The European Council and Council of the EU
The eruption of the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic took the EU institutions and Member States by surprise. This Policy Insight maps how the European Council and Council of the EU adapted to the unprecedented challenges to their working methods. It looks at the procedures, technology and human resources used in the period between March 2020 and […]
Is the proposed IP waiver to help combat Covid-19 all it seems?
Will the Delta variant, currently ripping its way across the world, and the many other unknowns in relation to Covid-19 now justify the ‘exceptional circumstances’ needed for a waiver of certain intellectual property (IP) rights under the TRIPS Agreement? Well, this will probably not be necessary, even in the current circumstances. The argument for an […]
Framing the Circular Economy as an EU recovery opportunity
Recovery from the Covid-19 crisis presents an important and unique opportunity for the EU to accelerate its transition towards a climate-neutral and circular economy. While there is little dispute about the opportunities offered by the funds available for the low-carbon and circular economy, the longer-term impact on Europe’s decarbonisation trajectory will depend on the choices […]
The Biden presidency is a last call for Europe
The presidency of Joe Biden heralds an opportunity for Europe, and more particularly the EU, to revive its relationship with the US. But it may also be its last chance. The EU will have to demonstrate tangible progress in the areas of defence, trade and global policy stances generally to ensure the good will of […]
The skill challenges posed by Covid-19
The impacts of lockdowns in response to the Covid-19 outbreak have been asymmetric across different economic sectors, depending on the degree of social contact needed to perform the activity but also on the use of technology.[1] The measures being taken to contain the spread of the pandemic are accelerating ongoing transformations in the economy and […]
After Beirut’s blast: a coordinated EU response for Lebanon?
Lebanon has been facing multiple crises over the past year. An unprecedented financial and economic meltdown in which the Lebanese pound lost 80% of its value; political dysfunction that triggered a popular revolution; and socio-economic repercussions of the covid-19 pandemic. When an explosion on August 4 destroyed the country’s main port and left many dead, […]