European Union News - 11 September 2012

The European Parliament adopted a new deal with the Council which intends to provide EU firms swifter access to standard solutions to technical problems. The new regulation aims in particular to enhance the use of standards in the service sector and speed up the development process for information and technology (ITC) standards.

The European Commission welcomed the launch of the OECD report, Education at a Glance 2012, which highlights that more than 40% of secondary school teachers in five EU countries (Austria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, the Netherlands, Sweden) are aged 50 or older. Gender inequality is also a problem because the report shows that nearly a third more women than men are enrolling in higher education in the EU.

The figures published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) shows that greenhouse gas emissions from the European Union (EU) fell by 2.5% last year. The EEA highlights that the main reasons for the decrease in emissions were a milder winter in most parts of the EU, which resulted in lower heating demand from households, and reduced natural gas consumption.

The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) signed an agreement to work together on satellite-based services that can bridge the digital divide and bring economic growth to the Mediterranean region.

The European Commission published a report which highlights the need to support young people who have borne the brunt of the economic crisis. The Commission also underlines that there are signs of hope because nearly all Member States are implementing the EU Youth Strategy, which aims to create more and better opportunities for young people and to promote active citizenship, social inclusion and solidarity.