The exploratory opinion examines how to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the protection of local communities by regulating short-term rentals, mitigating over-tourism, strengthening connectivity, and promoting sustainable, inclusive tourism across Europe.
V pripravi (updated on 15/01/2026) - Bureau decision date: 22/10/2025
This exploratory opinion on the request of the Cyprus Council presidency is focused on the implementation of the Startups and Scaleup Strategy, with particular emphasis on the forthcoming European Innovation Act (EIA), planned for 2026. The EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy seeks to make Europe the leading hub for launching and expanding global technology-driven companies, including deep tech ventures.
V pripravi (updated on 10/02/2026) - Bureau decision date: 22/10/2025
This opinion will address the Commission's legislative initiative which aims to reduce the administrative burden without affecting the environmental objectives agreed under the existing legislation in the areas of, among others, industrial installations and circular economy, environmental assessments and permitting, chemical waste, Extended Producer Responsibility and waste management.
V pripravi (updated on 10/02/2026) - Bureau decision date: 15/07/2025
Europe has decided to launch the construction of gigafactories to produce batteries at high volumes to reindustrialize our continent and enhance our strategic autonomy. Yet, these projects focus on lithium batteries and to a great extent neglect the emerging technology of sodium batteries.
Sodium is present everywhere in Europe at a low cost, and desalinisation projects linked to an EU Blue Deal would increase this availability. The potential of a sodium battery manufacturing sector is therefore extremely interesting from both a competitive and sustainability point of view.
Download — Mnenje strokovne skupine EESO: Enhancing EU strategic autonomy and developing a greener and bluer economy: the potential of the sodium battery manufacturing sector
The European Green Deal sets a high ambition for a toxic-free environment leading to zero pollution. The Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) adopted on 14 October 2020 outlines the Commission’s strategy for the sustainable and safe use of chemicals.
