Archive
Year: 2020
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Launching FH Brussels’ Recovery and Resurgence COVID-19 Practice
June 3, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flLZfiYRZcw The impact of the COVID-19 crisis across Europe is unprecedented. Economies have come to a stand still, many businesses have seen a massive reduction in their operations, and the impact on lives and livelihood is profound. When it comes to public affairs, there is certainly no ‘business as usual’. As we start to exit this crisis, we will find ourselves returning to a new norm – both the political and policy landscape have changed...
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How will the Commission act on endocrine disruptors?
May 28, 2020
In July 2018, the European Commission released its Communication on a ‘Comprehensive European Union framework on endocrine disruptors’ outlining the strategic approach to deal with these substances in the future. To do this, the European Commission is undertaking a Fitness Check on endocrine disruptors to look at how the various pieces of relevant EU legislation delivers on the objective of protecting human health and the environment by minimising the overall exposure to endocrine disruptors. A...
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What are Sweden’s priorities on chemicals in context of the European Green Deal?
May 13, 2020
Sweden is a key Member State when it comes to shaping EU environmental and chemicals policy. The annual report on Sweden’s progress on its environment objectives gives some clues about what the country’s priorities might be at the EU level. On chemicals, the main headline is that: “Sweden will not meet its non-toxic environment target by 2030”. Despite not keeping to the initial timeline, Sweden is continuing to work towards non-toxic products, for instance by...
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How the US oil price fell below zero – and what this means for the industry
May 7, 2020
On Monday April 21st, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, traded for the first time in history at -$40 per barrel. This all-time low raised the eyebrows of many observers and begs the question of how we arrived at such an unprecedented scenario. Furthermore, we have to ask how this will impact the green agenda. Looking more closely at the causes of the WTI crash, we can identify at least three...
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An even Greater Trade Collapse? How COVID-19 is changing global supply chains
April 30, 2020
With global economic output projected to decline by 3 percent in 2020 (and over 6 percent in advanced economies) according to the IMF, we are looking at a downright plummeting of global trade volume in 2020: between 13 and 32 per cent, according to the World Trade Organization. It is worth comparing this situation with the 2008-2009 financial crisis, among trade economists known as the Great Trade Collapse. Trade volume fell by 15%, around four...
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A long-term green recovery for Europe and the World?
April 24, 2020
Europe and the World are in the middle of an unprecedented crisis. Nothing since the end of the Second World War compares to what we are living today. On 20 April, for the first time in history the WTI oil index went negative. Brent was still around $20, so no drama, but still! We'll continue to monitor the situation so stay tuned for more on this space. The point is that we do not know...
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The Impact of COVID-19 on Innovation for Pharma Companies
April 10, 2020
Read Emma Cracknell's full article on our FH global website COVID-19 has united the general public, healthcare providers, governments, and industry around the goal of beating the virus. The world slowly begins to recover. Yet, global leaders will have to answer key questions. Could this have been prevented, should a treatment have been found sooner, and were there better ways to limit the spread of disease? Research and innovation from the pharmaceutical industry will play...
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#EUinTwo: Hydrogen’s role in decarbonisation
April 8, 2020
Hydrogen has great potential for use in a wide range of commercial applications, but it comes with a set of challenges. In the framework of the EU Green Deal, hydrogen is a versatile resource that can contribute to the decarbonisation of several sectors such as energy, transport and industry in general. In a near future, our heating systems, our trains and cars, or the steel produced in the EU for example, could be powered by...
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#EUinTwo: The Commission’s industrial strategy
April 8, 2020
On the 10th of March, the European Commission released a new EU Industrial Strategy with the objective of maintaining the bloc’s industry’s global competitiveness whilst at the same time helping deliver on its ambitious environmental goals. Whilst the strategy impacts nearly every industrial sector in Europe, there are key highlights in three areas. Firstly, the greening of Europe’s economy is center-stage. By supporting the Green Deal’s focus on decarbonisation and clean and affordable energy sources...
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#EUinTwo: How the EU Green Deal is taking shape
March 26, 2020
The European Green Deal is the flagship political project of the von der Leyen Commission and is expected to impact business across sectors. The European Green Deal will redirect all Commission policy efforts towards achieving climate neutrality in Europe by 2050. The plan sets out a new approach for growth that promotes a more sustainable EU economy with climate-friendly industry and clean technology. The plan will also increase CO2 reduction targets for 2030 and 2040...