State aid in the internal market is subject to strict control by the Directorate-General (DG) for Competition. This is a prerequisite for effective competition. Exceptions are justified if the aid pursues objectives of overriding European interests. Even in such cases, state support must be appropriate, necessary, and proportionate. The payments should be decreasing and limited […]
In the rigid world of jurisprudence, topics that shake the foundations of a system that is sometimes over 100 years old are rare. Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of these topics.Use cases such as autonomous driving, automated production processes or self-learning products have to be integrated into the existing system of standards when cars were […]
Though the dramatic post COP26 tensions over the wording of the final agreement on coal phase down are fading over time, the November 2021 meetings in Glasgow may still be remembered in of our journey away from carbon dependency for other reasons. Unless rapid action is taken over the coming months, COP26 may be marked […]
A recent report by Goldman Sachs reached a surprising conclusion: Over the past eight years, financial markets have been increasing the cost of capital for big, long-term, high-carbon investments in sectors such as offshore oil and liquefied natural gas. But when it comes to renewable projects, the “hurdle rate” – the minimum rate of return required by […]
During Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s inaugural visit to French President Emmanuel Macron last Friday, it once again became clear that Berlin and Paris are not currently in agreement on key issues of EU climate policy. But possible lines of compromise are already emerging.The French government is increasingly relying on expanding nuclear energy to reduce CO2 emissions, […]
To limit the power of internet platforms, the EU is working on the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The Commission’s draft DMA looks promising and shows credible ambitions to crack down on digital gatekeepers like Google or Facebook and fight their monopoly power in Europe.However, it is crucial for the DMA’s conduct measures to work that […]
The negotiations to form a coalition government following the federal election in Germany have brought forward an aim for an accelerated and Paris Agreement compatible phaseout of coal “ideally” by 2030, eight years earlier than originally planned. While the inclusion of “ideally” is less concrete than as originally envisioned by the Greens, the realities of coal endgame in Europe are evidently clear to […]
CO2-neutral has become a popular label for many companies. More and more companies are advertising their products with this label – whether to attract customers or to be classified as sustainable – also with a view to the financial markets. They can usually achieve this by offsetting their emissions with voluntary certificates from so-called offset […]
“Blah, blah, blah.” That was how the young climate activist Greta Thunberg characterized this year’s climate summit in Glasgow (COP26) – even before it began. She was right, in a way. Talk is cheap whenever international agreements lack effective mechanisms to verify and enforce commitments. Gatherings like COP26 tend to lack credibility, even when they are presented […]
Perhaps the most traditional Czech dish you can ask for in a restaurant is vepřo knedlo zelo – essentially roast pork with dumplings and a side of pickled cabbage. A meal made to survive the cold winter and the new Czech political situation.The Czech Republic’s parliamentary system grants limited powers to the presidency, while the […]