Courtesy of Dominique Artis - Enjoy summer!
TOWARDS MORE AMBITIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL TARGETS!
Brussels has been told by a leading panel of scientists that it should target a 90 to 95% cut in emissions by 2040 if it is to shoulder its fair share of the fight against climate change. In the report ‘Scientific advice for the determination of an EU-wide 2040 climate target and a greenhouse gas budget for 2030–2050’, the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change conducted an assessment of the latest available scientifically based greenhouse gas emission scenarios for achieving climate neutrality in the EU by 2050 and outlined possible pathways and related policy choices to achieve the necessary emission reductions.
The European Commission is expected to propose an interim climate target for 2040 in the first half of 2024. But the final target will be outlined by MEPs and EU countries.
> More on this with FT here, if you are a CoR subscriber. Please contact us if you do not have access.
> Scientific report available here.
CLIMATE CHANGE AS A TOP PRIORITY FOR EU MAYORS
According to the new Eurocities Pulse Survey, which is the flagship annual survey carried out across the membership of Eurocities, climate action is by far the top priority for EU mayors in 2023.
As reported also by POLITICO, more than half of surveyed mayors listed the creation of low-emissions zones and new green spaces among their key objectives and over a quarter said climate threats posed a major challenge to their cities, adding that they were actively working on measures to mitigate extreme weather events and meet ambitious climate neutrality targets.
Ukraine’s counter-offensive to retake Russian-occupied territory is making mixed progress with offense seemingly harder than defense. “Russian fortifications in Ukraine are the most extensive defensive works in Europe since World War II” the military analysts Seth G. Jones, Alexander Palmer and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. wrote in a paper released last week by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “The Russian military has constructed trenches, minefields, dragon’s teeth and other barriers to slow Ukrainian forces during offensive operations.”
In the meantime, Russian missiles break through Ukraine's air defenses in cities far from front lines.- The New York Times
At a two-day meeting in Brussels starting this Thursday., Defense ministers of NATO countries are discussing long-term support for Ukraine and new preparations for the alliance’s collective defense.
Courtesy of The Economist
Greece declared 3 days of national mourning after a migrant boat sank off its southern coast, killing at least 79 people in the deadliest shipwreck of its kind so far this year. Rescuers saved more than 100 people from the water - including Egyptians, Syrians, Pakistanis, Afghans and Palestinians - though their efforts were hampered by strong winds. The boat was reportedly carrying between 400 - 750 people from Libya to Italy.
Hundreds of people are still feared missing. The chances of finding (more survivors) are minimal.
“We are witnessing one of the biggest tragedies in the Mediterranean, and the numbers announced by the authorities are devastating,” said Gianluca Rocco, head of the Greek section of IOM, the U.N. migration agency.
>More here, with EURONEWS.
- Copyright AP Photo
The EU faces a challenging battle in its fight against climate change, as it grapples with the task of setting ambitious targets while dealing with internal disunity among Member States and political groups.
(More in AI REVOLUTION - HUMAN BEING IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT section)
The Qatargate scandal still looms over the EU's reputation, raising concerns about potential corruption and unethical influence on decision-making processes.
Yesterday, the European Parliament voted to approve the AI ACT ahead of talks with EU member states on the final shape of the law.
The rules would ensure that AI developed and used in Europe is fully in line with EU rights and values including human oversight, safety, privacy, transparency, non-discrimination and social and environmental wellbeing.
Full ban on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for biometric surveillance, emotion recognition, predictive policing
Generative AI systems like ChatGPT must disclose that content was AI-generated
AI systems used to influence voters in elections considered to be high-risk
>More here with the EP website / here with The NYT / here with Agence Europe
Artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionise smart homes by automating and personalizing various aspects of daily life. From optimizing energy consumption to enhancing security and providing seamless convenience, AI enables smart homes to adapt and cater to residents' needs efficiently.
2023 EUROCITIES AWARDS
Bilbao, Hamburg and London scooped the top prizes at the Eurocities Awards 2023. This year’s awards showcase cities’ unique approach to tackle global challenges in times where multiple crises threaten the future of our society.
The 2023 winners impressed judges for their outstanding sustainability, community and youth projects carried out the previous year:
BREAKING BARRIERS: WOMEN'S TIRELESS STRUGGLE FOR ABORTION ACCESS IN EUROPE
Women across Europe have long fought for the right to access safe and legal abortion procedures, advocating for reproductive justice and bodily autonomy. Their persistent activism and advocacy have been instrumental in raising awareness about the importance of reproductive rights, challenging restrictive laws, and advancing policies that ensure women can make decisions about their own bodies.
NORTH KOREA
For months, the BBC has been communicating in secret with three North Koreans living in the country. They expose, for the first time, the disaster unfolding there since the government sealed the borders more than three years ago.
Starvation, brutal crackdowns, and no chance to escape.
La fracture entre les citoyens et la politique est de plus en plus abyssale. Cela s’explique par un phénomène de ressenti, un manque de perspectives et de vrais soucis.
Dans cette interview, Vincent de Coorebyter analyse le grand mal-être politique et sociétal dans lequel notre société est plus que jamais plongée et déroule les mécanismes d’un désenchantement certain.
- CRISP - Centre de recherche et d'information socio-politiques
3 things to give up in life!
- No. 1: Give up EXCUSES. Embrace your RESPONSIBILITY and face your FEARS.
- No. 2: Give up TOXIC HABITS
- No. 3: Give up FEAR of FAILURE.
Interested in Financial Times, Contexte, The Economist, Agence Europe or Politico PRO annual subscriptions? Interested in E-books? Contact us!
- Unlimited access to PressReader (i.e. as many newspapers and magazines you can read…) is available HERE.
Please complete our short SURVEY to assess Pressreader's usefulness and what could be improved!
PressReader Survey available here or by clicking on the image.
- Unlimited access to The ECONOMIST is available via your OnePC or inside CoR/EESC premises on all devices!
- For unlimited access to the Financial Times, please contact documentationCdR@cor.europa.eu for assistance.
- You definitely have full access to CONTEXTE! If you wish to join the platform as a new CoR user, please inform us.
- Problems connecting to AGENCE EUROPE? Take your access from HERE.
- Missing POLITICO’s newspaper? Every Thursday, POLITICO journalists assemble a weekly e-paper that you can read here, or via the dedicated POLITICO app (available on Apple Store or Google Play Store).
- Access to Harvard Business Review e-books, thousands of publications, EU Observer and many other resources available HERE, on our Intranet page.
Happy to have your feedbacks! Please do not hesitate to reach out in case of connection problem or if you have questions or suggestions.
- getAbstract is available for all CoR (members and staff)! Click here to connect!
Happy to help you get access to all these contents!
For more contents, just make sure you test GoodRead, Library's search engine & reading platform. Thousands of contents are waiting for you there!
Documentation Centre's resources are available here on Intranet!
