European Parliament Innovation Day - Opening speech by David SASSOLI EP President

Meeting on the subject of: Technology at the service of citizens : perspectives and limits.

Phones, computers, electric cars… they all use batteries. And demand is increasing rapidly.    
 
The European Parliament has approved new rules to reduce the impact on the environment, ensuring minimum standards for recycling batteries and their component materials.

Circular economy: getting more life from batteries

The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) is a temporary instrument that is the centrepiece of the NextGenerationEU, the EU’s plan to emerge stronger and more resilient from the current crisis. This program of interventions included in the Italian National RRF for the part under the Ministry of Education's responsibility. Thanks to a total investment of 17.59 billion schools have the opportunity to be able to really play that strategic educational role for the country's growth. It is at school that student accompanied in building competencies and acquiring skills, prepare for the future. This infoclip shows educational robotics, augmented reality and virtual reality, STEM/STEAM disciplines design thinking, modelling and craft 4.0, use of artificial intelligence in education, innovative teaching methodologies, solar-powered system and electrolysis of the last classroom, and pathway to study water cycle.

Infoclip: laboratories to enhance students' skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) – Recovery and Resilience Facility - Brindisi (Italy)

The EU wants to make sure that zero-emission cars and vans are the norm by 2050.   
    
The European Parliament has taken action, pushing to phase out fossil-fueled vehicles and replace them with greener models.    
    
Discover how in our short Q&A animation.

Cutting CO2 emissions with cleaner cars: new EU rules

From smartphones to smart cities, connected objects are generating ever more data. The European Parliament wants to release its potential.  

 
Data is key to innovation in sectors from technology to health, transport to farming. MEPs are concerned too much of it remains untapped or in the hands of tech giants. They want new rules to help smaller companies and public bodies deliver better products and services. The Data Act will set a framework for the economy of tomorrow.

What does the new EU Data Act bring to companies, innovators and Europeans?

Chips and semiconductor materials are everywhere: in your phone, your car, your computer, even in your fridge! The European Parliament wants to make sure enough chips are produced in the EU and that Europeans don’t suffer from shortages.
Your questions on chips, answered by MEP Dan Nica.

Microchips matter! The European Chips Act explained

The single market turns 30 in 2023. It has brought unity and opportunities to Europeans, eliminating old barriers to allow more than 460 million people and business to move, communicate and trade freely across 31 countries.

The European Parliament continues to work to adapt the single market further to respond to current challenges and make full use of its potential.

30 years of the European single market

MEPs are due to finalise measures to speed the green transition and ensure the EU becomes carbon-neutral by 2050.  
 
Europe’s climate goals will be high on Parliament’s agenda in the first half of 2023, with members set to sign off on a ban on polluting vehicles and a tougher emissions trading system.   
 
New rules to boost green fuels and increase energy efficiency will be put to the vote. 
  
Parliament is also set to decide on a common framework for AI technology alongside measures to ensure the digital sector is fairer and safer for all.

Climate goals, AI and the digital economy – coming up in Parliament in 2023

MEPs said ending ransomware attacks is a top priority as they signed off on tough new cybersecurity rules.       

EU citizens, businesses and governments face an increasing threat from hackers and cybercriminals. The European Parliament has approved a harmonised system under the EU’s NIS2 directive, to protect our privacy and finances and ensure a safer online environment.

Tackling the hackers: European Parliament approves cybercrime measures

By 2035, all new cars manufactured for the EU market should produce zero-emissions. This is what Parliament is aiming for with new rules on CO2 emission standards for cars and vans as part of the Fit for 55 package.
 
Older cars (including diesel cars) will be allowed to continue running until the end of their lifetime, but investing in future vehicles starts now.
 
MEPs want car manufacturers to start developing affordable electric cars and vans now, in order to meet market demand by 2035 and reach the EU’s 2050 climate objectives.

Zero-emission cars by 2035: new EU rules explained

Parliament has voted to put an end to dozens of different device chargers and make the USB-C the market standard.  
  
The boom in different charger types in recent years is wasteful, damaging to the environment and costly.  
  
New rules on device chargers for phones, tablets, laptops, e-readers and more, mean from Autumn 2024 manufacturers will have to stick to one standard charger type.  
  
Let’s take a look at how things were before and what will change.

Electronic devices: Parliament adopts the USB-C charger as standard

A single USB-C charging solution, support for Ukrainian refugees in the EU and moves to tackle high energy prices are on the agenda as Parliament returns to Strasbourg. 
  
MEPs are due to vote on a one-size-fits-all charging system for devices like mobile phones, laptops and digital cameras, as the EU moves to reduce e-waste and boost sustainability. Parliament is set to sign off on fast-tracked funds to help both Ukrainian refugees and the European regions that are hosting them. 
 
Members will vote on a new framework to deal with cross-border health threats in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. They are also set to call for a solidarity-based EU response to high energy prices.

Common charger, energy prices and Ukraine - coming up in Strasbourg

Parliament is updating rules on energy efficiency to ensure the EU meets its objective of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The new Energy Efficiency Directive targets energy-intensive sectors such as heavy industry and data centres. It will also encourage local authorities to lead by example and ensure public buildings like schools and hospitals are properly insulated. A recent project in the Slovenian capital Ljubljana has helped show the way.

Energy Efficiency Directive: “We need to be more ambitious.”

Parliament is updating rules on renewable energy. This will help the EU reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. But what will future renewable energy projects look like? This innovative floating wind turbine is just one of dozens of exciting new developments backed by the EU.

Boosting Europe's renewable energy sector

Follow Kacper, Elsa, Gisèle and Michalakis as they take part in the first EU exercise in direct democracy.

Inside the Conference on the Future of Europe

The European Parliament will have a busy agenda when MEPs return in September. They will be looking to ensure the green transition and boost EU energy autonomy in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In addition, Parliament wants to see citizens’ proposals from the Conference on the Future of Europe delivered upon. MEPs are set to quiz the European Commission president during the State of the Union debate and will honour human rights advocates with the Sakharov Prize in December.

What’s in store for the 2nd half of 2022?

Parliament signed off on two pieces of landmark digital legislation for a safer and fairer online environment. MEPs urged EU action to ease exports from Ukraine and ensure global food supplies. They also reaffirmed their support for abortion rights in the wake of the US Supreme Court’s recent ruling, backed plans to improve the EU care sector and agreed Croatia should join the euro.

Plenary highlights: Digital laws, food security and abortion rights.

With the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise of digital and remote working, people have felt increasing stress, anxiety, depression and fatigue. What is the Parliament doing to tackle this mental health crisis? On top of proposing to make 2023 the European Year of Mental Health, report author Maria Walsh is proposing solutions at the EU level: a right to disconnect, better work-life balance and new progressive directives are in the pipeline.

“You can never do enough": Mental health in the digital workplace

Parliament debated the social and economic consequences of the war in Ukraine as the EU prepares to begin phasing out imports of Russian crude oil. Members welcomed the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe and said revisions of EU treaties would be needed to fully implement them. Also debated were proposals for EU electoral reform and World Press Freedom Day. Meanwhile, Parliament set out its position on reducing waste by introducing a single charger for the EU market.

168 results