Archive
Brussels
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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...
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#EUinTwo: Implementing the Circular Economy
March 26, 2020
As a key area of the European Green Deal, the recently announced Circular Economy 2.0 has put in place specific and ambitious actions to transform Europe’s economy. The Commission is focused on reducing the environmental and social impact of products by making sure that by 2030 all products will be circular, increasing the use of secondary raw materials and tackling waste at the source. These measures go hand in hand with greater use of the...
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#EUinTwo: The Commission’s plan to beat cancer
March 25, 2020
Every year, 3.5 million people in the EU are diagnosed with cancer. Directly affecting 40% of EU citizens, cancer impacts the economy, health systems, and European society. To tackle this issue, the European Commission launched a new mandate on World Cancer Day. Officially titled Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, the plan aims to strengthen the European approach at four key stages: prevention, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. However, concrete actions have yet to be determined. To help...
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Paving way to a Circular Economy
March 12, 2020
On 11 March the Commission published it New Circular Economy Action Plan which will facilitate the EU’s transition to a circular economy, to achieve the 2050 net-zero emissions target. According to Commissioner for the Environment, Virginijus Sinkevičius, the Plan has the goal to strengthen the competitiveness of EU industry, empower consumers and protect the environment. By introducing a sustainable products policy framework, it will be easier for consumers to identify sustainable and circular options on...
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The road to Europe Fit for the Digital Age
February 19, 2020
Tech policy is at the forefront of the Von der Leyen Commission’s ambitions for making Europe Fit for the Digital Age; one of the six main ambitions of the President's political guidelines. Indeed, digital transformation touches every corner of our lives, bringing new opportunities, but also new risks. There is growing awareness in Europe of the potential of technology and its central role in transforming our society and economy across all sectors. Over the next...
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#EUinTwo: Artificial Intelligence in the Commission’s first 100 days
February 5, 2020
Throughout 2018, the European Commission’s approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI) was gradually ticking over with a non-legislative Communication on AI for Europe, and the ongoing work of the grandiosely titled ‘High-Level Expert Group Artificial Intelligence’ who were trying to define ethical principles for a ‘human-centric’ AI. However, this was up-ended in July 2019, when the then President-elect of the Commission, Von der Leyen, used her political guidelines to declare that she would “put forward legislation”...
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European Green Deal: Anticipating the two years ahead
December 13, 2019
It is not exaggeration to suggest that the Green Deal is the farthest reaching environmental policy initiative ever undertaken by the European Commission. The integration of sustainability into every pillar of the EU’s activities, from industrial strategy to development aid, is what many have advocated for years. The question now is whether the Commission can follow through on its ambitious work programme, and how well will its unified vision survive the inevitable bruises of co-decision...
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What are the priorities of the new European Commission?
December 4, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdsZV3YESZ8 Today, Ursula von der Leyen chaired the first meeting of the new College of Commissioners. Her team of 26 new Executive Vice-Presidents, Vice-Presidents and Commissioners are ready to deliver on her promises for a Union that strives for more. Her first few days in office are already marked by strong European ambitions on climate policy. Von der Leyen’s first trip as Commission President was to the COP25 meeting in Madrid on Monday. Her first...
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Circular Economy to Dominate the Agenda for the Next Five Years
October 24, 2019
Newly-elected Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, has committed to promoting a circular economy in her agenda for Europe, stating that the main priority area is high-impact sectors such as the textiles and construction industries. For some, the announcement seems standardised and vague, perhaps even just a precaution to ensure her confirmation as European Commission President. In reality, the statement is significant when combined with the fact that circular economy proponent, Frans Timmermans, is likely...
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FH Studio ‘In Focus’ Event: Main Takeaways
October 24, 2019
https://vimeo.com/368495613 Today, our FH Studio gathered an audience of passionate communications professionals to talk about video, only video…nothing but video. Over three intensive hours (and coffee), our team of in-house videographers, animators, strategists and producers shared inspiration and tips. For more examples of the different video formats we've produced for a wide range of clients, check out www.fhdoesvideo.com or reach out to Head of FH Studio Evan Lamos...