EU policy news

This section summarises recent EU policy news and opportunities that are relevant to geoscientists. It includes recently passed legislation, EU funding opportunities and EU Commission consultations.

The tags on the right-hand side of this page can be used to easily locate open EU funding calls sourced from the EU’s participant portal and the EU Commission consultations that are most likely to be of interest to EGU members. EU consultations allow individuals and organisations to provide expertise or submit their opinion on a particular issue.

If you would like to inform others about an EU geoscience-relevant news item or opportunity that is not listed below, please forward the details to the EGU’s Policy Officer, Chloe Hill via policy@egu.eu.

7 items found

Commission invites top experts to shape new research and innovation missions

General policy news
21 May 2019

The EU Commission has recently published a call for experts for the five Horizon Europe Mission “Boards”. Each of the EU Missions will contain a portfolio of actions intended to achieve a bold and inspirational goal within a set timeframe. These EU Missions include: Adapting to climate change, including societal transformation; Cancer; Healthy oceans, seas, coastal and inland waters; Climate-neutral and smart cities; and Soil health and food. The 15 experts on each of the five boards be tasked with advising the EU Commission on the design of the Missions as well as the actions and research needed to support their respective objectives. Each board is expected to meet four times per year and each meeting likely to be a day and a half. All board members will be remunerated for their services and time dedicated. The deadline for applications is midday 11 June.

Eurobarometer survey reveals awareness is generally increasing on the importance of biodiversity

General policy news
6 May 2019

In December 2018, a survey was carried out in the 28 EU Member States with 27,643 respondents from different social and demographic groups. Since the last Eurobarometer on biodiversity in 2015, citizens’ understanding of the importance of biodiversity for humans has increased. The vast majority of citizens consider we have a responsibility to look after nature (96%). There has also been a marked increase in those who totally agree that biodiversity is indispensable for the production of food, fuel and medicines (91%), and in those who consider that biodiversity and healthy nature are important for long-term economic development (92%). The Eurobarometer results come at a crucial moment, as biodiversity loss captures global media attention and rises on the international political agenda.

Commission adopts common methodology to measure food waste across the EU

General policy news
6 May 2019

Each year around 20% of food produced in the EU is lost or wasted, causing unacceptable
social, environmental and economic harm. Thanks to the 2018 revised EU waste legislation, specific measures on food waste prevention have been introduced which will provide the EU with new and consistent data on food waste levels. The new waste legislation requires Member States to implement national food waste prevention programmes and reduce food waste at each stage of the supply chain. The Delegated Act is subject to scrutiny by co-legislators and will be sent to the Parliament and the
Council by the end of July.

The European Commission’s Chief Scientific Advisors call for an evidence-based policy response to pre-empt the growing risks of microplastic pollution

General policy news
30 April 2019

In its sixth scientific opinion, on the Environmental and Health Risks of Microplastic Pollution, the European Commission’s Group of Chief Scientific Advisors, informed by a scientific evidence review report by the Scientific Advice for Policy by European Academies (SAPEA) consortium, stated that while considerable uncertainty surrounds the ecological and health risks of microplastic pollution, these risks will increase in the future if microplastic pollution continues at its present rate. The report recommended that existing policy should be broadened to prevent and reduce microplastic pollution. It also recommended that a co-ordinated international response be taken to increase research collaboration, data sharing and standards development for measurement, monitoring and risk assessment.

Climate change citizen initiatives

General policy news
30 April 2019

European Citizen’s initiatives allow citizens to shape Europe by calling on the European Commission to make a legislative proposal. Once an initiative gathers 1 million signatures, the Commission decides on what follow-up action to take. On April 30 two citizens initiatives were suggest that relate to climate change: ‘The fast, fair and effective solution to climate change’ and ‘Ending the aviation fuel tax exemption in Europe’.

Commission delivers on Circular Economy Action Plan

General policy news
31 March 2019

The European Commission published a comprehensive report on the implementation of the Circular Economy Action Plan it adopted in December 2015. The report presents the main results of implementing the action plan and sketches out open challenges to paving the way towards a climate-neutral, competitive circular economy where pressure on natural and freshwater resources as well as ecosystems is minimised. Three years after adoption, the Circular Economy Action Plan can be considered fully completed. Its 54 actions have now been delivered or are being implemented.

EIC Horizon Prize for ‘European Low-Cost Space Launch’ (open until 01 June 2021)

EU funding
20 June 2018

The European Low-Cost Space Launch is a larger-scale grant (10 million). The proposal should outline an innovative and commercially viable solution that enhances Europe’s access. Furthermore, it should provide strategic and competitive advantages for European companies, SMEs, universities, and research organisations.

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