Green bonds are committed to financing or re-financing investments, projects, expenditure or assets helping to address climate and environmental issues. Both governments and companies use them to finance the transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon economy. Since the EIB inaugurated the green bond market in 2007 with its Climate Awareness Bond, the market has grown very fast, but it still represents only about 3 to 3.5 % of overall bond issuance. The green bond market needs to grow more quickly to achieve the targets in the Paris Agreement. In this podcast, we’ll talk about European green bonds, a tool for financing green investments that can help us make the transition to a low-carbon economy, and how a European standard could be become global.

EPRS policy podcast - European green bonds: A standard for Europe, open to the world

With its recent European Green Deal framework, the EU is striving to achieve climate neutrality in its economy by 2050 and, simultaneously, bring itself on the path of recovery from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Technology will inevitably play a significant part in this process. However, historical experience tells us that culture and aesthetic have too had significant roles in recovery from a crises, be it war, economic recession, or an epidemic.

EPRS STOA podcast - What If Technology And Culture Combined To Boost A Green Recovery?

The marked political shift towards greater technological sovereignty and strategic autonomy within the EU has been given further impetus with the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, which disrupted global value chains and highlighted the case for a more self-sufficient EU model. Important projects of common European interest may be useful tools for creating complex new value chains that have the potential to ensure the EU's long-term competitiveness and economic growth.

EPRS policy podcast - Important projects of common European interest: Boosting EU strategic value chains

Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. Therefore in December 2019 the Commission presented a communication on a European Green Deal that sets out a detailed vision to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050, safeguard biodiversity, establish a circular economy and eliminate pollution, while boosting the competitiveness of European industry and ensuring a just transition for the regions and workers affected.

Parliament has played an important role in pushing for more ambitious EU climate legislation and declared a climate emergency on 28 November 2019.&nbsp; The European Climate Law writes&nbsp;into law the goal to become climate neutral by 2050 and attain the intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels).&nbsp;After 2050 the EU will aim for negative emissions. In July&nbsp;2021 the European Commission presented its “Fit for 55 in 2030” package-the legislative tool to deliver on the targets agreed in the European Climate law.

The EP adopted the new Nature restoration law during its February plenary. The new law sets a target for the EU to restore at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea areas by 2030 and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. The EU nature restoration law, agreed with member states, will restore degraded ecosystems in all member states, help achieve the EU’s climate and biodiversity objectives and enhance food security.

To reach the overall EU targets, member states must restore at least 30% of habitats covered by the new law (from forests, grasslands and wetlands to rivers, lakes and coral beds) from a poor to a good condition by 2030, increasing to 60% by 2040, and 90% by 2050. In line with Parliament’s position, EU countries should give priority to&nbsp;Natura 2000 areas&nbsp;until 2030. Once in a good condition, EU countries shall ensure an area does not significantly deteriorate. Member states will also have to adopt national restoration plans detailing how they intend to achieve these targets.

European Green Deal

Every year the European Central Bank publishes an annual report on how it has carried out its supervisory responsibilities, it describes the tasks and activities of the European System of Central Banks (ESCB) and reports on the Eurosystem’s monetary policy. The report is usually published in April of the following year. The Chair of the Supervisory Board of the ECB presents the report to the European Parliament at a public hearing and then during a debate in plenary.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/european-central-bank-annual-report-8th-parliamentary-term_4003_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

European Central Bank - annual report

On 1 and 2 October, EU leaders meet in Brussels to discuss foreign affairs, in particular relations with Turkey and the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The leaders are also expected to address relations with China, the situation in Belarus and the poisoning of Alexei Navalny. The single market, industrial policy and digital transformation are also on the agenda

The summit, initially planned for 24 and 25 September, has been postponed as President Michel is in quarantine.

Special European Council, 1-2 October 2020

Since 2009, the EU has undertaken a large number of reforms to establish a safer, more resilient, transparent and responsible financial system, serving the economy and society as a whole.

However, the size and complexity of a number of banks remain an issue of concern. The balance sheet of some of these banks is larger than the GDP of their home countries. These banks remain 'too big to fail' and, as a result, take advantage of the presumption that the sovereign will bail them out with taxpayers' money in case of substantial trouble, instead of letting them fail.

#EUelections2019 - Safer banks

Following continued revelations in the last 5 years (Luxleaks, the Panama Papers, Football leaks and the Paradise Papers), the European Parliament decided to establish a Special Committee on Financial Crimes, Tax Evasion and Tax Avoidance (TAX3), on 1 March 2018.

The work of the TAX3 Committee built on the work of its predecessors (the TAXE, TAX2 and PANA Committees) and investigated new issues, such as digital taxation, national citizenship programs and VAT fraud.
In the course of its mandate, the TAX3 Committee met 34 times and organized 4 fact-finding missions to Washington, Latvia, the Isle of Man, Estonia and Denmark. Hundreds of experts were heard, including Commissioners, Ministers, prosecutors, investigative journalists, anti-money laundering and tax experts, accountants, bankers and NGO representatives before submitting a final report with its recommendations, including a detailed roadmap towards fairer and more effective taxation, and tackling financial crimes.

#EUelections2019 - Special Committees TAX3 and PANA

Established for a period of at least five years, a multiannual financial framework or MFF must ensure that the Union’s expenditure develops in an orderly manner and within the limits of its own resources, and sets out provisions with which the annual budget of the Union must comply, thus laying down the cornerstone of financial discipline.

Both the Parliament and Commission signalled that they were ready to make an effort to reach agreement on the package before the May 2019 European elections. Meeting this deadline would have enabled the new programmes to start without delay on 1 January 2021. However, on 13-14 December 2018, having conducted the first substantial exchange of views on the matter, the EU leaders called on the Romanian presidency to continue work at the level of the Council with a view to achieving an agreement only in autumn 2019.

#EUelections2019 - EU’s long-term budget (MFF)

ENVI meeting, Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety - Exchange of views with the Commission on the EU vaccines strategy, including the state of play on the Vaccines Advance Purchase Agreement

ENVI meeting, Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety -  EU vaccines strategy Exchange of views with the Commission on the EU vaccines strategy, including the state of play on the Vaccines Advance Purchase Agreement

European Parliament of Enterprises 2018 - Closing session

Roundtable - ' Tax policy and economic growth: Does it really matter? '

ECON - EMPL joint debate on Annual Growth Survey and the Alert Mechanism Report - Economic Dialogue and discussion

ECON Committee meeting with Michel SAPIN, Minister of Finance and Public Accounts of France

Jean-Claude JUNCKER, EC President, Werner HOYER

Plenary session in Strasbourg - Week 48 2014 - Debate on the Commission's Jobs, Growth and Investment package

1st topic of the Eurovision Debate 2024 between the lead candidates for the Commission presidency: Nicolas SCHMIT, Party European Socialists, Sandro GOZI, Renew Europe Now, Terry REINTKE, European Greens, Ursula von der LEYEN, European People's Party and Walter BAIER, European Left. The candidates discuss on the EU economy that has been affected by global crises such as the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine, economic growth and employment. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Eurovision Debate 2024 (Clean feed) - Topic 1: Economy and jobs

Introductory remarks from the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at the Beyond Growth 2023 Conference in Brussels. The Beyond Growth 2023 Conference is a multi-stakeholder event aiming to discuss and co-create policies for sustainable prosperity in Europe, based on a systemic and transformative approach to economic, social and environmental sustainability and its encompassing governance framework. The transcription is the result of an automated process. Please check against delivery.

Beyond Growth 2023 Conference - Opening Plenary - Limits to Growth : Opening statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the EC

President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola gives the introductory remarks at the Beyond Growth 2023 Conference in Brussels. The Beyond Growth 2023 Conference is a multi-stakeholder event aiming to discuss and co-create policies for sustainable prosperity in Europe, based on a systemic and transformative approach to economic, social and environmental sustainability and its encompassing governance framework. The transcription is the result of an automated process. Please check against delivery.

Beyond Growth 2023 Conference - Opening Plenary - Limits to Growth: Opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Introductory remarks from Philippe Lamberts (Greens/EFA,BE), Chair, at the Beyond Growth 2023 Conference in Brussels. The Beyond Growth 2023 Conference is a multi-stakeholder event aiming to discuss and co-create policies for sustainable prosperity in Europe, based on a systemic and transformative approach to economic, social and environmental sustainability and its encompassing governance framework. The transcription is the result of an automated process. Please check against delivery.

Beyond Growth 2023 Conference Opening Plenary - Limits to Growth : where do we stand and where do we go from here?: Opening statement by Philippe Lamberts (Greens/EFA,BE), Chair

EPRS identifies and frames some of the top key issues that might feature prominently in public debate and on the political agenda of the European Union this year. In times of crises and war, what are the challenges we must face and choices we have to make? Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - How will increasing fuel prices impact transport?

The US Inflation Reduction Act is a huge investment bill pouring over US$369 billion into the American economy. It favours clean energy and technology made in the US or in countries America has a trade agreement with, which is not the case for the European Union. Considering how to integrate its climate, energy and industrial policies, so as to contribute towards climate goals and energy security while retaining the global competitiveness of its economy, the EU proposed a Green deal industrial plan. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - EU response to the US Inflation Reduction Act

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Ursula VON DER LEYEN delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2021) to the MEPs. Part 2 of the opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, on the following topics: - Success of the European vaccination campaign and the delivery of vaccines to Africa (200 million doses to the continent) - Economy: support to over 31 million workers and 2.5 million companies across Europe; investments in digital skills and infrastructures. Investments in the chips production. - Social and Equity: New European Health Strategy; Fight against tax fraud and tax evasion. - Youth: Next Generation EU shoul be funded by new own resources; Proposal to make 2022 the year of European youth. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Part 2/5 - State of the European Union 2021 debate: opening statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, on a Europe united through adversity and recovery - Economy - Social and Equity - Youth

This infoclip shows ilustrations of jobs in various sectors (distribution, medical, food, energy, education and more)

Infoclip: Employment - Illustrations of jobs in various sectors (distribution, medical, food, energy, education and more)

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the financial activities of the European Investment Bank (EIB), the annual report 2020 and the control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank, annual report 2019. Closing statements by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade and by Werner HOYER, President of the European Investment Bank

Joint debate on the European Investment Bank: closing statements by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission and Werner HOYER, President of the EIB

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the financial activities of the European Investment Bank (EIB), the annual report 2020 and the control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank, annual report 2019. Opening statements by Pedro SILVA PEREIRA (S&D, PT) and Bas EICKHOUT (Greens/EFA, NL), rapporteurs; by David CORMAND (Greens/EFA,FR), from BUDG Committee, statement by Werner HOYER, President of the European Investment Bank and Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade. This transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Joint debate on the European Investment Bank: opening statements by Pedro SILVA PEREIRA and Bas EICKHOUT, rapporteurs, David CORMAND, BUDG, Werner HOYER, President of the EIB and Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission

During the plenary session (5-8 July 2021) of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the financial activities of the European Investment Bank (EIB), the annual report 2020 and the control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank, annual report 2019. MEPs debate

Joint debate on the European Investment Bank: MEPs debate

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the state of the SMEs Union. MEPs debate part 1

Joint debate on the state of the SMEs Union: MEPs debate (part 1)

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the state of the SMEs Union. MEPs debate (continuation of part 1)

Joint debate on the state of the SMEs Union: MEPs debate (continuation of part 1)

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the state of the SMEs Union. MEPs debate (part 2)

Joint debate on the state of the SMEs Union: MEPs debate (part 2)

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the state of the SMEs Union. Closing statement by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights.

Joint debate on the state of the SMEs Union: Closing statement by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

During the plenary session (7-10 June 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, MEPs debate on the state of the SMEs Union. Opening statement by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Joint debate on the state of the SMEs Union: Opening statement by Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (08-11 March 2021), MEPs participate in a joint debate on the European Semester: opening remark by Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade. Opening statements by Markus FERBER (EPP, DE), Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ (S&D, ES), rapporteurs, Margarida MARQUES (S&D, PT), (BUDG); Nils UŠAKOVS (S&D, LV) BUDG, Ana Paula ZACARIAS, Portuguese Presidency, President in office of the European Council, and Valdis DOMBROVSKIS, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of an Economy that works for People, and Commissioner for Trade, and Nicolas SCHMIT, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Pascal CANFIN (Renew, FR) (ENVI) and Victor NEGRESCU (S&D, RO) (CULT). This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

European Semester: Opening statements

During the plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (08-11 March 2021), MEPs participate in a joint debate on the European Semester. MEPs debate part 3/3

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