The construction sector is a strategic pillar of the EU economy and a key enabler of the green and digital transitions. It has a direct impact on housing, transport, energy and climate-resilience infrastructure across Europe. Strengthening innovation and digitalisation is therefore essential not only to decarbonise the economy by 2050, but also to reinforce the EU’s industrial autonomy, productivity and global competitiveness in a sector that underpins many strategic value chains.
The EU emissions trading system (ETS) is the key policy tool for achieving the EU's climate targets. The existing ETS (ETS1) aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from industrial and energy installations, aircraft operators and maritime transport by setting a price on carbon through a cap-and-trade system.
The Commission's ETS revision proposal is expected to address several issues, notably the role of carbon dioxide removals, the expansion of the current scope to additional sectorsand GHGs not yet covered by the ETS, new rules on how to account for non-permanent carbon capture and utilisation, and the risk of carbon leakage in sectors not covered by the carbon border adjustment mechanism.
The Single Digital Booking and Ticketing Regulation (SDBTR) aims to make rail travel more accessible by allowing passengers to book multi-operator journeys through a single digital platform. It focuses specifically on expanding digital access to rail tickets and fares and reduces ticketing fragmentation while ensuring passengers retain their rights throughout the entire journey.
Download — EGSZB-szekcióvélemény: Ending forced sterilisation of women with disabilities: Alternative pathways to the decriminalisation of EU criminal offences through anti-discrimination law and conditionality of funds
This timely opinion will examine civil society proposal on how to reform climate governance, including decision-making processes, negotiation frameworks, and the participation and impact of civil society organisations at global climate summits. It will also assess how international climate litigation is shaping climate negotiations and may further influence the governance of the UNFCCC, particularly in the light of the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion of 23 July 2025.
Download — EGSZB-szekcióvélemény: Reforming climate governance in light of recent international judicial decisions
