Euractiv Talks

According to OECD projections, by 2030, the “Blue Economy” could outperform the growth of the global economy as a whole, both in terms of value added and employment. The EU is a global leader in offshore wind energy, one of the fastest growing sectors, but also in developing other emerging and promising technologies like tidal and wave energy and floating solar panels and wind turbines. The EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy aims to adopt a more coherent European approach to maritime issues in order to contribute to the creation of sustainable growth and jobs from sea-related activities. But tensions and potentially conflicting activities (transport, fisheries, energy production or leisure) are present in EU and international waters. These challenges require joint efforts through enhanced international cooperation. It is argued that truly integrated maritime policies, adequate economic and legislative incentives, supportive public and private financial and investment flows should be the basis for sustainable ocean development.

How is Blue Education reshaping learning by connecting students to their maritime environment, their communities, and the wider blue economy? Bernardo Mata, from the Directorate General for Maritime Policy, where he is a part of the team responsible for the implementation of the Blue School programme in Portugal, and Remco Schaap, a teacher of history and Blue School coordinator in Den Helder, Netherlands join Euractiv’s Xhoi Zajmi to explore how simple, hands-on projects can turn ocean literacy into everyday practice.

In a year defined by deepfakes, AI-generated influence campaigns, and an increasingly polarised information space, understanding how trust can be protected online has never been more urgent. Viktoras Daukšas, head of Debunk.org, joins Euractiv’s Xhoi Zajmi to explore what stood out this year, how AI is reshaping both misinformation and its detection, and what tools and skills media professionals – and citizens – will need to stay resilient in the years ahead.

How we can build careers for a sustainable ocean? From ports and shipyards to corporate boardrooms and coastal classrooms, blue skills and ocean literacy are becoming essential for the future of the blue economy. Sustainability consultant Els Duffhues and Secretary General of the European Boating Industry Philip Easthill discuss with Euractiv's Xhoi Zajmi how Europe can shape the next generation of ocean-literate professionals.

In this interview, international lawyer Robert Amsterdam shares his perspective on what he describes as a “rule of law crisis” within Spain’s tax system. He argues that current practices undermine judicial independence, violate EU legal standards, and have far-reaching consequences for citizens, businesses, and the credibility of the Union’s legal order.The discussion covers:• Allegations of systemic issues in Spain’s tax enforcement and appeals process• The impact on fundamental rights and access to justice• Broader implications for EU governance and rule of law• What actions Brussels could consider in responseDisclaimer: The views expressed in this interview are solely those of the interviewee and do not reflect the position of Euractiv's Advocacy Lab.

The Healthier Together – EU Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) initiative (2022–2027) aims to help EU Member States reduce the burden of major chronic diseases. As the end of this initiative approaches, non-communicable diseases – including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and liver conditions – remain among the EU’s most pressing and complex health challenges.According to the European Parliamentary Research Service, 51% of the EU population aged 16 and over is overweight, and 17% is obese. Rising rates of overweight and obesity, poor diet, alcohol consumption and metabolic dysfunction are key drivers of NCDs across Europe. Among the conditions linked to these risk factors is Steatotic Liver Disease (SLD), a spectrum of liver disorders characterised by excess fat accumulation in liver cells that can progress to inflammation, fibrosis and cirrhosis. Despite its growing prevalence – affecting an estimated four in ten adults worldwide – SLD remains largely absent from EU health strategies, including Healthier Together.The lack of attention to liver health within the broader NCD agenda risks leaving a major gap in prevention and care, which in turn could significantly undermine efforts to reduce the impact of chronic diseases across Europe. A more integrated approach that links obesity, metabolic health and liver disease prevention is urgently needed.Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to explore how the EU can strengthen its response to NCDs, ensure obesity is addressed as a key risk factor, and integrate under-recognised conditions such as SLD into a more holistic approach to NCD policy. Key questions to be discussed include:• What is the current state of NCD prevention in the EU, and how might this evolve in the next policy cycle?• Which strategies are most effective for addressing obesity and other key risk factors, and how can Member States strengthen prevention and early intervention?• How can the EU maintain health as a priority across interconnected sectors such as food, digital and social policy?• How can liver health be better integrated into existing and future NCD strategies?• What tools are available for early detection and management of SLD, and how can their uptake be supported across Member States?

Launched in 2023, the European Commission’s Comprehensive Approach to Mental Health is a holistic EU-wide strategy promoting prevention, access to care, and social inclusion, aiming to embed mental health across all policies and support well-being through early detection, assistance for vulnerable groups, and improved workplace mental health.Women’s health is also gaining attention at the European level. This year, the European Parliament’s health committee is set to launch an own-initiative report on a strategy for women’s health, while the European Commission has published a Roadmap for Women’s Rights calling for gender-sensitive healthcare to address health inequalities and gender-specific health risks.Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mental health condition affecting mothers after childbirth, and in severe cases can lead to suicide. It is the most common psychological condition after birth, affecting around 12% of mothers in Europe, yet it often goes undiagnosed and untreated due to stigma, lack of awareness, and insufficient support, leaving many women without the care they need. Despite growing attention on both women’s and mental health, few EU-level initiatives specifically address PPD, highlighting the need for coordinated action and stronger policy support for maternal mental well-being.Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss mental health in Europe, with a particular focus on women’s health and postpartum depression. Questions to be addressed include:– How can the EU further embed mental health considerations across all policies to improve prevention, access to care, and social inclusion?– What steps are needed to strengthen women’s health policies, including gender-sensitive healthcare and strategies to address health inequalities?– How can awareness, support, early detection and treatment of postpartum depression be improved across EU Member States?– What role can policymakers, patient groups, and other stakeholders play in strengthening policy action for maternal mental well-being?– Which policy initiatives or best practices could serve as a model for improving screening, diagnosis, and treatment of PPD?This is a Euractiv event funded by Biogen

Policy makers need to ensure that the tax system remains well aligned with societal and economic developments. Megatrends, such as the changing demography, the introduction of circular business models, the uptake of generative AI and declining multilateralism may all have an impact on the tax system and the tax mix.The European Business Tax Forum (EBTF) and The Ex’tax Project Foundation (Ex’tax) would like to welcome you to the launch of the 2025 Total Tax Contribution (TTC) Study in light of the current megatrends, followed by a symposium focusing on fiscal barriers and enablers for the circular economy.At this event, the 7th edition of the TTC Study will be presented, followed by a panel session, discussing how the current megatrends could impact the different elements of the Total Tax Contribution for both businesses and policy makers. The Tax & Circular Economy Symposium will explore questions such as:-What will be a healthy tax mix for governments and businesses?-How would a taxshift from labour to green taxes impact strategic investment decisions and innovative business models?-Can every business be a ‘winner’, by evolving its portfolio towards solutions of the future?

Europe’s world class ecosystem of research and technology infrastructures is a compelling reason for top scientists and innovators to choose Europe. These infrastructures are the backbone of its research and innovation system, enabling scientific excellence, deep-tech innovation, and supporting industrial competitiveness.This event will highlight how the recently published European strategy on research and technology infrastructures will maximise their impact for our prosperity, resilience, and technological sovereignty. It will showcase how these infrastructures turn public investment into tangible results, supporting the green and digital transitions, unlocking medical breakthroughs, and underpinning the European Research Area. Through concrete examples and open discussion, participants will explore how Europe’s world class infrastructures form an integrated ecosystem from frontier science to technology validation and how coordinated EU and national action can ensure sustainable, world-class capacities benefiting all European users and citizens.

Electrification is emerging as a key theme under the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal. If incentivised correctly, it can support Europe’s competitiveness, autonomy and resilience. However, electrification in Europe has been stalling in recent years, stuck at 23% of total energy for the past decade. At a time when electricity demand should be increasing, it instead dropped by 7.5% between 2021-23, before a small increase of 1% last year. This lag in demand is creating challenges in the power market, including RES curtailments and negative prices, which jeopardise the business case for the new investments we need in generation capacities.While the technologies and challenges involved on the supply side are well understood and progress is under way, attention is increasingly turning to demand, a crucial but complex part of the equation. Beyond simply electrifying their processes, industrial consumers can play an important role in supporting the electricity system. For example, large and predictable baseload consumption can help optimise grid planning, reducing uncertainty regarding future electricity demand in order to accurately size our electricity grids while avoiding overbuilds. Industrial consumers also facilitate the integration of renewable energy by consuming power when overall demand is low, helping to reduce curtailment. Flexibility services offered by industrial consumers, to the extent this is technically feasible and economically desirable, can also play an important role in keeping the electricity system in balance.Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss the role of industrial power consumption in Europe, and what opportunities it can create for the power system. Questions to be discussed include:-How can predictable industrial demand help integrate more renewables and reduce system costs?-What is the flexibility potential of key industrial sectors, such as aluminium, steel and cement?-How can industry contribute to grid flexibility while remaining competitive globally?-What incentives are needed to make industrial electrification investments viable and timely?

In this Policy Triangle, supported by Humane World for Animals, we explore how Europe can modernise its chemical testing framework as part of the upcoming revision of REACH. Policymakers are considering how to update the regulation for the first time in nearly two decades, in light of advances in non-animal safety assessments and the European Commission’s forthcoming roadmap to phase out animal testing.Since then, questions have emerged about whether Europe can align regulatory frameworks with scientific innovation quickly enough to maintain global leadership. Will tools such as regulatory sandboxes, clear roadmaps and centralised validation processes enable trust and collaboration across stakeholders, or risk falling short of expectations?Experts from Humane World for Animals, Cefic and the Dutch government debate whether the EU can build a future ready system that protects people and the environment while driving innovation and competitiveness.

In this Euractiv Thought Leadership Interview, Jennifer Baker sits down with Romano Hoofman, Strategic Development Director, imec & EU Chips Design Platform Coordinator and Patrick Pype, Strategic Partnerships Director, NXP, to discuss Europe’s Chips Future — the strategic investments driving the continent’s semiconductor industry and their real-world impact.They explore why semiconductors are essential for Europe’s sovereignty and competitiveness, how strategic investments are reshaping the landscape, and what tangible results have already been achieved under the EU Chips Act. The discussion looks at:- Why chips are crucial for Europe’s future and global supply chains- How the EU Chips Act aims to strengthen Europe’s fabrication and design capacity Ensuring a level playing field for investment with other continents- How semiconductors contribute to clean energy and power efficiency- Supporting industrialisation and innovation through EU-level cooperation- Stimulating new startups and research collaboration to grow Europe’s chip ecosystemPatrick and Romano share insights on Europe’s progress so far and the next steps needed to translate research excellence into industrial success.

The European Union aims to reach climate neutrality by 2050, with a 55% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Meeting these goals will not only require decarbonising our energy system but also fundamentally transforming industrial production.As part of its efforts to decarbonise energy-intensive industries, the European Commission is designing the legislative proposal Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA). The IAA will build on the provisions of the Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) to speed up permitting procedures and the clean transition in these sectors while maintaining competitiveness. Part of the strategy is to create markets that drive early demand for low-carbon products in the EU. Called “Green Lead Markets”, these markets aim to create strong, policy-backed demand for products made with clean technologies, notably hydrogen-based products, in sectors like steel, fertilisers, chemicals, and transport.The goal of Green Lead Markets is to actively stimulate the market for green products through different measures and lead to cost reductions. Those include carbon footprint labels, green public procurement, and buyer obligations, supporting industrial competitiveness while reducing emissions. However, criticisms of Green Lead Markets remain, for instance on the high cost of green products. Some argue that the EU has an opportunity to become the global standard-setter for low-carbon products, but achieving this will need coordinated market strategies, investment, and regulation.Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to explore Green Lead Markets and the potential they hold for driving industrial decarbonisation across the EU. Questions to be discussed include:- What is the role of Green Lead Markets in decarbonising industries in the EU?- How can the EU ensure Green Lead Markets create lasting demand for green products? What role will the upcoming IAA play in this?- How will Green Lead Markets help Europe stay competitive?

The EU-US trade deal introduced during President Trump's administration marks a turning point for transatlantic economic relations, with direct consequences for Europe’s highly integrated industrial value chains. While the agreement promises greater predictability and tariff reduction in some sectors, lingering disputes over standards, subsidies, and state support continue to create uncertainty for European exporters.In addition, the United States imposed in August 2025 new tariffs that are far higher than this 15% on a broad range of industrial products, in the context of Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminium derivatives. About 40% of US machinery imports from the EU are now subject to a 50% tariff on the metal content of the product. Moreover, it leads to additional bureaucracy. It is impossible for companies to find out where steel was cast and aluminium melted for each part. That is why some companies have stopped exports completely to the United States. These dynamics are particularly acute in industries where global competitiveness relies on innovation, scale, and stable market access.European industrial exporters—especially manufacturers of machinery and hightech equipment—are facing increasing challenges as access to key markets like the United States and China becomes more restricted. Some stakeholders believe that Europe’s current trade strategy might not be fit for purpose. Considering this, industrial policy and trade diplomacy will be central in shaping Europe’s response to these challenges. These could strengthen the EU’s capacity for innovation, resilience, and sustainability, ensuring that European manufacturers remain competitive despite shifting global value chains.Beyond the transatlantic relationship, the EU’s ability to deepen collaboration with other global actors such as China, India, and Mercosur will be essential. These partnerships not only offer alternative growth markets for European industrial goods but also serve as testing grounds for advancing fair trade practices or sustainability standards.Listen to this Euractiv Virtual Conference to explore the implications of the recent EU-US trade deal and assess its impact on Europe’s export-oriented industrial sector. Questions to be addressed include:- What is the current state of transatlantic trade in industrial goods?- What is the impact of the US tariffs on steel and aluminum derivatives and on key EU industrial sectors?- How are European machine manufacturers adapting to market pressures?- What is the role of emerging EU Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Mercosur, India, and other actors?- Could these FTAs compensate for losses in traditional markets like the US?

How can artistic expression and immersive experiences deepen our understanding of the ocean? Euractiv's Xhoi Zajmi and Embodied Sounds' Joshua Sam Miller explore how art meets ocean advocacy, connecting communities in meaningful ways.

After the International Maritime Organization (IMO) voted to postpone the adoption of its Net Zero Framework by 12 months, stakeholders fear that global shipping could enter another year without clear direction. For Europe’s shipping and energy sectors to hit fast-forward, the months ahead will be pivotal in proving that clear policy direction and coordinated investment can deliver both climate ambition and industrial competitiveness.This pause on the global stage puts the spotlight on Europe. The EU is tasked with doubling its efforts to modernise and decarbonise the maritime sector by working to ensure that the transition to clean fuels is not only possible, but economically viable.Policymakers and industry are now faced with translating the IMO's global climate ambition into practical measures that safeguard Europe’s competitiveness - by ensuring a sufficient and affordable supply of sustainable fuels, upgrading port infrastructure across Member States, and supporting shipowners in adopting new technologies. These steps will be key in keeping Europe at the forefront of maritime innovation and industrial leadership.Among alternative fuels, clean ammonia is gaining momentum as a zero-carbon energy carrier. Produced using renewable and low-carbon energy, ammonia emits no carbon when combusted, and benefits from an existing global production and trade network. Leveraging this infrastructure can help reduce costs and accelerate the transition to cleaner fuels – provided that production, safety, and environmental standards are robustly managed.Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to discuss how Europe can turn the IMO’s delay into an opportunity for leadership, and to explore the role of ammonia in decarbonising the maritime sector - from global regulation to EU implementation.

How can ocean literacy empower citizens, shape policy, and inspire collective action to protect Europe’s seas? Euractiv’s Xhoi Zajmi speaks with Adeline Plé from the Surfrider Foundation Europe and Eliane Vera Paz from Atlantic Cities, to understand how our connection to the ocean can drive meaningful change.

Under the framework of the Spain Digital Week, the first-ever initiative in Brussels that activates policy convenings (both public and private) on the role of the Spanish community in shaping the European Union’s economic and digital policy agenda, Adigital -the Spanish Association for the Digital Economy-, through its Permanent Office in Brussels, organizes this public policy conference on the relevant issue of economic competitiveness and digitalization as the main driver, with EURACTIV as its European Media Partner.This Policy Conference focuses on boosting economic competitiveness through digitalization and strategic investments. It explores the connections between the Multiannual Financial Framework and the proposal for the European Competitiveness Fund, the Startup and Scaleup Strategy, and Competitiveness Compass to deliver concrete policy options for accelerating digital investments and strengthening Europe’s tech strategic autonomy, by creating a clear, agile governance framework that secures Europe’s leadership in the global digital economy.Organised by: AdigitalMedia Partner: Euractiv

Despite significant progress on the supply side, the EU market for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) is growing more slowly than anticipated across all vehicle segments, including cars and vans (LDVs), as well as medium- and heavy-duty trucks, buses and coaches (HDVs).For example, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the share of electric vehicle sales increased in 2024 in 14 out of 27 EU member states. However, it either stalled or declined in the remaining ones, including in key markets such as Germany and France, largely due to the phasing out or reduction of subsidies.To tackle these challenges, the European Commission has put forward several proposals aimed at accelerating ZEVs adoption. The most recent suggests extending exemptions from tolls and road user charges for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles (trucks and buses) until June 2031, replacing the previous 2025 deadline.Nevertheless, some stakeholders argue that more can be done to stimulate the ZEV market across different vehicle segments, and suggest a range of policy options.Listen to this Euractiv Hybrid Conference to explore the right mix of policy instruments needed to drive ZEVs demand and support Europe’s climate and industrial objectives. Questions to be discussed include:• Why is ZEVs demand lagging in parts of the EU despite regulatory clarity and growing supply?• What tools do governments have at their disposal to stimulate demand (e.g. fiscal and non-fiscal incentives, public procurement strategies, mandates)?• Can a pan-EU approach be effective, or should incentives remain within the remit of national governments?• Are mandates a viable solution for corporate fleets? What risks and opportunities do they present?• What lessons can be drawn from frontrunner countries such as Norway, Switzerland and others?

The European Commission’s upcoming Digital Networks Act (DNA) is set to reshape the future of connectivity in Europe. By overhauling the rules that govern telecom operators, cloud services, and content providers, the DNA raises fundamental questions about fairness, competition, innovation, and the very architecture of our open internet.Listen to this hybrid event to examine the risks and opportunities, and jointly debate what kind of DNA will truly serve Europeans in the years ahead.Panel 3 – How Can the Digital Networks Act Truly Deliver for Europeans?Central question: How can we ensure that the DNA becomes a tool that delivers best-in-class connectivity and fosters competition?To that end, this panel will cut through perception to examine the realities: the financial health of telecom companies, the state of network roll-out, as well as the dynamics between tech and telcos.The discussion will unpack persistent arguments driving the DNA debate (investment gaps, traffic growth, AI’s impact) and the telecom sector’s push for consolidation. Most importantly, the panel will consider what legislative design choices could make the DNA genuinely effective for European consumers, businesses, and innovators.