Publications Office Newsletter July 2018

Spotlight on the future of EU energy and climate policy

Climate change, and in particular the rise in global temperatures caused by human activity, has long been a primary issue in the EU and international political agendas, since it represents one of the most serious threats to the well-being of humankind. The EU has established itself as a leading force in the field due to its proactive role in the international climate debate, along with its dynamic internal climate policy. The latter is strongly related to its energy policy, the objectives of which, besides environmental protection, are to secure supplies, increase energy efficiency and expand the internal energy market.

Did you know that the EU Member States have agreed a target of at least a 40 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, or that members of the European Parliament have called upon the European Commission to prepare a mid-century zero-emissions strategy? Find out more interesting facts in the following publications on the topic.

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Climate action

In this factsheet you can read in brief what the EU does to cut greenhouse emissions and address the unavoidable consequences of climate change. EU action on climate change seeks to tackle changes to the Earth’s climate, in particular the rise in global temperatures. Higher temperatures have many consequences, such as flooding or droughts in areas previously immune to such threats and extreme weather events that jeopardise food production, especially in poorer countries.

Available in all the official languages of the EU

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The EU and energy union and climate action

This factsheet describes what the main problems in the European energy landscape are and what the EU is doing to address them. Our way of life is such that energy is vital for essential day-to-day services. Without it, neither we nor our businesses can function. However, making sure we have all the energy we need, at a price we can afford, both now and in the future, is not easy.

Available in all the official languages of the EU

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Shaping the future of energy in Europe

Clean, smart and renewable

Signals, an annual publication of the European Environment Agency, looks into Europe’s transition towards clean, smart and renewable energy. We have reached a point in time at which we have a critical decision to make: we have the negative impacts of our current energy choices on the one hand, and the opportunities that energy sources offer on the other.

Available in Bulgarian, English, French, German, Polish, Slovenian, Turkish

Research

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Nanomedicine (Research* EU)

Innovative ways of treating challenging conditions

Conditions often associated with later life, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, along with diabetes, are debilitating to the sufferer and a challenge to EU healthcare systems. Therefore, the potential breakthroughs nanomedicine can offer are being carefully and enthusiastically researched through a variety of EU-funded projects, some of the most promising of which are highlighted in this CORDIS results pack.

Available in English

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To Mars and beyond (Research* EU)

Europe’s push to the final frontier

The European Space Agency continues to envision a potential international human mission to Mars by 2025, whether it uses the Moon as a take-off station or is planned to take off directly from Earth. Until then, multiple robotic missions will be required to make sure that we know as much as possible about Mars and how to get there safely. Various EU-funded projects are working hard to get us there. In this 73rd edition of the research*eu results magazine, we shed light on efforts preparing the ground for the Exomars mission and several other very interesting related topics.

Available in English

Also out recently

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Handbook on European data protection law

2018 edition

This handbook is designed to familiarise legal practitioners who do not specialise in data protection with this emerging area of the law. It provides an overview of the EU’s and the Council of Europe’s applicable legal frameworks. It also explains key case-law, summarising major rulings of both the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights. In addition, it presents hypothetical scenarios that serve as practical illustrations of the diverse issues encountered in this ever-evolving field.

Available in English

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Study on the added value of the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) and its revision

Study

The European citizens’ initiative (ECI) is aimed at bringing the EU closer to its citizens by enabling them to invite the European Commission to make a proposal for a legal act. Introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon, the ECI should provide every citizen with the right to participate in the democratic life of the EU. However, the ECI in practice has faced various procedural hurdles, preventing the fulfilment of the regulation’s objectives. The present study outlines the weaknesses in the existing ECI procedure. Moreover, it assesses, with a view to their added value, the main reform proposals that have been put forward to improve the functioning of the ECI.

Available in English

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52 steps towards a greener city

This booklet contains 52 suggestions on how to support urban biodiversity throughout the year. It includes practical things you can do every day, activities to start or join in your community, how you can help research by watching and recording wildlife and how to use sustainable techniques in your garden.

Available in all the official languages of the EU

With 1 year to go to the European Parliament elections in May 2019, the latest Parliament Eurobarometer survey confirms citizens’ steadily growing support for and favourability towards the European Union. Over two thirds of respondents are convinced that their country has benefited from being a member of the EU. This is the highest score that has been measured since 1983. Moreover, for the first time a majority of citizens think their voice counts in the EU. Almost a third of respondents already today know the date of the Parliament elections in 2019. Trend results show that this positive development started in the second half of 2016, which may be related to the ‘wake-up call’ experienced after the Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom.

Available in English

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European stories

EUPL: winners write Europe

In 2018 the European Union Prize for Literature is celebrating its 10th anniversary. To mark this special occasion the EUPL writing contest ‘A European story: EUPL winners write Europe’ was organised. Thirty-six EUPL-winning authors from a total of 26 different countries submitted fascinating European stories, which are compiled in this publication along with translations into English.

Each story in the original language along with English translation

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European drug report 2018

Trends and developments

The Trends and developments report presents a top-level overview of the drug phenomenon in Europe, covering drug supply, use and public health problems, along with drug policy and responses. Together with the online Statistical bulletin and 30 country drug reports, it makes up the 2018 European drug report package. This report is based on information provided to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction by the EU Member States, the candidate country Norway and Turkey in an annual reporting process. The purpose of the current report is to provide an overview and summary of the European drug situation and responses to it.

Available in all the official languages of the EU except Irish and Maltese. Also in Norwegian and Turkish.