The current commitments made under the Kyoto Protocol for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions run to 2012. Ahead of December's UN Climate Change Conference in Bali, MEPs in the Climate Change Temporary Committee heard on Thursday from representatives of major economies and international bodies on what should be done after 2012.
In 2006, renewable energies and resources in Germany booked sales of EUR22.9 billion, exports of over EUR6 billion, and accrued investments of over EUR9 billion. The industry also has over 235,000 workers to its name.
Where among all the 268 regions of the European Union is it most likely for a woman to be working? And where do we find the highest proportion of students? In which European city is it perceived to be easiest to find a job and a place to live?
Orders in the twelve months to August 2007 rose by two per cent compared with the previous twelve months, but orders in the three months to August 2007 fell by three per cent compared to the same period a year earlier. Orders in the three months to August 2007 fell by eight percent compared to the previous three months, with decreases in public housing, private housing and private commercial sectors more than offsetting an increase in private industrial sectors. All orders figures quoted are seasonally adjusted and in constant (2000) prices.
After a slowdown in the second quarter, growth in the euro-area economy is expected to remain robust during the second half of the year, indicates the Quarterly Report on the Euro Area. Confidence indicators have softened over the summer but economic fundamentals in the euro area continue to look healthy. Despite the recent financial turmoil, growth projections for 2007 have been reduced only marginally.
Helping small and medium-seized companies use energy and resources efficiently is the aim of a recently published Commission Communication. It does this by providing a legal framework and measures that reinforce existing policies and initiatives in line with the particular characteristics of smaller companies. To this end the Communication proposes to create a programme to help small and medium-sized companies implement European environmental legislation. The programme will channel financial resources towards support networks, simplify access to environmental management systems, and promote greater awareness of environmental issues among these companies.
Consumers in the European Union have been paying up to 60% less for using their mobile phone abroad since this summer. The transition to the Eurotarrif by Europe's mobile phone operators is proceeding according to plan. This is the result of a study carried out by the 27 national telecom regulators – united in the European Regulators Group (ERG) – in collaboration with the European Commission.
The Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs is the right backbone for the European response to globalisation. Its further deepening is the way to create the wealth that can give practical meaning to core European values of social inclusion and of European and international solidarity. This means increasing the EU's adaptability to provide for the sustainable well-being of its citizens. The above are the main themes of a European Commission discussion paper for EU Heads of State and Government at the Lisbon informal summit on 18-19 October, adopted by the Commission.
UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers' organisation, welcomed official launch of the "Eurostars" programme, which aims to provide funding for market-oriented research and development activities undertaken by SMEs.
In August 2007, compared to July 2007, the volume of retail trade grew by 0.1% in the euro area (EA13) and by 0.3% in the EU27. In July retail trade increased by 0.4% and 0.3% respectively.
