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The EU consumption of natural gas has dropped by 19.3% in the period August 2022-January 2023, in line with EU efforts to save energy and reduce its dependency on Russian gas.

The European Commission has proposed ambitious new CO2 emissions targets for new heavy-duty vehicles from 2030 onwards. These will help reduce CO2 emissions in the road transport sector and ensure the shift to zero-emissions mobility and the EU's climate and zero pollution objectives.

The European Parliament has approved the new CO2 emissions reduction targets for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, part of the “Fit for 55” package. This legislation sets advanced performance standards for new cars and vans in line with the EU’s increased climate ambition.

The EU economy is doing better than expected. The Winter interim Forecast lifts the growth outlook for this year to 0.8% in the EU and 0.9% in the euro area, avoiding the technical recession that was anticipated for the turn of the year. Inflation is also expected to be lower for both 2023 and 2024.

In a special meeting, the European Council held an exchange of views with the President of Ukraine on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the EU’s support to Ukraine, adopting conclusions on Ukraine, economy, migration, Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, and the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the European Parliament during an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels. Opening the session, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said to President Zelenskyy: “We understand that you are fighting not only for your values, but for ours"

The European Commission has adopted a set of measures to increase the EU’s capacity to respond to both man-made and natural disasters. The boost to the EU’s disaster resilience comes in the wake of the current climate crisis, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and the devastating earthquake in Türkiye.

At the 24th EU-Ukraine summit, leaders reiterated that the future of Ukraine lies in the EU. The EU is ready to support Ukraine’s initiative for just peace and the creation of an International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression in Ukraine.

The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen travelled to Kyiv, Ukraine, for a College-to-Government meeting with the Government of Ukraine, together with 15 other members of the College of Commissioners, to exchange on the many areas of cooperation between the EU and Ukraine.

The Commission presents a Green Deal Industrial Plan to support the fast transition to climate neutrality, providing a more supportive environment for the scaling up of the EU's manufacturing capacity for the net-zero technologies and products required to meet Europe's ambitious climate targets.

The Multi-agency Donor Coordination Platform to support Ukraine's repair, recovery and reconstruction process has been launched. It will allow for close coordination among international donors and international financial organisations and will ensure that support is provided to Ukraine.

The Commission presents an initiative to further strengthen and promote social dialogue with concrete actions at national and EU level. The initiative empowers social dialogue to adapt to the changing world of work and new trends on the labour market.

The Commission is presenting 'A New Deal for Pollinators' to tackle the alarming decline in wild pollinating insects in Europe. The renewed initiative sets out actions to be taken by the EU and the Member States to reverse the decline of pollinators by 2030.

Parliament says the atrocities committed by Russian forces in Bucha, Irpin and many other Ukrainian towns reveal the brutality of the war and underscore the importance of coordinated international action to bring those accountable to justice under international law.

Europe's got talent. But talent needs to be nurtured, especially in regions that suffer from a shrinking labour force and by the departure of young people. For this the Commission launches a ‘Talent Booster Mechanism' to support EU regions by providing training, retention and attraction strategies.

The Commission has disbursed a first instalment of €3 billion of the €18 billion Macro-financial Assistance+ package for Ukraine. With this financial support, Ukraine will be able to keep on paying wages and pensions and maintain essential public services and ensure macroeconomic stability.

The Foreign Subsidies Regulation (‘FSR') enters into force, covering all economic activities in the EU. This new set of rules will allow the EU to remain open to trade and investment, while ensuring a level playing field for all companies operating in the Single Market.

The Digital Decade policy programme 2030 is now a reality. The European Parliament, Member States and the Commission have set concrete objectives and targets in four key areas: digital skills; infrastructure (including connectivity); digitalisation of businesses; and online public services

On 1 January 2023, Sweden took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Czechia. Security, competitiveness, green and energy transitions, democratic values and the rule of law – these are the priorities of the Presidency for the coming six months.