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The new Clean Industrial Deal outlines concrete actions to turn decarbonisation into a driver of growth for European industries. It's a bold business plan to support the competitiveness of EU industry, decarbonise faster and secure the future of manufacturing in Europe.

High energy costs are hurting EU citizens and businesses. The Affordable Energy Action Plan sets out concrete measures to lower costs, complete the Energy Union, attract investments, and be better prepared for potential energy crises, to save €260 billion annually on energy by 2040.

On 25 February, the Europa website celebrates its 30th birthday. Once small enough to fit on a CD-Rom and available in 3 languages only, Europa has grown to be a web domain that includes 800 websites, is published in 24 languages and attracts 300 million visitors a year.

On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The EU has condemned Russia’s unprovoked aggression, imposed wide-ranging sanctions, and offered unwavering support to Ukraine. The EU will stand with Ukraine until it achieves a just and lasting peace.

EU farmers who have lost income due to adverse climatic events or natural disasters are set to receive over €98 million from the EU’s agricultural reserve. The funds will be shared among farmers in Spain, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia and Hungary who have all suffered due to extreme weather conditions.

A new vision for agriculture and food in the EU has been presented by the European Commission. It outlines the measures the EU will take to build an attractive, competitive, resilient, future-oriented and fair agri-food system in the coming years.

An agreement has been struck to set EU targets for food waste reduction by 2030 and measures towards a more sustainable and less waste-producing textile sector. Under the new rules, textile producers and fashion brands would be required to pay a fee to help fund waste collection and treatment.

A survey of young people in the EU has found that the cost of living and the environment are their main concerns. 31% also believe the economic situation and job creation should be a priority. 42% cited social media as their top source of information on political and social issues.

Thirteen people have been arrested for illegally disposing 35 000 tonnes of hazardous waste in Croatia. The environmental crime network is believed to have made €4 million by illegally importing hazardous waste from Italy, Slovenia and Germany to Croatia. Europol supported the investigations.

The 27 winners of ‘Juvenes Translatores', the European Commission’s translation contest for secondary schools, have been announced. Some 3070 pupils tried their hand at translating a text between any two of the EU's 24 official languages. There was one winner for each EU country.

Most people in Europe think that digital technologies, including AI, have a positive impact on their jobs, the economy, society, and on quality of life, a new survey shows. Over 60% of Europeans positively view robots and AI at work. 84% think that AI needs careful management to protect privacy.

You can give your views on the next EU long-term budget in a series of public consultations that are open for the next 12 weeks. You can also tune in to a citizens’ debate on the budget via an online platform. The long-term budget supports millions of people across the EU and beyond.

A VAT rules update that requires VAT be paid for services provided through online platforms has been greenlighted by the European Parliament. As a result, businesses could save €4.1 billion a year over the next 10 years in compliance costs, and €8.7 billion in registration and administrative costs.

Safer Internet Day promotes safer and more responsible use of online technology, especially for children and young people. This year, it takes place on 11 February and calls on stakeholders around the globe to collaborate and take concrete steps to make the internet safer and more inclusive for all.

New rules to further tackle the environmental challenges caused by excessive packaging have entered into force. The rules will help to cut significantly greenhouse gas emissions, water use and environmental costs in the packaging industry.

The EU has launched a new initiative to boost AI in Europe, InvestAI. This will mobilise €200 billion for investment in the sector, including in AI gigafactories. A large AI infrastructure will allow open, collaborative development of the most complex AI models and make Europe an AI continent.

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have disconnected from Russia’s and Belarus’s electricity systems and fully integrated into the European continental network via Poland. The synchronisation project has been 15 years in the making and will ultimately allow consumers to benefit from lower energy costs.

On International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February, the EU reaffirms its commitment to support the scientific aspirations of young girls and women. By driving change for gender equality in research and innovation, the EU hopes to encourage more women to take up a career in science.

Around 2,500 electric recharging points for cars, vans and small trucks will be installed across Europe thanks to an EU alternative fuels initiative. Some 39 projects will get €422 million in EU funding to carry out the work as well as several other plans to decarbonise the EU’s transport network.