As responses to the COVID-19 crisis have shown, European standards play a fundamental role in contributing to the EU’s economic and social well-being. Now it is time for Europe to look to the future and deliver on its promises to achieve a fair, green and digital economy. European standardization is in the frontline to contribute to the ambitions of the new Portuguese Presidency of the EU.  

A new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study, conducted by engineering consultancy Ramboll for the European Paper Packaging Alliance (EPPA) demonstrates the significant environmental benefits of singleuse products compared to re-use systems particularly in saving carbon emission and freshwater consumption.

Global experts formulate calls to action for governments and the public finance profession to push for progress in achieving the SDGs, and ensure the COVID-19 economic recovery is both sustainable and inclusive, with policy responses accounting for the human aspect of this crisis.

Distribution grids are the backbone of the digital and energy transition, as they ensure a continuous and reliable electricity flow, integrate the majority of renewable energy sources and enable the creation of new services for consumers. But to be fit-for-purpose in an increasingly decarbonised, decentralised and digitalised power system, there is an urgent need to ramp up investments in Europe’s distribution grids.

The synchronous area of Continental Europe was split into two separated grid regions between 14h05 CET and 15h08 CET when it was reconnected on 8 January 2021.