S&Ds propose measures to avoid electricity shortages and crises

February 21, 2018, 3:25 am

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Energy

Today the parliamentary committee on industry, research and energy supported the report drafted by S&D MEP Flavio Zanonato on risk preparedness in the electricity sector.

Currently, member states behave very differently when it comes to preventing, preparing for, and managing crisis situations. National rules and practices tend to disregard the reality of today’s interconnected electricity market. This is why the Socialists and Democrats back the Commission’s proposal to strengthen solidarity and ensure interoperability in the responses to any crisis.

MEP Flavio Zanonato said:

“Even where markets and systems function well, an electricity crisis can start for a variety of reasons such as extreme weather conditions, malicious attacks including cyber-attacks, or just a fuel shortage.

“Furthermore, where crises situations occur, they often have a cross-border effect because the electricity system is already integrated. Therefore, circumstances such as a prolonged cold spell or a heat wave might affect several member states, and even incidents that started locally may rapidly spread across borders. That’s why we need to be ready and fill the regulatory gap that we have today.”

“I strongly support the principle of mandatory solidarity and co-operation among member states in times of electricity crises. To this aim, we push forward common rules on crisis prevention and tools to ensure cross-border co-operation, as well as management of electricity crises situations. Regarding the security of supplies indicators and risk assessments, member states will retain the possibility to develop their own risk assessments. However, this must be carried out according to a homogeneous methodology. National and regional risk assessment plans, in fact, need to be interoperable in order to be effective under any crisis condition.”

S&D spokesperson on industry, energy and research, Dan Nica MEP, added:

“The EU was born as a reaction to a fact: that we are all interdependent and we can better solve our problems together. And this is particularly true when it comes to energy, a crucial sector for the economy and for the well-being of our citizens.

“Already in January 2017 we saw how the lack of EU risk preparedness had disastrous effects when the electricity crisis hit Bulgaria, Greece and Romania. It damaged the economy, endangered public safety and harmed consumers who were exposed to increased prices. It also put the solidarity between EU member states to the test.

“We should be better prepared next time. The EU can contribute by providing an ambitious framework for identifying, assessing, preparing, managing, monitoring, and sharing information on electricity crises.”

Press Release on the S&D Website

21 Feb 2018

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No one should be left behind in the transition to a new electricity market, say S&Ds

February 21, 2018, 5:03 am

≫ Next: European aluminium industry strongly improves its environmental performance

≪ Previous: S&Ds propose measures to avoid electricity shortages and crises

Energy

The electricity market in Europe has been deeply transformed in the last decade. From the old monopolies controlling the entire chain from production to the final consumer, we are now in a landscape where new technologies, renewable energy and self-generation have shaken both the industry and the prices for consumers.

However, this new reality needs new rules to ensure both a smooth transition towards a sustainable energy model and supply, as well as affordability and transparency in prices.

This is why today the S&D members of the industry, energy and research committee backed two reports aimed at reforming the electricity market design.

S&D spokesperson on these files, Martina Werner MEP, said:

“For our political group it is crucial to ensure a just transition towards a decarbonised energy system. We want to avoid negative social impacts; especially in regions highly dependent on coal, and workers in this sector should not be left behind.

“On one hand, sectors that are becoming obsolete, such as coal, should stop receiving subsidies and instead receive funding for adjusting to the low-carbon economy: both for companies and workers.

“On the other hand, no consumer or family should suffer from energy poverty. This is why we want to secure the possibility for member states to regulate prices under certain circumstances and for at least the next 10 years. This should be limited to vulnerable consumers and those in energy poverty, and not aimed at impeding the entry for new participants into the market, negatively impacting on the wholesale markets, or resulting in additional costs for market participants in a discriminatory way.”

S&D spokesperson on energy, Dan Nica MEP, said:

“We have successfully pushed for reducing the losses of transmission and distribution system operators by establishing a set of criteria to be accomplished. Reducing the energy loss will bring down prices for consumers.

“We also want member states to define a set of criteria for the purposes of measuring energy poverty based on indicators such as low income, high energy expenditure and poor energy efficiency.*

“Member states would then establish national action plans to reduce the number of households experiencing difficulties in paying their energy bill, including both short and long-term objectives and measures, and a timeframe for achieving these objectives.

“Measures would include providing benefits in social security systems, support for energy efficiency improvements and prohibition of the disconnection of electricity at critical times.”

*Note to the editors

This was all stated in the S&D Manifesto fighting Energy Poverty

Press Release on the S&D Website

21 Feb 2018

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European aluminium industry strongly improves its environmental performance

February 21, 2018, 5:15 am

≫ Next: Transport Committee of the European Parliament calls for EC proposal on access to in-vehicle data, an essential resource for the tyre digital revolution.

≪ Previous: No one should be left behind in the transition to a new electricity market, say S&Ds

Innovation & Enterprise

Climate & Environment

Brussels, 21 February 2018 – The European aluminium industry continues to greatly improve its environmental performance by substantially reducing its carbon intensity across the entire aluminium value chain. This is the main outcome of its new Environmental Profile Report, released today by European Aluminium.

Commenting on the findings, Gerd Götz, Director General of European Aluminium, said: “The report demonstrates that the industry is delivering on its aim to realise the industry’s greenhouse gas reduction potential towards 2050 as set out in the Sustainability Roadmap Towards 2025. Aluminium production in Europe now leads the world in most aspects of low-carbon production. For instance, the carbon intensity of European primary aluminium production is approximately three times lower than in China, which is the world’s largest producer of primary aluminium.”

Key findings from the report include:

The carbon intensity of primary aluminium production in Europe decreased by 21% versus 2010 and by 55% versus 1990.
The carbon intensity of the primary aluminium production in Europe is approximately 7kgCO2/e per kg of aluminium produced compared to a global average of 18kgCO2/e per kg of aluminium and a Chinese average of 20kgCO2e/kg.
There is a strong decrease of the carbon intensity of semi-fabrication processes in Europe: the carbon intensity for the aluminium rolling mill process decreased by 25% since 2010 and the carbon intensity for the extrusion process decreased by 11%.
The carbon intensity of process scrap recycling (remelting) in Europe decreased by 9% since 2010.

The environmental impact of the primary aluminium production has decreased significantly while the environmental performance of the primary aluminium consumed in Europe has remained stable. There has also been a substantial improvement in the environmental performance of the semi-fabrication processes (rolling and extrusion) and the recycling industry in Europe.

The report covers the environmental impact of the entire aluminium value chain in Europe, from metal supply - primary and recycling - to semi-fabrication - rolling, foil and extrusion(1). In addition to providing accurate and reliable data on aluminium industry’s environmental performance in Europe, it also includes Life-Cycle Inventory (LCI) datasets for the key process steps essential for calculating the environmental impact of products using aluminium. These new datasets, based on 2015 production data from European Aluminium’s members, update the 2010 versions.

European Aluminium promotes lifecycle-thinking and has been monitoring the environmental performance of the industry for more than 20 years. Progress is monitored through regular data collection and public reporting. “We believe the Environmental Profile Report is a beacon of best practice for quantifying how the various elements within the supply chain perform throughout their life cycle and how our industry is advancing its contribution to a more sustainable, circular economy. We hope our datasets help stakeholders make informed decisions and can serve inspirational templates for other industries in measuring progress towards similar goals,” concludes Götz.

The executive summary of the Environmental Profile Report is available on European Aluminium’s website.

(1) The report provides seven environmental datasets covering the entire aluminium value chain production in Europe from primary aluminium production to the aluminium refining process from pre-or post-consumer scrap to casting alloy ingot ready for delivery to the user. Production manufacturing of final products and the use phase of the products are not included in this assessment, as these datasets are more specific to aluminium customers. The geographical area covered by European Aluminium’s datasets is composed of the 28 EU Member States and the EFTA countries (Norway, Switzerland and Iceland) unless otherwise stated.

About European Aluminium

European Aluminium, founded in 1981 and based in Brussels, is the voice of the aluminium industry in Europe. We actively engage with decision makers and the wider stakeholder community to promote the outstanding properties of aluminium, secure growth and optimise the contribution our metal can make to meeting Europe’s sustainability challenges. Through environmental and technical expertise, economic and statistical analysis, scientific research, education and sharing of best practices, public affairs and communication activities, European Aluminium promotes the use of aluminium as a material with permanent properties that is part of the solution to achieving sustainable goals, while maintaining and improving the image of the industry, of the material and of its applications among their stakeholders. Our 80+ members include primary aluminium producers; downstream manufacturers of extruded, rolled and cast aluminium; producers of recycled aluminium and national aluminium associations are representing more than 600 plants in 30 European countries. Aluminium products are used in a wide range of markets, including automotive, transport, high-tech engineering, building, construction and packaging.

For further information, please contact: communications@european-aluminium.eu, +32 2 775 63 63

180221 PR_European aluminium industry strongly improves its environmental performance_.pdf

21 Feb 2018

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Transport Committee of the European Parliament calls for EC proposal on access to in-vehicle data, an essential resource for the tyre digital revolution.

February 21, 2018, 6:45 am

≫ Next: Now is time to ensure that taxes are paid where profits are made, say S&Ds

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Transport

Brussels, 21st February 2018 – Yesterday the Transport Committee of the European Parliament voted an Own Initiative Report on a European strategy on Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems.

The report covers several aspects regarding the use of such systems and calls on the European Commission to take appropriate legislative steps to unlock the full potential of the digital revolution and keep the EU Industry at the forefront of innovation in the automotive sector.

To achieve this objective, the Committee asked the European Commission (point 20) to publish a legislative proposal on access to in-vehicle data before the end of the year. The report also specifies that such proposal should guarantee a fair, timely and unrestricted access to such data for all third parties to allow the entire automotive value chain and end users to benefit from digitalisation and guarantee a level playing field. By asking for this initiative, the Committee of the European Parliament recognises that access to in-vehicle data is necessary to promote consumer rights, innovation and ensure fair, non-discriminatory competition, while contributing to preserve vehicle (physical and cyber) security and data privacy rights.

ETRMA entirely supports this approach as in-vehicle data are an essential “raw material” for the tyre digital revolution. Only by having a fair and unimpeded access to this data, the tyre industry will be able to secure continued and optimised vehicle safety, to ensure complete freedom of choice for consumers, to guarantee the ability for vehicles and components manufacturers to innovate their products and even provide new types of services.

With technology developing fast, ETRMA also concurs on the strict timeline requested by the European Parliament and hopes that a legislative proposal will reflect all the recommendations of this report and be published before the end of this legislative term.

Mrs Cinaralp, Secretary General of ETRMA, commented the vote: “Action on access to in-vehicle data is indeed urgent and the guidelines given by the European Parliament set the correct path to ensure that our industry and the entire automotive value chain can foster innovation and growth and contribute to safer and greener transport”.

***ends***

For further information, please contact Marta Conti

Note to Editor

The industry employs directly more than 360 000 people with a turnover of €73B in 2016, which constitutes about half a point of the EU turnover. ETRMA’s membership include the following tyre manufacturers: APOLLO VREDESTEIN, BRIDGESTONE EUROPE, BRISA, COOPER TIRES, CONTINENTAL, GOODYEAR DUNLOP TIRES EUROPE, HANKOOK, MARANGONI, MICHELIN, NOKIAN TYRES, PIRELLI TYRE, PROMETEON Tyre S.r.l., and TRELLEBORG WHEEL SYSTEMS. Tyre and Rubber manufacturers Associations in the following countries are also member of ETRMA: Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the UK.

20180221- ETRMA reaction to TRAN vote on CITS - press release.pdf

21 Feb 2018

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Now is time to ensure that taxes are paid where profits are made, say S&Ds

February 21, 2018, 11:41 pm

≫ Next: Polish Electricity Association (PKEE) comments the vote by ITRE Committee on the Electricity Market Design

≪ Previous: Transport Committee of the European Parliament calls for EC proposal on access to in-vehicle data, an essential resource for the tyre digital revolution.

Justice & Home Affairs

Trade & Society

Today, S&D Euro MPs in the economic and monetary affairs committee backed new rules for corporate taxation in Europe to ensure that companies pay their taxes where profits are made.

Both proposals approved by the Parliament for a common tax base and a common consolidated tax base are setting new standards for corporate taxation to resolve the issue of tax shifting, worth €200 billion in tax losses for the EU member states.

Paul Tang, S&D Euro MP who drafted the report on the common corporate tax base, said:

“The proposals for a common tax base are immeasurably needed. Tech giants especially, like Facebook and Amazon, will feel the consequences of these proposed measures. It is high time because they have no physical presence and digital billion-euro companies can operate under the radar in countries where they actually do generate profit.

“The non-taxation of Google and Facebook alone inflicts a €5 billion tax loss on European treasuries. The proposal by the European Parliament ensures that these companies will pay their fair share of taxes from now on.

“Right now, corporate taxation is levied nationally and companies are abusing the differences in national taxation systems. Thanks to globalisation and digitisation, big companies can meticulously plan the most profitable tax strategy. This proposal will put an end to these practices.

“The common consolidated corporate tax base ensures that companies pay taxes there where their activity takes place. Differences in the base, now fully utilised by dextrous tax planners, will belong to the past.

S&D Group negotiator on the common consolidated tax base, Belgian socialist Hugues Bayet MEP, added:

“Today’s vote is a step forward in our fight against tax avoidance and aggressive tax planning. It is crucial to establish a common corporate tax system that is fair in Europe. Member states should not engage in a negative tax race to the bottom. Nor should big multinationals be able to do their tax shopping across Europe.

“This kind of competition favours intra-European offshoring and essentially encourages multinationals to look for places with lower tax rates to the detriment of employment. We want Europe to stand behind its citizens and not behind multinationals!”

In March, the European Parliament will vote on the proposal in Strasbourg. In the meantime, the member states still have to find an agreement on the proposal.

Watch the video

Press Release on the S&D Website

21 Feb 2018

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Polish Electricity Association (PKEE) comments the vote by ITRE Committee on the Electricity Market Design

February 22, 2018, 2:11 am

≫ Next: S&Ds: A new European budget investing in Europe, in people and in sustainable well-being for all

≪ Previous: Now is time to ensure that taxes are paid where profits are made, say S&Ds

Energy

Electricity market reform - are we on the right track?

Revision of the Electricity Market Regulation should set out a clear level playing field to make the market competitive, consumer-oriented, flexible and technology-neutral. European electricity markets currently face structural challenges to security of supply due to the missing capacity and missing money problems, while new generating investments are insufficient to bridge the gap. The latest package of the European Commission’s decisions approving the new capacity mechanisms in six Member States (Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Poland) proves that well-designed capacity mechanisms play an increasing role in strengthening the market reforms and ensure security of supply at the same time.

Today’s ITRE voting result introduces double standards for capacity mechanisms and undermines acquired rights and predictability of investments. The proposed emissions standards for strategic reserves would allow operation of the most carbon-intensive plants. We are convinced that all capacity mechanisms should be treated equally in order to provide the market participants with a level playing field.

All capacity mechanisms need to provide investors with predictability in the long-term perspective

A number of capacity mechanisms implemented in several Member States prove the importance of the role they play in ensuring security of supply in the European Union. The European Commission decisions of 7 February 2018 on approving the new capacity mechanisms in six Member States, after an in-depth assessment, demonstrate this fact. Unfortunately, today’s ITRE position proposes limiting the capacity mechanisms to a maximum of only 5 years and shortening the capacity agreements to a maximum of 1 year. Such a short period of time is insufficient to provide the necessary incentives to build new capacities and flexible generation units – investors need a minimum predictability – in general, support schemes are approved by the Commission for a 10-year period.

Double standards in terms of Emission Performance Standards (EPS) – not a fair solution

PKEE finds it disappointing that the measures set out to address resource adequacy concerns are placed in a different regulatory regime. Today’s ITRE report creates several regulatory privileges designed for strategic reserves, while discriminating the capacity markets. Especially, it raises serious doubts as to why the more market-oriented and technologically-neutral measures like capacity markets would be bound by more rigid changes limiting carbon intensity of power generation, while existing strategic reserves would remain outside the scope of the EPS 550gr CO2/kWh standard. Instead of the EPS550, the EP ITRE Committee proposes to set up a specific CO2 limit dedicated only to the strategic reserves. The proposed limit of 200 kg CO2/kW for the strategic reserves will allow operation of the most polluting plants that use coal and lignite.

Changing the rules during the investment process is not a way to ensure security of supply in Europe

Under the capacity mechanism rules proposed by the EP ITRE committee, the EPS550 standard would become directly applicable to the new build generating units and would deprive the currently advanced projects of any form of support coming from the capacity mechanisms. This would possibly undermine the acquired rights of investors and recent Commission notification decisions with regard to capacity mechanisms, which provide utilities with the much needed regulatory predictability to ensure power supply.

Strategic reserve more costly for consumers than the capacity mechanisms

It is surprising why the EP ITRE Committee gives regulatory preference to the strategic reserve, while the reserve generates higher cost for consumers than the capacity market based on competitive rules (see: in-depth studies of Compass-Lexecon for the PKEE)). At the same time, studies show that the EPS 550 standard will have a marginal impact on CO2 emissions, as the reductions in the power sector will be offset by other EU ETS sectors. Unfortunately, this voting outcome clearly sets up double standards for EU Member States and market participants.

Contact person:

Tomasz MAJKA

Communications Officer

Polish Electricity Association (PKEE)

tomasz.majka@pkee.pl

M. BE +32477291350

M.PL +48733899896

22 Feb 2018

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S&Ds: A new European budget investing in Europe, in people and in sustainable well-being for all

February 22, 2018, 2:22 am

≫ Next: Parliament backs a single digital gateway for administrative services across the EU

≪ Previous: Polish Electricity Association (PKEE) comments the vote by ITRE Committee on the Electricity Market Design

Euro & Finance

Social Europe & Jobs

The European Parliament budget committee today backed a report calling for an ambitious and responsible future EU financing. This report will be the mandate of the European Parliament for the negotiations with Council.

S&D vice-president Isabelle Thomas MEP, co-author of the Parliament’s report on the MFF revision, said:

“Europe is facing huge challenges - millions of young people still can’t find work; the effects of climate change are ever more present; and the refugee crisis is not over. If we want to address all these issues, then we need an EU budget that is both well funded and flexible. Today the Parliament backed an ambitious and serious vision of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which sets the framework for the EU’s annual budgets for the next seven years.

“Firstly, we need to see the amount of money in the EU budget rise. We want to see the amount spent on the EU budget increase from 1 % of EU Gross National Income (GNI) to 1.3%. This will give us the billions of euros necessary to provide what our citizens want - money for Erasmus, the Child Guarantee, and money to face the refugee challenge.

“We also need to reform how the EU budget is funded. As resources of the EU budget come mainly from national contributions of the member states, the EU budget keeps on decreasing year by year. We need a more sustainable way of funding the EU budget through own resources. The S&D Group has long called for a financial transaction tax, a tax on multinational companies and carbon adjustment measures at EU borders, to fund the EU budget.”

Eider Gardiazábal Rubial, S&D Group spokesperson for the EU budget, said:

“Europe’s future is at stake. Member states are calling on the EU to do even more things - from tackling the root causes of migration to new security initiatives. This is positive but the EU can only act effectively if it has a well-funded budget. If we have new policies and objectives, then we also need additional financial resources, especially considering the Brexit-shaped hole in our finances.

“We hear that EU economies are improving, but this is not being felt by millions of young Europeans who still cannot find work. In Spain, Greece and Italy, still between a third and half of all young people are not in work or in training. This is a disgrace. We will not back any budget that does not prioritise young people.

“We also need money to address climate change, which remains the biggest issue facing the planet. Climate change does not recognise international boundaries and we can only act effectively if we work together. We are calling on member states to finally get serious and provide the EU with the money to make a real difference in reducing CO2 emissions in Europe and around the world.”

Note to editors

The budget committee today voted on two separate reports, one on the future MFF and one on proposals for own resources to fund the new budget. This comes ahead of the European Council outlining its initial view at the end of February.

The reports will now be voted on by the whole Parliament in March before the European Commission puts forward its proposals at the start of May. Negotiations will then begin with the Parliament and Council in order to reach a formal agreement before the next EU elections in 2019.

The Group also sent a letter to all heads of state and government urging them to back a well-funded EU budget.

Press Release on the S&D Website

22 Feb 2018

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Parliament backs a single digital gateway for administrative services across the EU

February 22, 2018, 2:25 am

≫ Next: EUROPABIO - The European Association for Bioindustries

≪ Previous: S&Ds: A new European budget investing in Europe, in people and in sustainable well-being for all

Public Affairs

Accessing and understanding information about public services and administrative issues and completing procedures with public authorities can be notoriously difficult and frustrating. This is especially the case in the EU, with 28 different national systems, making it especially confusing for citizens living or studying in another country or businesses looking to expand into a new market.

The Parliament’s internal market committee today backed the creation of a single digital gateway, to make it easier for citizens and SMEs do their paperwork online, and to find the administrative information they need wherever they are in the EU. The gateway will also help people interact with member states' administrations in cross-border situations by providing online access to key administrative procedures, so that citizens based in another member state, but also for those staying home, would be able to request a birth certificate, register their cars, declare their taxes, or enrol in public universities fully online.

The author of the Parliament’s report, S&D MEP Marlene Mizzi, said:

“We need to make it easier for citizens and businesses to access the public information they need in their everyday lives. The creation of a single digital gateway will allow people to access the information and procedures they need in a single place, regardless of where in the EU they are. It will mean that people will no longer need to trawl through hundreds of websites trying to find the information they need or lose hours in public offices applying to different administrative procedures. Instead, they can manage their online paperwork through a single digital entry point. So if you are living in a new country and want to understand your pension rights or taxation rules, or other information you may need as a citizens or a company, you know where to go to find the information.”

“This is an important step in creating a truly digital Europe that benefits everyone. It will help companies, in particular SMEs, looking to expand into another EU country, and it will also make the lives of citizens much easier.”

S&D Group spokesperson for the internal market, Nicola Danti, added:

“The digitalisation of government services through the proposal for a single digital gateway can help the Single Market reach its full potential. It can enhance citizens' understanding of their rights and obligations, and make interactions with public administrations more convenient for citizens and businesses. For the S&D Group it is of paramount importance that these benefits of digitalisation can be enjoyed by everyone. This is why we want to ensure that the member states will have information on national websites available in an additional EU language, and why we have proposed new provisions on the accessibility of the gateway for persons with disabilities.”

Press Release on the S&D Website

22 Feb 2018

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EUROPABIO - The European Association for Bioindustries

February 22, 2018, 5:12 am

≫ Next: ICOs require a regulatory approach that protects consumers if they are to support innovation, says ACCA

≪ Previous: Parliament backs a single digital gateway for administrative services across the EU

↧

ICOs require a regulatory approach that protects consumers if they are to support innovation, says ACCA

February 22, 2018, 7:35 am

≫ Next: Procédure concurrentielle avec négociation

≪ Previous: EUROPABIO - The European Association for Bioindustries

Health & Consumers

The need to balance risk and innovation has never been greater, as blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies increasingly mature and enter the mainstream, says ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).

In its new report “ ICOs: real deal or token gesture?” ACCA has found that due to the upsurge in the use of Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) – originally developed for funding blockchain based innovation - regulation and risk need to be at the forefront of the current conversation.

An ICO investment is made via a cryptocurrency and investors get coins (tokens) instead of shares and thus, many ICOs fall outside existing securities regulation. The last six months of 2017 saw ICOs gaining increased attention from businesses and investors with funds raised 40 times more than in the previous year. ICOs have become popular because businesses can obtain new funding with less complexity and greater speed than traditional methods.

Narayanan Vaidyanathan, head of business insights at ACCA, says:

‘Innovation is crucial to an organisation’s long-term success, but in future, businesses will need to be mindful of the risks and ethical issues posed by cutting corners in using unregulated alternative funding methods.

‘High-short-term gains in using ICOs might look appealing to investors, but it’s easy to fall victim to a scam and for the investment to be lost. Wider risks involved pertain to ICOs being used as vehicles for money laundering.’

Regulators from around the world have adopted various approaches to curb threats posed by investments in ICOs and focus on the two headline features of protection for unsophisticated participants, and whether an ICO qualifies as a security with the associated regulatory controls.

In the US, the Securities and Exchange Commission has identified certain ICOs, which are not acceptable and has put a stop to their fundraising, while others like South Korea and China have banned ICOs outright.

Narayanan Vaidyanathan continues:

‘Now is the time for professional accountants to keep abreast of the developments surrounding ICOs as blockchain and distributed ledger technologies have the potential to be a real disruptor of the finance function. There is a vast opportunity for accountants to guide organisations by staying on top of regulatory announcements in their jurisdictions, and more generally to bring their training in risk, compliance and governance along with their ethical compass to this emerging area.’

- ends -

For media enquiries, contact:

Chanel Townsend

E: chanel.townsend@accaglobal.com

T: +44 (0)20 7059 5622

M: +44 (0)7834173867
Twitter @ACCANews

About ACCA

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants, offering business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

ACCA supports its 200,000 members and 486,000 students in 180 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 101 offices and centres and more than 7,200 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and

conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.

ACCA is currently introducing major innovations to its flagship qualification to ensure its members and future members continue to be the most valued, up to date and sought-after accountancy professionals globally.

Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. More information is here: www.accaglobal.com

22 Feb 2018

↧

Procédure concurrentielle avec négociation

February 22, 2018, 11:43 pm

≫ Next: PES prime ministers discuss Spitzenkandidat and long-term EU budget

≪ Previous: ICOs require a regulatory approach that protects consumers if they are to support innovation, says ACCA

Public Affairs

Sélection de la société gestionnaire du compartiment « prêt » de la SAS Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur Investissement détenue par la Région Sud-Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur

La Région Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur dispose d’un potentiel d’innovation important et d’un tissu économique dominé par des TPE et PME très dynamiques. Elle a également mis en place une large gamme d’outils pour soutenir les entreprises régionales, regroupée au sein d’une bannière unique, le Fonds d’Investissement pour les Entreprises de la Région, le FIER.

Afin de stimuler davantage la croissance sur son territoire et soutenir les entreprises quelle que soit leur taille, la Région Sud Provence-Alpes Côte d’Azur dispose d’un fonds de co-investissement, PACA INVESTISSEMENT, destiné à apporter les fonds propres ou quasi fonds propres nécessaires aux entreprises dans toute leur phase de développement.

Instrument de co financement, PACA INVESTISSEMENT, permet de combiner les ressources financières publiques et privées, et d’augmenter ainsi les fonds mobilisables pour la croissance dans la région.

Depuis la création de la SAS Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Investissement, ce sont plus de 54 entreprises qui ont été soutenues par le fonds pour 27,6M€ et en co-investissement avec Souhaitant présenter une stratégie de financement renouvelée, la Région Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur a récemment impulsé une nouvelle dynamique de financement des entreprises avec la mise en place du FIER qui a pour objectif la maximisation des fonds européens ainsi que la mise en place d’outils nouveaux et rénovés, afin de répondre au plus près à l’ensemble des besoins des entreprises.

La Région Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur a ainsi choisi de faire évoluer la stratégie de la SAS Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur INVESTISSEMENT en ouvrant son activité à l’octroi de prêt afin de mieux couvrir les besoins des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises de son territoire.

C’est dans ce contexte que la SAS Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur INVESTISSEMENT lance une procédure concurrentielle avec négociation afin de sélectionner la société gestionnaire du compartiment « prêt » pour la période 2018-2023.

Les organismes intéressés sont informés du lancement de la procédure de sélection du gestionnaire du compartiment « prêt » par la SAS Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Investissement. Toutes les pièces administratives sont disponibles sur le support suivant pendant la durée de la consultation soit du 23/02/2018 au 26/03/2018 à 16h00 précises :

Plateforme Klekoon www.klekoon.com (profil acheteur)

Ce marché sera co-financé par l’Union Européenne avec le soutien du Fonds Européen de Développement Régional plus d’une quarantaine d’investisseurs privés.

23 Feb 2018

↧

PES prime ministers discuss Spitzenkandidat and long-term EU budget

February 23, 2018, 1:08 am

≫ Next: The FlavourDay roadshow stops in Istanbul

≪ Previous: Procédure concurrentielle avec négociation

Euro & Finance

Public Affairs

Prime ministers and European Commissioners from Europe’s progressive family today restated their determination that the next President of the European Commission must not be appointed behind closed doors, but must instead be the candidate able to command majority support in the European Parliament following the 2019 elections.

Meeting today at the PES headquarters, the leaders committed to building a coalition of progressive forces in Parliament in support of a progressive candidate.

PES president Sergei Stanishev, chairing the meeting, said:

“The Party of European Socialists is committed to the Spitzenkandidat process that we created, and we stand fully behind the decision we reiterated in Lisbon last year to select our candidate in an open, democratic and transparent way.

“We believe it is crucial for European democracy that the next president of the European Commission should not be appointed behind closed doors, but must reflect the votes of citizens across Europe in the 2019 elections. Following the elections, we will build a majority coalition in Parliament to achieve this.”

Leaders also discussed the long-term budget for the European Union (MFF). Mr Stanishev added:

“Planning the long-term budget is one of the most important tasks to help tackle the challenges faced by Europe. The multiannual financial framework must be ambitious in order deliver the European public goods which citizens are rightly demanding.

“This means not only finding new sources of funding such as own resources, but also fighting for an ambitious budget with the right structure and priorities, so that money is spent wisely, in ways that benefit all our countries and regions, and build solidarity and cohesion.

“And the MFF must be finalised before the European elections in 2019.”

The meeting took place shortly before today’s informal European summit.

In attendance were:

Sergei Stanishev, president of PES
Paolo Gentiloni, prime minister of Italy
Stefan Löfven, prime minister of Sweden
Joseph Muscat, prime minister of Malta
Alexis Tsipras, prime minister of Greece (observer)
Udo Bullman MEP, acting president of the S&D group
Federica Mogherini, EU high representative for foreign & security policy
Frans Timmermans, first vice-president of the European Commission

Karl-Heinz Lambertz, president of the European Committee of the Regions

Notes for editors

All 28 EU member states are represented by their progressive parties at the PES, which brings together 34 socialist, social democratic, labour and democratic parties as full members. Together with 13 associate parties and 12 observer parties from outside the EU, we fight for a better and more progressive Europe.
The current president of the PES is Sergei Stanishev.
The Socialists & Democrats Group is the parliamentary group of the PES.

23 Feb 2018

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The FlavourDay roadshow stops in Istanbul

February 23, 2018, 1:42 am

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Agriculture & Food

The first 2018 stop for the celebration of flavourings tour #FlavourDays was a success. The #Istanbul_FlavourDay took place on the 21st of February 2018, together with the 31th anniversary celebration of AREP, the Turkish Flavour Association.

FROM BRUSSELS TO ISTANBUL…

The FlavourDay brand is making its way through Europe, and this time has stopped in Istanbul to highlight and celebrate the long standing Turkish tradition on flavourings. With more than 100 attendees, the event was a success. It combined scientific and regulatory presentations with a classic on #FlavourDays: tasting stands where attendees could experience themselves the passion for flavourings.

The #Istanbul_FlavourDay was organised by AREP, the Turkish Flavour Association. AREP was founded in 1987 by three entrepreneurs and has grown to 24 members from 15 companies since then. Murat Yasa, AREP President, was very satisfied with the outcome of the event: “This FlavourDay was very fruitful for the AREP membership. To have the opportunity to be informed and to exchange with the authorities and other partners is key to the good functioning of the industry”.

Antoine Kastler, EFFA President, highlighted also the long history of AREP: “More than 30 years of tradition have to be celebrated, this is the spirit of the FlavourDays, sharing with our members and main stakeholders the beauty of our profession”.

The program of the event included two speakers from the Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock who explained the details of the flavouring legislation in Turkey, which follows closely the EU Flavourings Regulation.

EFFA contributed with two presentations: Jan Demyttenaere, EFFA Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Director, gave an update on the European Union regulatory issues and EFFA Communications Director, Jimena Gomez de la Flor, discussed the importance of speaking up for flavourings.

One of the main outcomes of the day, similarly to other #FlavourDays around Europe, was the discussion on food trends, and what drives consumer’s choice. Emma Schofield, Global Food Science Analyst for Mintel, highlighted the crucial role of flavourings: "Where food and drink are concerned, taste is king. Taste and flavour are consistently ranked as one of the most important, if not the single most important attribute to consumers, when buying food and drink". This was followed by an interactive panel, which dived deep on the role of flavourings in consumer’s choice, with professionals from the industry and the academia providing their insights on the topic.

POMEGRANATE DELIGHT

From the logo to the tasting session, passing through lunch and decoration, one flavour outstood the others: pomegranate, a typical Turkish fruit. To feature the local and traditional flavours is also one of the objectives of the FlavourDays and its variety, allowing each country to celebrate with pride its characteristic flavours and share them with its international partners.

This was also highlighted with the application and tasting session that closed the event, featuring classic Turkish flavours, with innovative twists, showcasing the creativity of an industry which have its roots in extracts and processes used hundreds of years ago coupled with state of the art technology and more than 10% of its turnover invested in R&D.

The FlavourDay concept was shortlisted for several European awards and will be presented as a success case study at the European Association Summit on the 8th of March 2018, and at the World Congress Association on the 13th of March 2018, by Jimena Gomez de la Flor, Communications Director of EFFA who led the creation and development of the concept.

For more information and pictures: http://effa.eu/flavourday

#FlavourDays

CONTACT:

Jimena Gómez de la Flor

COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

+32 2 214 20 44

+32 472 29 11 18

jgomezdelaflor@effa.eu

Burçu Dinçtürk

REGULATORY AFFAİRS CHIEF

burcu.seven@aromsa.com.tr

EFFA Press release Istanbul FlavourDay.pdf

23 Feb 2018

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Industry Stakeholders are ready to take the lead in digital construction

February 23, 2018, 2:07 am

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Innovation & Enterprise

BRUSSELS 22nd February 2018 - The European construction industry has moved closer to its vision of a common European digital construction strategy.

“As this will be crucial to master the digital transformation of the industry along the value chain, I am really satisfied with the course and the outcome of today’s pilot event”, said CECE President Enrico Prandini.

For the first time, four organisations of major industries (CECE, Construction Products Europe, FIEC and EBC) got together on this topic at the highest political level and invited their respective members and other partners to attend a digital construction seminar on February 22, 2018 in Brussels, as part of the European Industry Day.

“Having a collaborative and inclusive strategy for the European construction industry will help us to figure out where our industry wants to be” said Kjetil Tonning, FIEC President Elect. “We need to work together with existing players in the value chain, public and private, large firms and SMEs, new market entrants, researchers and clients as well as investors.”

With their approach on digitization, the sectors are contributing to the fine-tuning and concrete implementation of the European Industrial Policy Strategy.

“As digitalisation will transform the whole construction industry, it is important that the main actors come together to discuss the various options and look for synergies. Yesterday’s successful event will surely be followed by many other such exchanges as the European construction industry strives to lead the world in all these technological developments”, stressed Construction Products Europe Director General, Christophe Sykes.

The digital seminar was opened by Emil Karanikolov, Bulgarian Minister of Economy, the country currently holding the EU presidency.

In his opening speech the Minister underlined that digital innovation was key for the European construction sector to remain competitive, a global leader and to achieve the EUs ambitious targets.

In their discussion, the panel of experts and representatives of the industries made clear that the construction sector is ready to embrace digitization, whether it be Building

Information Modeling (BIM), IoT, big data, drones, or autonomous driving. Especially in view of climate change commitments, the motto must simply be to do more with less.

“The event has shown the strong commitment of participants, all key European players of the construction industry, to support the digital transformation of the sector” said Philip van Nieuwenhuizen, EBC Director. “In doing that, we need to make sure that construction SMEs and craftsmen keep up in the definition and in reaping the benefits of digital tools, by facilitating their accessibility and use with the support of the whole construction value chain”

One of the major challenges of the sectors will be to develop and standardize digital networking solutions to enable cooperative, safe and efficient collaboration of all decentralized parties on a construction site.

The digital seminar was attended by more than 100 representatives from companies, organizations, politics and the press. The organizations announced that they would continue their path and create more opportunities to discuss these issues with the value chain representatives and the policy makers in Brussels.

You can download the press release here.

Press Release on the CECE website

23 Feb 2018

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ECJ - European Journalism Centre

February 23, 2018, 3:58 am

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The European Journalism Centre (EJC) believes that journalists play a key role in improving people’s lives through access to information, data and perspectives that build bridges. Yet European journalism faces disappearing advertising revenues, declining public trust, the rise of misinformation, and increasingly polarized societies. Engaged journalism — reporting that empowers communities and their conversations — offers a solution that can positively impact both society as a whole, and the future of news organisations.

With a total budget of $1,500,000, the Engaged Journalism Accelerator will support, promote and train people and projects across Europe over a two-year period. Its primary outputs will be a cross-border European training and mentorship programme, toolkits and resources for anyone interested in the topic, and a prototype fund to kickstart the next generation of engaged journalism pioneers and projects.

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EJC - European Journalism Centre

February 23, 2018, 4:04 am

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DIGITALEUROPE closely involved in identifying key digital technologies to be prioritised in EU budget

February 23, 2018, 6:30 am

≫ Next: PKEE on the future of biomass

≪ Previous: EJC - European Journalism Centre

Innovation & Enterprise

“Finally, Europe woke up! Connectivity, AI and cyber security are in the spotlight today. They will transform the digital sector, industry and society” said Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl, Director General of DIGITALEUROPE, when the new “Re-Finding Industry” report, which calls for a stronger focus and funding on Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), was unveiled at the European Commission’s Industry Day earlier on Friday.

“5G, Cyber and AI must be at the heart of European investments to boost innovation, growth and job creation in Europe. 83% of all AI investments are forecasted to be outside EU, and the EU only invests half of the US in connecting all citizens to a modern digital world. EU investments in “digital” must double compared to Horizon 2020!” she insisted.

At the Industry Day’s workshop on “Technologies of Future”, Markus Borchert, President of DIGITALEUROPE and Senior VP of Nokia, recalled: “Enhancing connectivity in Europe, such as through the deployment of 5G infrastructure, is a necessary condition for the successful digital transformation of all industry sectors”.

"Yet, in a digital society, infrastructure development needs to be followed by investments in cybersecurity - being a critical enabler of IoT, machine-to-machine communications and connectivity overall -, also to help building trust among citizens, governments and companies. Europe must lead the way on disruptive technologies, such as AI, to use it for the benefit of growth and society” he added.

“This is a new beginning for Europe - where a virtuous ecosystem of SMEs and large corporations is nurtured with the aim to leverage the innovative potential and the prosperity of the continent”, he concluded.

Background

The new Digitising Industry report released today by the European Commission calls for a stronger focus and funding on Key Enabling Technologies (KETs). The report was prepared by the Commission’s High-level Strategy Group on Industrial Technologies.

DIGITALEUROPE has been closely involved in the process of defining the most promising KETs to drive Europe’s growth, through the participation of Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl to the Commission’s High-level Strategy Group on Industrial Technologies.

The Strategy Group identified Connectivity, Cybersecurity, and Artificial Intelligence as new KETS for Europe to invest in, given the essential role of these technologies to tackle the societal challenges and to boost global competitiveness.

For more information, please contact: Lionel Sola, DIGITALEUROPE’s Director of Communications & Political outreach +32 492 25 84 32 or lionel.sola@digitaleurope.org

ABOUT DIGITALEUROPE

DIGITALEUROPE represents the digital technology industry in Europe. Our members include some of the world's largest IT, telecoms and consumer electronics companies and national associations from every part of Europe. DIGITALEUROPE wants European businesses and citizens to benefit fully from digital technologies and for Europe to grow, attract and sustain the world's best digital technology companies. DIGITALEUROPE ensures industry participation in the development and implementation of EU policies. DIGITALEUROPE’s members include in total 25,000 ICT Companies in Europe represented by 60 corporate members and 37 national trade associations from across Europe. Our website provides further information on our recent news and activities: http://www.digitaleurope.org

23 Feb 2018

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PKEE on the future of biomass

February 26, 2018, 1:19 am

≫ Next: European Aluminium Wins Two European Association Awards

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Energy

During the Euractiv workshop “TRANSITIONING TO RENEWABLES: WHAT ROLE FOR BIOMASS?”, the representatives of the European Parliament and the Commission together with experts and stakeholders participated in a discussion co-organised by the Polish Electricity Association (PKEE).

Biomass will continue to play an important role as a green source of energy. According to the data presented by the official of the European Commission, Mr Giulio Volpi around 50% of RES in the EU are already based on biomass. Discussing the future potential of biomass, the rapporteur for the RES Directive in the European Parliament, Mr José Blanco López, highlighted his particular focus on making all renewables development and deployment coherent with the Paris Agreement goals.

Biomass can play a key role not only in fulfilling the climate goals but also can contribute to the circular economy. Biomass investments contribute to job creation as well as to development of the rural and post-industrial areas. Panellists discussed how important it is to ensure that biomass is obtained in a sustainable way in order to prevent the negative impact on the environment. Representative of the PKEE, Mr Maciej Gomółka, Member of the Management Board of Enea Bioenergia, a company servicing one of the world’s biggest biomass–based electricity generation plants in Połaniec, Poland, supported the EU-wide introduction of criteria for sustainable acquisition of biomass and CO2 reduction for bioenergy. This is a condition to ensuring consistence of all solutions concerning generation of bioenergy, including the use of biomass in the energy sector, with the EU climate and energy targets. This is of particular importance in the context of the present high share of biomass in energy production in the EU, and the ambitious RES targets for 2030. “We believe that the criteria should be formulated in a way that will not jeopardise the growth of the bioenergy sector in the EU” – said Mr Gomółka. As the PKEE highlights, some of the proposed restrictions would have negative impact on biomass investments. In particular, the proposal to limit the right to be considered as a contributor to the RES target in case of capacity exceeding ca. 7 MWe (20 MW fuel capacity) if the unit concerned is not a high-efficiency combined power and heat installation. With the measures provided at the same time by the regulations concerning sustainable development and CO2 reduction criteria, these restrictions would not provide any added value but would significantly undermine development of biomass as the transition fuel towards low-carbon economy in coal dependent countries. Moreover, the capacity limits give no consideration at all to the local specifics of individual Member States. Individual circumstances in many countries do not justify building numerous small cogeneration installations due to the lack of continuous demand for heat, existing heating infrastructures and other local conditions favouring construction of units generating electricity only.

As concluded by the panellists, the revised RES Directive should guarantee correctly used and managed biomass in sustainable way in order to continue its positive impact on social prosperity in full correlation with the European climate goals, in particular the development of renewable sources of energy.

Contact person:

Tomasz MAJKA
Communications Officer
Polish Electricity Association (PKEE)
tomasz.majka@pkee.pl
M. BE +32477291350
M. PL +48733899896

Biomasa press_pwtm_corr_BO23022018FINAL.docx

22 Feb 2018

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European Aluminium Wins Two European Association Awards

February 26, 2018, 2:41 am

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Innovation & Enterprise

Brussels, 26 February 2018 - Last Friday, European Aluminium received the award for “Best Association Networking Event” and won second place in the “Best Association Publication or Newsletter” category at the 2018 European Association Awards ceremony held in Brussels.

The “Best Association Networking Event” award was for European Aluminium’s public event “Driving Mobility to a Low Carbon Future”, which was held in Autoworld (Brussels) on 27 April 2017. With more than 250 participants and speakers from EU institutions, industry and academia, the event explored the potential of lightweighting to reduce CO2 emissions in transport through panel debates, keynote speeches and an interactive Aluminium Playground showcasing the best aluminium solutions in mobility.

The silver award for “Best Association Publication or Newsletter” was awarded to European Aluminium’s external newsletter “Storytime: Beyond Brussels”. The newsletter highlights aluminium's role in the wider society and features the people and initiatives that are shaping the industry. Each edition features several videos and focuses on a different topic; from mobility to aluminium packaging and the circular economy.

“It is a great honour to be recognised with two awards this year,” said Gerd Götz, Director General of European Aluminium. “The awards are an acknowledgement of our ambition to put aluminium on the forefront of the Brussels agenda, our passionate staff and our members and other partners with whom we have had the pleasure to work with on these two projects.”

In addition to the two wins, European Aluminium was also shortlisted for “Best Membership Initiative” with its Sustainability Roadmap towards 2025 and “Best Communications Campaign with a Secretariat of more than 10 people” for its Every Can Counts recycling awareness programme in partnership with beverage can manufacturers, reprocessors and brands.

The prestigious European Association Awards are organised by GCN Events and recognise exceptional achievements of associations in Europe at national and pan-EU levels. The over 100 award submissions were subjected to an independent and rigorous judging process by over 25 judges, all of whom are Secretary Generals or CEOs of leading European associations.

Last year, European Aluminium was awarded Best European Association Website 2017.

About European Aluminium

For further information, please contact: communications@european-aluminium.eu, +32 2 775 63 63

180226_PR_European Aluminium Wins Two European Asssociation Awards.pdf

26 Feb 2018

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S&D Euro MPs back the EU's Foreign Minsters' decision on climate diplomacy

February 26, 2018, 4:50 am

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Climate & Environment

S&D Euro MPs today welcomed the EU foreign affairs ministers’ commitment to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Knut Fleckenstein, S&D MEP and spokesperson on foreign affairs, said:

"The decision by the Council to put climate diplomacy on its foreign affairs agenda is an important step in the right direction. It is an obligation of the EU and the Member States to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement and to tackle environmental challenges together with partner countries through diplomatic channels."

Arne Lietz, S&D MEP and co-rapporteur of the report on Climate Diplomacy, added:

"Now, it is important to let words follow actions. This includes increasing human resources in the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Commission for climate diplomacy. The next Multiannual Financial Framework has to reflect such steps with additional funds for climate action and diplomatic efforts. We need a comprehensive joint effort on EU level which targets all stakeholder levels involved."

Note to the editor: The European Parliament will put forward recommendations for future EU climate diplomacy and take up climate on its own foreign affairs agenda. The parliamentary report is being drafted in the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (Co-rapporteur Jo Leinen, S&D) and will be voted during the plenary session in July 2018.

Press Release on the S&D Website

26 Feb 2018

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