Photo by Precious Madubuike on Unsplash The EU’s CO2 emissions reduction targets for new passenger cars will not be achievable as long as important prerequisites are missing, says a report published today by the European Court of Auditors. Despite lofty ambitions and strict requirements, most passenger cars on EU roads still emit the same quantity of CO2 as 12 years…
Reports
Europe’s 5 Crisis Tribes
Photo by munshots on Unsplash There are five defined crisis tribes across Europe’s voting population, and concerns about climate change and immigration will be key mobilising issues for citizens in the run-up to the European Parliament elections and other major ballots in Europe in 2024, according to a new polling-backed study published today by the European Council on…
Protecting Children in Armed Conflicts
In 2022, a total of 2,496 children, some as young as 8-years-old, were verified by the United Nations as detained for their actual or alleged association with armed groups, including groups designated as terrorists by the U.N. The highest numbers were recorded in Iraq, in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and in the Syrian Arab Republi, writes…
Europe Must Defend its Values at Home and Abroad
Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash The past two months have been a troubling and difficult time for Europe. While the war in Ukraine continues to raise concerns about the continent’s security, our attention has been divided by the outbreak of fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East. While both issues are hitting international headlines, on…
Growing role for Social Media in News
Photo by Sara Kurfeß on Unsplash A new survey says most people still rely on TV for news but that social media is catching up fast. A dedicated Eurobarometer survey, published by the European Parliament on 17 November, takes an in-depth look at media habits, including trust in different media sources. Some 68% of respondents recall having recently…
ECA Focus on EU Agency Budget Control
Photo by Diane Helentjaris on Unsplash Some EU agencies did not manage last year’s finances as well as in previous years, according to the European Court of Auditors. In its annual report on the 43 EU agencies, the auditors again signed off the agencies’ 2022 accounts and revenue, but were not in a position to issue a clean…
Digitalisation of Travel Documents
Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash The Commission has published the Special Eurobarometer on digitalisation of travel documents and facilitation of travel. The report explores EU citizens’ views and perceptions of travel policies, as well as the introduction and possible use of digital travel credentials. According to the survey, 68% of Europeans consider that digitalisation of travel documents is…
Wealth Tax
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash The Greens/EFA Group has published a new report highlighting the amounts of tax revenue that, it say, European countries could garner through a small tax on the wealthiest 0.5%. The study,out on Wednesday, finds that even a tax of 1.7-3.5% could bring in as much as €213.3 billion to…
EU Summer 2023 Economic Forecast
Photo by K8 on Unsplash Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and wider geopolitical tensions continue to pose risks and remain a source of uncertainty, says the EC. Furthermore, monetary tightening may weigh on economic activity more heavily than expected, but could also lead to a faster decline in inflation that would accelerate the restoration of real incomes. By…
Workplace Expectations
Photo by Daria Pimkina on Unsplash Although 7 out of 10 employees are satisfied with their jobs, the consequences of the global economic crisis and the war for talent are also finding their way into Belgian households. This is evident from a new global study by professional services provider PwC, the ‘PwC Global Workforce Hopes & Fears Survey’. PwC Belgium also advocates a more inclusive workplace,…