• EU pushes for fossil fuel phase-out

Environment & Sustainability

• Lawmakers back mandatory targets in EU circular economy action plan

Gas/Hydrogen

• Europe pulls ahead in global race for hydrogen
  
• Green fuels and gases will be subject to sustainability certification

Renewables 

• Renewable industry coalition launches ‘policy charter’ to scale up green hydrogen

Green Deal and Recovery Plan  

• European Parliament approves green recovery fund

AI

• MEPs mull over ‘significant risks’ of Artificial Intelligence
  
• EU rights watchdog warns of pitfalls in use of AI
  
• Portugal presidency to focus on adopting first EU artificial intelligence law
  

Cybersecurity

• EC unveils new cybersecurity strategy
• Bucharest to host EU’s new cybersecurity centre
  

Digital Policies

• EC unveils the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA)

Mobility

• EC unveils the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy
• Connected cars can help curb emissions, says study

Buildings

• ‘Complete overhaul’ of buildings needed to meet EU’s 2030 climate goal

Climate and Carbon Neutrality  

• EU Commission launches climate pact to bring public on board with Green Deal
  
• EU countries agree 2030 climate goals before battle with lawmakers
  
• Deal on European climate law is ‘big priority’ for Portugal at EU helm
• Which technologies should be in the EU’s climate action toolbox?

Environment & Sustainability

• Circular economy can cut CO2 emissions by 39%, a study says

Gas/Hydrogen

• Gas wins recognition as ‘transitional technology’ to climate neutrality
  
• Power-to-X: Germany’s search for green fuels
  
• EU bets on blue hydrogen ‘to break chicken-and-egg problem’
  
• MEPs back natural gas as a ‘bridge’ to 100% renewable hydrogen

Renewables    

• Shift to renewables ‘significantly decreased’ emissions, EU agency says
  
• Renewables overtook fossil fuels as EU’s main power source in 2020

AI

• EU nations call for ‘soft law solutions’ in future Artificial Intelligence regulation

Cybersecurity

• EU cyber resilience pushed ‘to limit’ amid Coronavirus, report says
• German EU presidency pushes for cybersecurity ‘by design’ in connected devices
  

Digital Policies

• Von der Leyen charts Europe’s ‘digital decade’

Digital and Climate Skills

• Upskilling Europe: The path to a green and digital future
  

Climate and Carbon Neutrality  

• EU chief announces 55% emissions reduction target for 2030
  
• EU Parliament votes for 60% carbon emissions cut by 2030
• UN chief presses EU to agree tougher climate change target
  
• EU drafts deal to upgrade 2030 climate change target
  

Smart Buildings

• EU launches ‘renovation wave’ for greener, more stylish buildings
  
• This is the moment to renovate your buildings, EU tells member states
  
• Energy performance in buildings is key to meeting 2030 emissions target [opinion]

Gas/Hydrogen

• Hydrogen transport costs will vary on a case-by-case basis, industry says
  
• Renewable or ‘low-carbon’? EU countries face off over hydrogen

Green Deal and Recovery Plan

• Green EU funding is decided, now it must be spent wisely
  

Renewables    

• EU aims for 25-fold growth in offshore wind by 2050

AI

• US Corporations are talking about bans for AI. Will the EU? [opinion]
• Artificial Intelligence: The time for ethics is over [opinion]
• Vestager warns against predictive policing in Artificial Intelligence
• Germany calls for tightened AI regulation at EU level
• Commission will ‘not exclude’ potential ban on facial recognition technology
  

Contact Tracing Apps

• EU under tight schedule for ‘interoperable’ summer COVID apps

Cybersecurity

• Commission presents security strategy to tackle Europe’s evolving threat landscape
• EU sanctions Russian intelligence, North Korean, Chinese firms over alleged cyberattacks

Digital Policies

• Gabriel outlines key areas for EU digital education action plan

Mobility

• Common rulebook on automated driving gets go-ahead
• Germany’s EU presidency: A chance to boost electric cars at home and abroad [opinion]

Climate and Carbon Neutrality  

• Timmermans defends higher EU goals on climate change
• EU’s 2030 climate plan makes case for 55% emissions cut
  
• EU lawmakers up the ante, vote for 60% climate target for 2030

Energy sector integration

• MEPs push for uniform EU concept on energy storage

Gas/Hydrogen

• Industry alliance rebels against ‘all-renewable’ hydrogen
• Renewable hydrogen: a strategic opportunity for global green recovery [option]
  
• Draft EU methane strategy shies away from binding emissions standards

Green Deal and Recovery Plan

• EU opens bidding for €1 billion from clean technology fund
  

Renewables    

• Renewables overtake fossil fuels in EU power generation

AI

• MEPs chart path for a European approach to Artificial Intelligence

Blockchain

• Power grid operators launch blockchain for home and car batteries
  

Contact Tracing Apps

• EU contact-tracing application toolbox
• EDPB issues privacy warnings with respect to contact tracing apps

Digital Policies

• One year of EU copyright reform
• Croatian Presidency pushes for new Commission 5G and 6G action plan
• EU Ministers to chart Europe’s digital future with post-COVID19 commitments

Buildings

• EU building ‘renovation wave’ set for launch in September

Climate and Carbon Neutrality  

• EU lawmakers debate 65% climate target proposal

Energy sector integration

• Sector Coupling [Policy Brief]
• EU says hydrogen will be ‘central’ to energy system integration

Gas/Hydrogen

• EU weighs options for gas grid in zero carbon world
  
• Gas industry urged to ‘accelerate’ transition to hydrogen

Green Deal and Recovery Plan

• ‘Green recovery alliance’ launched in European Parliament
  
• Green finance to be ‘key focus’ of post-virus recovery phase
• Green Deal to be the motor for the recovery

Coronavirus

• Commission presents practical guidance to ensure the free movement of critical workers
• EU leaders back ‘green transition’ in pandemic recovery plan
• Europe warned about virus impact on clean tech

Digital Policies

• Photonics, the ‘Green Deal’ technology [interview to Lucilla Sioli]

Data 

• Commission touts importance of ‘data for common good’ amid COVID-19 privacy concerns
• EU privacy rules no obstacle to coronavirus fight; smartphone tracking a no-no

Climate and Carbon Neutrality

• EU debuts climate law ‘compass’
• Manufacturing and selling technologies based on oil and gas must be stopped if we want Europe to go carbon neutral [opinion]
• A way to climate neutrality [opinion]

Gas

• Energy ‘sector coupling’ requires 75% more electricity, study says
• The road to 2050 should be fossil gas pipelines free [opinion]

Renewables

• Commission to present offshore wind strategy in October
• EU announces ‘Clean Hydrogen Alliance’ for launch in the summer
• Sustainable green hydrogen requires binding criteria [opinion]

Environment & Sustainability

• EU unveils circular economy plan 2.0

Digital Policies

• Prospect of EU digital policies in 2020 - a geopolitical programme

• Google chief Sundar Pichai calls for international alignment in the future regulation of AI
  
• Commission considers facial recognition ban in AI ‘white paper’
  
• The US administration calls on EU leaders to avoid heavy AI regulation

Data Privacy

• Thierry Breton: European companies must be ones profiting from European data
  
• EU seeks ‘lawful’ ways of intercepting 5G communications

Climate & Sustainability

• Parliament adopts its position on the European Green Deal
• EU’s new climate fund - The Just Transition Mechanism

Renewable gases

• EU plans big increase in green gas to meet climate goals
  
• Renewable gases bring European jobs that cannot be outsourced
  
• Renewable gas to foster transport decarbonisation

Digital Policies

• Commission presents strategies for Data and Artificial Intelligence
• Europe’s digital vision, explained
  
• Leaked document on a future EU industrial strategy

AI

• Facial recognition tech breaches EU data protection rules
• The EU is ignoring AI’s effect on the climate crisis [opinion]
  

Data

• Europe wants single data market to break US tech giants’ dominance

Cybersecurity

• Macron calls for attribution, cybersanctions to stop Russian election meddling

ICT & Sustainability

• The EU is ignoring AI’s effect on the climate crisis [opinion]
• ICT’s potential for sustainability
• Europe plans to harness ‘power of data’ in support of Green Deal

Gas

• Sector coupling is absolutely key for Europe’s climate and energy ambitions [interview]
• EU spending on LNG and other gas projects may not be in line with the Union’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement
  
• European Commission is preparing a strategy to curb methane emissions from the oil and gas industry