Think Tank

The 'fit for 55' package of July and December 2021 was designed to realise the European Climate Law objectives: climate neutrality by 2050 and a 55 % reduction of net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. It consisted of 13 interlinked proposals to revise existing EU climate and energy laws, and six new legislative proposals. All proposals, except the Energy Taxation Directive, have been adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. The package seeks to ...

This briefing paper provides a summary of key monetary policy developments and decisions taken by the ECB’s Governing Council.

Ireland's National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) is small compared with most Member States' plans. In absolute terms and per capita, it has the second smallest allocation (after Luxembourg) under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Following the European Commission's update of national allocations, the initial €989 million allocation has been adjusted to €914.4 million in grants, to be disbursed in five instalments. Ireland has not yet submitted a REPowerEU chapter. It asked to amend ...

The EU is the world's largest milk producer. While milk is produced in all Member States, farm and herd sizes, yields and types of farming vary widely across Europe, from free-range farming in Alpine areas to large-scale specialised dairy farms. The EU's dairy farmers produced 160 million tonnes of milk in 2022, 94 % of which was delivered to dairies where raw milk is processed into fresh products such as cheese or butter. The EU dairy sector must comply with a large number of rules, covering hygiene ...

Following the negative reaction from the Commission when the Council published its general approach to the CMDI reform, this briefing provides some initial analysis regaring the key aspects of public interest assessment, resolution objectives and resolution funding. Clearly, the Council aims for a narrower scope of resolution in harmonised procedures by the Banking Union authorities than the Commission and narrows the available funding accordingly, potentially privileging action under national frameworks ...