In 2019, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen assumed office with a new climate roadmap: the European Green Deal. The European Green Deal extends to many different sectors, including clean energy, transport, food, industry and the circular economy. The Green Deal's main goal is to transform the European economy and become climate neutral by 2050. Additionally, achieving a key legal target to cut emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. Both

The International Energy Agency reports that since 2015, the global market for six major clean energy technologies - solar photovoltaic, wind, electric vehicles, batteries, electrolysers, and heat pumps has grown almost fourfold, reaching US$700 billion in 2023. The market for essential clean technologies is expected to almost triple by 2035 under current policy settings. Clean energy technologies enable to achieive net-zero emissions across power, transport, and are essentia

On 10 June, Dublin set out its programme for Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which begins on 1 July 2026, following the conclusion of Cyprus’s presidency. The presidency of the Council of the European Union rotates among EU Member States every six months. In this role, the presiding country chairs most Council meetings, helps set the institution’s work programme and agendas, and represents the Council in dealings with other EU institutions.

Food is commonly associated with ingredients, storage, and expiration dates. However, a less visible but significant risk lies in contamination from Food Contact Materials (FCMs). These are substances used in food packaging, processing, storage, transport and distribution that can transfer chemicals into food (European Commission, 2020). Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to serious health concerns, including hormone disruption, cancer, and metabolic disorders (Inter

On 3 June 2026, the European Commission published the European Semester report. The 2026 cycle of the European Semester aims to sets the priorities for coordinated EU action to strengthen EU competitiveness, resilience, social cohesion and strategic autonomy (European Commission, 2026). The Spring package is aligned with the Union's Competitiveness Compass, which is going to strengthen Europe's economy by closeing the innovation gap, accelerating the transition to clean energ

The European Commission presented today its “simplification” of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). It includes some relief in administration, but for importers of timber, soy, palm oil, cocoa, coffee, rubber and cattle, the reality remains complex. The simplification has not lead to deregulation, but is more of a shift from theoretical ambition to operational pragmatism. Let’s start with what has not changed. Importers are still responsible for: Full traceability to the