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22. Legislating for a low carbon and climate resilient transition: learning from international experiences
- Author:
- Alina Averchenkova
- Publication Date:
- 03-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Elcano Royal Institute
- Abstract:
- The objective of this working paper is to inform policy experts, legislators and decisionmakers on the recent trends in climate change policy-making around the world and to draw lessons learnt from the experiences with designing and implementing climate change legislation. The study in particular aims to contribute to the current debate in Spain on a draft climate change and energy transition law, as well as aid other countries currently working on climate legislation.
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
23. Poland in Europe: disappointment or merely hiccup?
- Author:
- Piotr Maciej Kaczyński
- Publication Date:
- 03-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Elcano Royal Institute
- Abstract:
- What is Poland’s position in the EU in the context of the political and economic developments under the Law and Justice government? Since 2015 the one-party government in Poland has engaged in a policy of a radical change. A set of various reforms have been implemented, some of them highly controversial, such as the reform process in the judiciary. The judicial reforms –or ‘take over’– put the Warsaw government on a collision course with the EU institutions over the rule of law. This paper analyses three aspects of the Polish-EU relationship: (1) the state of the rule of law; (2) the economic challenges; and (3) the political position of Poland among EU member states
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
24. Creating a digital roadmap for a circular economy
- Author:
- Johan Bjerkem
- Publication Date:
- 05-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre (EPC)
- Abstract:
- The climate crisis, environmental disasters, a lack of competitiveness, falling behind in the digital race… The EU faces multiple challenges that it will need to address if it is to ensure long-term sustainable prosperity for European citizens. At the same time, there are two ongoing transitions – the creation of a circular economy and the digital transformation – that could provide the means to address these challenges, if they are managed well. As the EU and national policymakers are making significant efforts to promote a circular economy on the one hand and a digital economy on the other, Annika Hedberg and Stefan Šipka, together with Johan Bjerkem, argue that it is time to align the agendas as a means to achieve greater sustainability and competitiveness. This publication:
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
25. EPIM Policy Update July 2019
- Author:
- Katharina Bamberg
- Publication Date:
- 01-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre (EPC)
- Abstract:
- This edition’s special focus examines the results of the European Parliament Elections and what they mean for the reform process of the Common European Asylum System. Other key highlights of this Policy Update include an analysis of the ongoing criminalisation of Search and Rescue activities in the Mediterranean, the situation at the eastern border of the EU, developments on the Visa Code and Returns Directive, and a closer look from the European Summit of Refugees and Migrants
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
26. Paris-proofing the next Multiannual Financial Framework
- Author:
- Marco Guili
- Publication Date:
- 06-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre (EPC)
- Abstract:
- A carbon-neutral future, as envisioned by the European Commission in its recent communication A Clean Planet for All, will require unprecedented changes to the EU’s economy and society. The Multiannual Financial Framework for the 2021-2027 cycle, which is currently under negotiation, has an important role to play: overall, the EU budget supports regional development and research in areas that are critical to achieving climate goals, including transport, energy and agriculture. In this Discussion Paper, Marco Giuli draws lessons from the current EU budget cycle and investigates how it has hampered, and even undermined climate efforts, including continued support for practices that contribute to global warming. He also takes a closer look at the European Commission’s 2018 MFF proposal and concludes that, although several innovations concerning climate spending were introduced, there’s still a considerable risk that the new MFF will turn into a missed opportunity.
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
27. The EU's Scottish question
- Author:
- Fabian Zuleeg
- Publication Date:
- 06-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre (EPC)
- Abstract:
- One of the unintended consequences of the Brexit vote almost three years ago has been the re-opening of the question of the UK’s territorial integrity. Most of the focus has, naturally, been on Northern Ireland, given the historical context and the challenge a hard border would constitute for the peace protest. Less attention has been paid to the situation in Scotland, even though it voted strongly against leaving the EU: 62% of Scottish voters voted remain, while only 38% voted to leave - a higher remain vote than in Northern Ireland. If anything, this sentiment has become stronger, with polls suggesting that two-thirds of Scottish voters now support remaining in the EU.
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
28. Citizens expect: Lessons from the European Citizens' Consultations
- Author:
- Paul Butcher
- Publication Date:
- 06-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre (EPC)
- Abstract:
- The European Citizens’ Consultations (ECCs) were supposed to bring citizens into the decision-making process and inform the European Council’s discussions about the future of the EU at the recent Sibiu Summit. In practice, any outcome from the ECCs has been largely absent, and it is unclear if they have been taken on board at all. This is despite the events providing a wealth of information on European citizens’ priorities, proposals, and demands. Paul Butcher and Corina Stratulat identify the main lesson of the 2018 ECCs – that without any clear definition of their objectives, it is impossible to adequately assess or respond to them. The authors go on to argue that any future repeat of the process must clearly define the scope and purpose of the exercise in advance. As the EU enters a new politico-institutional cycle, the immediate priority is to ensure that the ECCs and other forms of citizens’ involvement in decision-making appear prominently on the agenda of the new Commission and subsequent European Council summits.
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
29. Ensuring a post-Brexit level playing field
- Author:
- David Baldock
- Publication Date:
- 01-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre (EPC)
- Abstract:
- The European Council’s guidelines for the Brexit negotiations, published one month after it received the Article 50 notification from the United Kingdom, state that “any free trade agreement […] must ensure a level playing field, notably in terms of competition and state aid, and in this regard encompass safeguards against unfair competitive advantages through, inter alia, tax, social, environmental and regulatory measures and practices
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus
30. The EU’s governance of Brexit and its impact on the negotiations
- Author:
- Johannas Greubel
- Publication Date:
- 06-2019
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- European Policy Centre (EPC)
- Abstract:
- The three years after the Brexit referendum were marked by intense preparations for the UK’s departure, including withdrawal negotiations that eventually led to the conclusion of a Withdrawal Agreement and a political declaration, and the European Council agreeing to extend the withdrawal period until 31 October 2019 at the latest. Yet, even after the UK’s departure from the EU, negotiations between the EU and the UK are far from over. Indeed, it is only after the UK's withdrawal that negotiations on the future relations will begin. It is pertinent to examine how the EU governed the negotiation process internally, in order to draw conclusions for the future. Johannes Greubel argues that throughout the negotiations, the EU managed to set up an inter-institutional governance system that not only ensured unity but also the full support of all institutions for the negotiations' outcome, and strengthened the Union’s negotiation position. This governance constitutes a complex system of interaction that can be described as a model file of inter-institutional and -member state cooperation and diplomacy.
- Topic:
- International Affairs
- Political Geography:
- Global Focus