Newsletter EUBIA
October 2017
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News 
MEPS propose a 35% of renewables on the final energy consumption in Europe by 2030



 

 

The MEPs want to augment the target of consumption of renewable energy by at least a 35% on the final energy consumption by 2030. This opposes what was proposed by the European Commission which aimed for a 27% target, that being an EU wide target.

Furthermore, the MEPs want to reintroduce national targets which had been settled by the Renewable Energy Directive (Directive 2009/28/EC).

Also, it has been discussed the establishment of a sustainability criteria excluding food based biofuels and first generation biofuels. The aim is to minimise the risk of using unsustainable forest biomass. Therefore, palm oil and  the first generation of biofuels responsible for driving deforestation should be phased out by 2030, starting by the elimination of palm oil by 2021.

This discussion forms part of the RED recast directive which was first introduced in 2009.

The view of the European Council was to set up a 27% final consumption of renewables in energy by 2030 without national binding targets, which was declared on 2014 within the framework of 2030 EU climate and energy by the European Commission.
The file will be voted by the ITRE Committee  the 18 of November.

For access to the full Press Release please click here.

Find here the Briefing of the Legislative process.
EU countries should use pesticides more sustainably
                                                                                   
On 10th of October 2017, the European Commission published a Press release regarding the sustainable use of pesticides. In the report produced, it is explained the current situation of utilisation of pesticides. It is reminded the importance and, so far, insufficient implementation of the Directive on sustainable use of pesticides and the needed increase for concern for its use. Also some findings about the barriers to the implementation of pesticides are presented.

Moreover, Vytenis Andriukaitis, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: "I know first-hand that citizens are concerned about the impact of the use of pesticides on their health and the environment. We take these concerns into consideration and we are working with the Member States to achieve sustainable use of pesticides in the way we grow and produce our food. I will continue encouraging and supporting Member States in their task of implementing the measures to reduce risks derived from the use of pesticides".

Find here the report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on Member State National Action Plans and on progress in the implementation of Directive 2009/128/EC on the sustainable use of pesticides.
 
Future of CAP: Robots on the field?
                                                                                                                              
                      
 
On 11th of October 2017, the European Commission published news regarding the use of robots for farming. The agriculture sector is being developed due to the implementation of new technologies than can be useful in the process of farming. Innovation is being promoted in the farming field following the Horizon 2020 programme as a well as a more sustainable process, in which several European projects are involved.

Find here more information about the Agri Innovation 2017 that took place in Lisbon during 11-12th October.
 
Better EU forest and land management to help cut greenhouse gas emissions and meet Paris commitments
                                                                                                                              
                       

On 13th of October 2017, the European Commission published a press release regarding the establishment of a commitment to make the forest and land management more climate-friendly. The aim is to achieve the EU objectives of cutting down greenhouse gas emissions up to a 40% at the end of the period 2021-2030, in which the LULUCF sector (land use, land use change and forestry) is included. The Council is ready to start the negotiations with the European Commission. Two conditions will have to be taken into account by the member states, accounting rules for emissions and absorptions and the 'no debit rule' (commitment that emissions do not exceed removals). 
 
Future of CAP: Monitoring from outer space
                                                                
 

On 18th of October 2017, the European Commission published the news of the use of technology for farming. Not any kind of technology but a monitoring from outer space and further use of the information provided from a satellite. The use of technology for agriculture has increased and this opportunity is unique for the agriculture field. This use of technology comes from the MARS programme, Monitoring Agricultural Resources which was started in 1993 by the European Commission. The MARS Project publishes a regular MARS Bulletin where it is possible to find useful information, especially for farmers regarding agricultural conditions that may affect the fields. The areas of concern are extreme weather events, winter and spring corps or temperatures and heat waves.

Find here more information about the Future of CAP: Monitoring from outer space.
 
High performance of EU agri-food exports continues in latest trade report

                                                                                                                                                                                                   
On 23th of October the European Commission published the news of the performance of the agri-food exports in their latest monthly trade report. The agri-food exports have considerably increased from July 2017 to August 2017. Furthermore, the amount exported has also increased in comparison with the results from last year, a 4% which represents a surplus of 2.4 billion Euros. It is relevant to notice as well the return of Russia as the 4th biggest export destination for agri-food.
Find here more information about the article published by the Commission: High performance of EU agri-food exports continues in latest trade report.
 
European Parliament Committee: Fisheries
 
Next PECH meetings are going to be held the 21st and 28th of November. The latest version of PECH Newsletter is available, which is called 'The Trawler' and its monthly published.
European Parliament Committee: Agriculture and Rural Development
 
Next AGRI meetings are going to be held between the 6th, 9th and 22nd/23th of November 2017. The last more remarkable issues for the sector appear in the October Newsletter of AGRI. For a further insight there are two publications from this month, one related to the goat sector and the other one the EU measures to control African swine fever. Also the latest analyses of AGRI are available concerning the relationship and future of the EU-UK in this sector.

 
European Parliament Committee: Environment, Public Health and Food Safety 
 
The next ENVI meeting is taking place the 6th of November. The Newsletter of October is available at their website. It is remarkable the exchange of views with the Commission about several topics, related to food between others. Furthermore, there are some new documents available from October regarding the results of the LIFE programme and the implementation of the Paris Agreement COP 23.
European Parliament Committee: Industry, Research and Energy
 
The next ITRE meeting is going to take place the 6th of November. There are several recent publications which include a study of the electricity market and also the relation of this Committee with Brexit. It is also possible to get access to the latest Newsletter. Furthermore, a High level conference on clean energy financing for all europeans will be held between the European Parliament and the European Commission.

Public Consultations


The European Commission launches new website for EU public consultation
 
Visit the EU public consultations portal and give your opinion on current or proposed EU legislation. 

Public consultation related to EUBIA activities
 
Consultation on the evaluation and review of the EU tyres labelling scheme. It is related to the policy area of energy-efficient products.
Consultation on the Evaluation of the Environmental Technologies Verification Pilot Programme. It is included in the topics of environment and circular economy.
Work Programme
 
A draft version of the The Horizon 2020 work programme has been published for 2018-2020
Find here the Programme on Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials.
Find here the Programme on Secure, clean and efficient energy.
Find here the Programme on Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy.
 
Visit the European Commission Research & Innovation Participants Portal  for information on the open Calls for Proposals of the Horizon 2020 between others. 
 
Events
EUBIA participated to Our Ocean Summit, 5-7 October, Malta
 
Our Ocean Conference took place in Malta the 5-6th of October 2017, and represented a unique opportunity to discuss global solutions on how to face main challenges of climate change and protect the ocean. During the high level discussion was underlined the importance of developing a circular economy and reinforcing international cooperation.
EUBIA participated in the Agri-Food Waste Day Conference, 17 October, Brussels
 
Agri-Food Waste Day Conference took place in Brussels the 17th of October 2017, and represented a unique opportunity to discuss two European projects: Agrocycle and Noaw. Both are projects that have received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. During the presentations and high level discussion, was remarked the importance of promoting a circular economy and raising awareness regarding food waste management.
EUBIA held a speech highlighting the importance of the involvement of stakeholders of the circular economy agri sector on the Agrocycle project.
Horizon 2020 Energy Info Days

EUBIA was present at the Horizon 2020 Info Days at the Commission during the 23-25th of October. Several presentations regarding energy issues took place as well as the Brokerage event for networking purposes. EUBIA found especially interesting the presentations on: Energy relevant activities, Horizon 2020 rules for participation, Communication dissemination and exploitation in proposals and Smart Citizen-centred Energy Systems.
Find here more information about the Horizon 2020 Energy Info Days agenda.
Find here the presentations of the Horizon 2020 Energy Info Days.
SET Plan: Renewable Fuels and Bioenergy working group-discussed at the Horizon 2020 Energy Info Days
 
EUBIA is participating on the Renewable Fuels and Bioenergy working group, Action 8 of the SET Plan Communication (C(2015)6317): Strengthen market take-up of renewable fuels needed for sustainable transport solutions, and bioenergy cost reductions aspects. 
The Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET Plan), aims to accelerate the energy transition with a development and deployment of low carbon technologies. 
For more information click here or contact us. 
The SET Plan appeared on the field of Smart Citizen Centred Energy Systems during the presentation of policy context in the Info Days. 
 
Upcoming events:
 
-November, 6-17: Bonn climate change conference (COP 23) 
-November, 7: Ecomondo Algae Event: Perspectives on the production and use of Algae
-November, 7: High-level conference on clean energy: Financing the energy transition for jobs, growth and investment 
-November, 8: European Association for Storage of Energy Investor Workshop
-November, 8-9: European Biomass to Power
-November, 8-9: H2020 Info Days  Challenge 5 "Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials"
-November, 12-13: Energy Union Tour-Finland
-November, 16: EU Energy Day - Clean energy solutions for decarbonisation, economic growth and jobs
-November, 16: Financing energy efficiency in Italy, Croatia and Slovenia 
-November, 17: Digitising agriculture and food value chains (Included in the Horizon2020 Infoweek)
-November, 17-20: Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 2 Infoweek including high-level policy events
-November, 20-21: Meeting of the energy and managing authorities network
-November, 30: Financing energy efficiency in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Lithuania
-December, 7: BBI Stakeholders Forum
-December, 7-8: Energy Union Tour-Czech Republic
-December, 18-19: The 2017 EU Agricultural Outlook conference

 
 
 

 
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