There is just a month left to enter the Vodafone Foundation Smart Accessibility Awards and be in with a chance to win a share of a €200,000 prize fund for the best smartphone app to help older people and people with disabilities.

Friday, 14th September 2012 – Brussels - The adoption of the European Standardisation package by the European Parliament on 11 September has been applauded by the ICT industry.

The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of the text, which includes an important innovation for the ICT domain. The agreed regulation enables the direct referencing of ICT technical specifications developed by industry fora and consortia, not only in European policies, but also in public procurement tenders.

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) warned Ministers meeting on Monday at the informal Energy Council in Nicosia that their credibility was at risk if they debated future renewable energy policy without considering a new EU Renewable Energy target for 2030.
 

EWEA understands that the agenda of the Cypriot Presidency includes a discussion on the 'Renewable Energy Strategy' for the post-2020 period which does not include a 2030 renewable energy target!    
 

Today's Communication by the European Commission shows clearly the potential for additional economic activity in Europe's coastal waters and recognises the European Wind Energy Association's (EWEA) prediction of close to a five-fold increase in offshore wind jobs in a decade.

The 'Blue Growth' Communication includes offshore wind as a key element of current and future economic activity around Europe's coast, significantly contributing to Europe's competitiveness and benefiting other industrial sectors.

Over the last three decades EWEA and the wind power industry have come together to successfully influence European energy policy. In this month's special focus Wind Directions explores the achievements of the European wind energy sector and the role EWEA has played in generating growth.