The dramatic consequences of climate change and environmental degradation have brought the need for a more sustainable economy to the top of the agenda. Transforming the EU economy to make it more sustainable requires large investments, especially for enabling a green and low-carbon transition. Given that the public sector alone cannot cover this financial need, solutions have been sought to bring the private sector on board.

EPRS policy podcast - Green and sustainable finance

The arrival of the Covid-19 vaccines marks a turning point in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. According to estimates, coverage of at least 60 % to 75 % is needed to establish population immunity through vaccination. But, as regards Covid-19 vaccination, surveys suggest that Europeans are among the most sceptical in the world.

EPRS policy podcast - Covid-19 vaccination campaigns: The public dimension

The European Parliament and its elected Members are the citizens’ voice in the European Union. That’s why we want to make Parliament accessible to everyone. News in Brief gives you a quick overview of the day’s main topics in all official Union languages. This broadcast is brought to you by the European Parliament. You can find more programmes here:

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In her first State of the Union speech, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for the use of qualified majority voting (QMV) in areas such as sanctions and human rights. The crises and security challenges accumulating in and around the European Union have added to the urgency of having a more effective and rapid decision-making process in areas pertaining to the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

EPRS policy podcast - Qualified majority voting in foreign and security policy: Pros and Cons

Efforts to curb carbon emissions are falling short. As climate change impacts become all too clear, geoengineering is again in the spotlight. Some see it as a last-resort option to fight climate change. Detractors highlight the risks and uncertainties. Will governments end up ‘tinkering with Earth's thermostat’?

EPRS STOA podcast - What if we could engineer the planet to help fight climate change?

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Solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic are more effective when they are developed and adopted at European level. This is what the Parlemeter 2020 survey, which was conducted last November and December, tells us. Confidence in the European Union is rising and the desire for the European Parliament to play a greater role in decision-making is becoming stronger. However, fears are growing about the crisis looming on the horizon.

Eurobarometer Parlameter 2020_EN

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DEVE - Confirmation hearing of Jozef SÍKELA, European Commissioner-designate for International Partnerships

PECH - Confirmation hearing of Constantinos KADIS, European Commissioner-designate for Fisheries and Oceans

AFET - AFCO - INTA

AFCO

AFET

INTA

Committee on Budgetary Control

CONT

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

ITRE

Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

ENVI

Panel for the Future of Science and Technology

BUDG - ECON

BUDG

ECON

Subcommittee on Security and Defence

SEDE

SEDE - ITRE

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Natalia GAVRILIȚA, Prime Minister of Moldova

Committee on Fisheries

Subcommittee on Human Rights

DROI

Committee on Development

DEVE

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

LIBE

Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection

IMCO

Committee on Culture and Education

CULT

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

EMPL

Special Committee on COVID-19 pandemic

COVI

Address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President, to a joint session of the Oireachtas, Official visit to Dublin

IMCO -  Vote on data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services

EMPL - Voting session

SEDE Committee - Public Hearing: the European defence industry and the urgent need to replenish defence stockpiles within the EU

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to New York (United States) - Opening Session of the 78th General Assembly of the United Nation

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to New York (United States) - Keynote Speech and Questions and answers with audience at Columbia University

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to New York (United States) - Speech at the Reception hosted by the World Jewish Congress

DROI -  Exchange of views on the human rights situation one year after the death of Iranian Masha Amini

IMCO - Presentation of the Spanish Presidency of the Council programme

SEDE Committee - Exchange of views with Margarita Robles, Minister of Defence of Spain, on  Spanish Presidency of the Council programme

TRAN - Exchange of views with European Coordinators for the TEN-T: North Sea-Med Corridor, ERMTS, Motorways of the Sea

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to New York (United States) - Concordia Summit, on "Europe's Global Leadership" in a conversation with José Manuel BARROSO, former President of the European Commission

METSOLA, Roberta [12252]; president's agenda [14907]; 9th parliamentary term [14157]; New York [2909]; United States [4240]

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to New York (United States) - Meeting with António GUTERRES, Secretary General of the UN

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to New York (United States) -  Visit to Italian Consulate

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to New York (United States) -  Guided Tour & Visit to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum

Alessandro CHIOCCHETTI - EP Secretary-General, meets with a Danish delegation

EP Plenary session - Oral question - Segregation and discrimination of Roma children in education

EP Plenary session - Voting session

EP Plenary session - Oral question - Improving firefighters’ working conditions

Timber trades in the Republic of Congo and Cameroon inch towards sustainability as MEPs consider the first of a series of agreements with African states.

Partnerships for sustainable forestry

The EU has ratified the UN Convention on Disability Rights, which should allow people with disabilities to play a fuller part in society in the future.

Implementing disability rights

Hope for a better future for persons with disabilities as the EU ratifies the UN Convention on their rights. Health is a priority of next week's plenary.

The News: Rights for the disabled - Next week's agenda

Reports on cross-border patients' rights and Alzheimer's will be up for the vote. Serbia moves closer to the EU in a vote on the stabilisation agreement.

Next week in Strasbourg

What does the new year hold in store for Europe's common currency? After the crises of 2010, we hear the prognosis for 2011.

Quo vadis, euro?

Several million Europeans suffer from Alzheimer's. MEPs take a stand in favour of more research into the disease in the EU.

Facing memory loss

Estonia has joined the eurozone despite last year's turmoil: what next for the euro? MEPs support research into Alzheimer's, the bane of millions of Europeans.

The News: 2011 forecast for the euro - Alzheimer's disease

Increase deficits or cut budgets? Europeans are divided over how to save the euro. Improving protection for online shoppers.

The News: Eurozone crisis -  Consumer Rights

If the euro is to regain its form, leaner and slimmer budgets are imperative says the Commission.

Saving the euro

How can the EU raise consumer confidence in online shopping and realize the internet’s potential as a gateway for crossborder trade?

Protecting Consumers

New media laws in Hungary, which now holds the EU presidency, worry some MEPs.

Fears for press freedom

How can Europe cut child obesity levels? Do new Hungarian media laws threaten press freedom?

The News: Fighting Fat – Press Restrictions

The World Health Organisation has called it an epidemic. What can Europe do to fight the fat?

Child Obesity

Could a eurobond save a weakened eurozone? Belarus goes to the polls. MEPs set out their legislative wish list for 2011.

The News: Eurobond – Belarus Elections – 2011 Agenda

Crossborder healthcare, single market reform, climate change and credit ratings agencies all feature on the MEPs� legislative to do list for the coming year.

2011 Agenda

Eurozone leaders need to fend off attacks from the markets, but would a eurobond save the zone or further entrench weaknesses?

Eurobond Stirs Debate

In power for 16 years, Alexander Lukashenko looks set to win again. The EU has never recognised his rule and asks for human rights abuses to end before relations warm.

Belarus goes to the polls

The Parliament approved new rules for divorcing international couples, who will soon be able to choose which EU country's law governs their breakup.

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