European Union News

Scientists at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre measured key air quality parameters in Mediterranean harbours. The measures show that sulphur dioxide emissions from shipping have sharply decreased in EU ports thanks to EU policies.

The European Commission has opened the submissions for the 3rd Access City Award, which recognises accessible and age-friendly urban environments. The Award is part of the EU's wider effort to create a barrier-free Europe. In 2010, the launching year, the Award went to Avila, in Spain. In 2011, the winner was Salzburg, in Austria.

The European Science Foundation (ESF) identifies new themes for social science research in and on the central and eastern Europe, to be promoted and endorsed by national and European funding institutions. The report also highlights that attention is needed on how these pan-European research agendas can blend with the specific dynamics of change occurring in various regions, and in particular, central and eastern Europe (CEE).

GDP fell by 0.2% in both the euro area and the EU during the second quarter of 2012, compared with the previous quarter. During the same period, GDP increased by 0.4% in the United States compared with the previous quarter and by 0.3% in Japan.

The European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) which provides updated and reliable information on wild land fires in Europe supporting forest fire prevention and fire-fighting services in the European countries, has issued a statement with the current situation in the UE. Despite of a slight improvement forecast in the situation at the beginning of this week, fire danger conditions remain very high in the western part of the Mediterranean region, in Portugal, Spain and France.

€700,000 of humanitarian aid will be distributed through the European Commission's partner organisations to help flood victims in the Philippines. So far, the floods have affected more than 3.5 million people and forced over one million to evacuate their homes. The Commission's humanitarian funding will assist 127,000 poor and vulnerable people.

The new rules to see EU citizens better informed about major threats posed by industrial plants in their immediate vicinity, entered into force on the 13 of August 2012. The new Directive obliges Member States to draw up emergency plans for areas surrounding industrial installations where very large quantities of dangerous substances are to be found.

On the 13 of August 2012, the new improved rules on the collection and treatment of e-waste entered into force. With this new Directive, there is a clear step forward in terms of environmental protection and a major boost to resource efficiency in Europe because there are established new objectives.

A report presented by Eurofound shows that the transformation of the retail sector in recent years, due to technological innovations and the increasing dominance of large retailers, has affected career patterns, working conditions and employment status. In addition to this, the report illustrates a significant decline in the number of self-employed and a substantial increase in the number of part-time jobs and non-permanent contracts.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) supports the implementation, harmonization and further development of the Eurocodes, the standards for sustainable competitiveness of the construction sector. These standards are part of the new European Commission's strategy to make European construction companies more competitive both within the EU and on the global market.

With a view to the forthcoming International Culture Summit to be held in Edinburgh between August 13 and 14, the European Commissioner for Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, Androulla Vassiliou, has stressed the need to sustain investment in culture despite economic difficulties. This will be the main takeaway from Commissioner Vassiliou to the representatives of culture gathering in the Scottish city.

The European Investment Bank has approved loans for up to €37 million to develop infrastructure improvement projects in Armenia. These two loans will be dedicated to the improvement of drinking water and waste water treatment infrastructures, and to the modernization of certain border crossings.