scholarly journals Toward Sustainable Biofuels in the European Union? Lessons from a Decade of Hybrid Biofuel Governance

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 4111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Stattman ◽  
Aarti Gupta ◽  
Lena Partzsch ◽  
Peter Oosterveer
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Hybrid Approach ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Private Governance ◽  
Political Debate ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Private Certification ◽  
Sustainability Standards ◽  
Governance Arrangements

The European Union (EU) stands at a crossroads regarding its biofuel policies. For more than a decade, the EU sought to create a market for and govern sustainable biofuels for the transport sector, even as debates over sustainability escalated. It did so by devising novel hybrid (public and private) governance arrangements. We took stock of the nature and outcomes of this experiment in hybrid biofuel governance. We relied on qualitative methods of analysis, whereby we reviewed and synthesized the evolution of EU biofuel governance arrangements over time, through detailed document analysis of secondary and primary literature, including EU and related policy documents and private certification scheme websites. Our analysis reveals that, instead of yielding an increasingly stringent sustainability framework, the hybrid EU governance arrangements resulted in a proliferation of relatively lax, industry-driven, sustainability standards, even as the notion of “sustainable biofuels” remained contested in public and political debate. These findings contribute to an ongoing debate about the merits of hybrid (public–private) governance arrangements, and whether a hybrid approach helps strengthen or weaken sustainability objectives. We conclude that a more stringent EU meta-standard on sustainability needs to be developed, to underpin future governance arrangements.

scholarly journals The migrant crisis in the Mediterranean: A multidimensional challenge for the European Union

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-629
Author(s):  
C Anguita Olmedo ◽  
P González Gómez del Miño
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Political Debate ◽  
Member States ◽  
Institutional Stability ◽  
Social Agenda ◽  
Illegal Migrants ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Eu

The European Union (EU) throughout its history has been the destination of diverse migratory flows. Therefore, migration has acquired special relevance by occupying a prominent position on the EU’s political, economic, cultural, and social agenda. The most recent migration crisis of 2015 represents a multidimensional challenge with severe consequences that affect, first, the institutional foundations of the EU (governance, security, solidarity of member states and institutional stability) and, second, the migratory policies of receiving states and the EU itself. This crisis is characterized, first, by the high number of illegal migrants that cross the Mediterranean, and, second, by the humanitarian tragedy and insecurity, which make the sea a grey area and an international reference in the migratory processes. The migration-security equation became a field of applied research and analysis, and at the same time a focus of political debate and public opinion. The article aims at analysing the crisis of 2015 and its consequences, which is done by means of the methodological approach based on the consequences that this phenomenon entails for the EU and for certain member states. The response of the EU is limited primarily to securitization by strengthening the external borders, turning towards internal security rather than respecting international and Community Treaties and promotion of their values, which contradicts the anticipated leadership of this global actor. The authors believe that it is necessary to implement new mechanisms in addition to ensuring greater effectiveness of the existing ones.

scholarly journals Are CO2 emissions converging in the European Union? Policy implications

2019 ◽  
pp. 63-82
Author(s):  
Rafael Morales-Lage ◽  
Aurelia Bengochea-Morancho ◽  
Immaculada Martínez-Zarzoso
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Industrial Sector ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Conditional Convergence ◽  
European Union Policy ◽  
Cross Sectional

This paper focuses on the process of convergence in per capita CO2 emissions that would occur if the measures taken by the European Union to meet the Kyoto Protocol commitments had been effective. We apply a time series and cross-sectional analysis to test for the existence of convergence among countries and for different economic sectors. The sample covers data for the 28 member countries from 1960 to 2012. The results show weak absolute convergence across countries but clear evidence of conditional convergence, with GDP, the weight of industrial sector and the use of renewable energies being the main drivers of divergence. Concerning sectors, there is an increase of emissions in the agricultural sector, but a reduction in the industrial and energy sectors. Different patterns arise in the energy subsectors where manufacturing and electricity notably reduced their emissions while the transport sector increased them in all countries.

scholarly journals Due Diligence Driving the Success of Mergers and Acquisitions in Macedonia

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Dushica Stevchevska Srbinoska
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Mergers And Acquisitions ◽  
Due Diligence ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Republic Of Macedonia ◽  
Communications Industry ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Set Up

The act of due diligence is of vital importance when considering the possibility to enter the Macedonian market through merger and/or acquisition transactions. In this paper, I discuss that due diligence helps reduce potential risks or even results with curtailing the transaction as most of the Letters of intent never come to life. Many Macedonian entities, both public and private, operate in an environment considerably different to the European Union economies, a fact that inspires many questions with potential investors, especially in those who come from the European Union. If proper preparation takes place, and the expectations and processes are duly taken into account, successful merger and/or acquisition can be conducted in the Republic of Macedonia in spite of facing numerous difficulties.  Finally, I discuss that several suggestions/factors can maximize the chances of success, demonstrated with the example of due diligence process set-up prior to the one.Vip merger that marked the Macedonian communications industry in 2015.

scholarly journals Contentious Citizenship: Feminist Debates and Practices and European Challenges

2009 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuela Lombardo ◽  
Mieke Verloo
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Creation

Citizenship is both a contentious and contested struggle about the creation of rights, duties, and opportunities. Feminist practices and debates can clarify the meaning of citizenship. This is because the form of feminist practices, characterized by an ongoing struggle, and the content of feminist debates, focusing on gender and other inequalities, recognition of different voices, and critiques of the public and private dichotomy, are particularly suited for dealing with the challenges of contentious and contested processes of citizenship. We argue more specifically that feminist debates and practices provide fruitful contributions for the citizenship challenges that the European Union must face.

scholarly journals Competitiveness of Lithuanian Freight Transport Service Sector in the Context of the European Union

Ekonomika ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neringa Langvinienė ◽  
Jurgita Sekliuckienė
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Service Sector ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Freight Transport ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Transport Service ◽  
Firm Level ◽  
Transport Services

Progressive changes, dynamic business environment become a constant of life in several economics spheres, including the Lithuanian freight transport service sector. Lithuanian freight transport services are characterized as sector acting on the terms of high rivalry. The aim of this article is to analyse the competitiveness of the Lithuanian freight transport sector in the context of the European Union. The competitive theoretical background, estimation of competitiveness of freight transport services are analysed. The competitive analysis of the sector through the Porter’s model of five forces and internal characteristics of the enterprise defining the Lithuanian freight transport sector in terms of size and specialization is carried out. The methods of the research are systematics and a comparative analysis of scientific literature, quantitative research based on freight transport organisation survey. An empirical survey in which 349 freight transport service enterprises were examined allowed to reveal and estimate the most important factors influencing the competition intensity and the main firm-level factors that influence the companies’ competitiveness in the economic sector.

scholarly journals Reduced Consumption for Transport due to Population Ageing? An Analysis of Expenditures of Private Households in the European Union and Potential Implications for the Public Sector

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 167-190
Author(s):  
Birgit Aigner-Walder ◽  
Thomas Döring
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Retirement Age ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Consumption Expenditures ◽  
The Public ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Private Households ◽  
Theoretical Considerations

The paper focuses on potential effects of the ageing of the population on consumption expenditures of private households in the field of transport. Theoretical considerations as well as previous empirical results suggest that older households consume different goods and services than younger ones due to changing preferences and needs by increasing age. Possible consequences of these changes for goods and services in the transport sector are in focus. The expenditures of European households on transport based on the national household budget surveys of the 28 member countries of the European Union are analysed. The results suggest that expenditures in transport decrease at retirement age in all considered countries. Moreover, the structure of goods and services consumed in the transport sector changes over the life cycle of a private household, with implications for the public sector due to the ageing of the population to be expected.

scholarly journals MAIN TRENDS AND PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSPORT BIOFUELS MARKET IN THE EU AND UKRAINE

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76
Author(s):  
G.G. Geletukha ◽  
T.A. Zheliezna ◽  
S.V. Drahniev ◽  
A.I. Bashtovyi
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Second Generation Biofuels ◽  
The Past ◽  
Current State ◽  
Total Capacity ◽  
Stagnation Period ◽  
The Eu

Purpose of the work is to analyze the perspective directions for the development of transport biofuels sector in Ukraine. Current state and prospects for the production and utilization of transport biofuels in the EU are presented. It is shown that the consumption of transport biofuels in the European Union increased quite dynamically during 2004-2012, experienced a stagnation period for the next four years and started to rise again from 2017. Directive (EU) 2018/2001 (RED II) sets the mandatory target of achieving 14% of renewable energy in the EU transport sector by 2030, with a mandatory share of second generation biofuels. Analysis of the situation in Ukraine shows that the production of bioethanol and biodiesel, unfortunately, has not reached wide development. Over the past twenty years, several relevant programs were developed and approved in the country, but their implementation was not successful in terms of achieving the goals. Today, there are about 20 bioethanol producers in Ukraine with a total capacity of more than 300 kt/yr, but only 8 enterprises with a total capacity of 128 kt/yr are operating. It is known that 14 biodiesel plants with a total capacity of 300 kt/yr have been built in Ukraine, but at present they are actually idle. In addition, there are about 50 smaller enterprises capable of producing up to 25 kt of biodiesel per year, but no reliable information on the actual activity of these enterprises is available. It is obvious that the sector of transport biofuels is currently in a state of stagnation in Ukraine. To improve the situation, it is necessary to implement the consistent state policy and appropriate incentive instruments.

Regulating Medical Devices in the European Union

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurélie Mahalatchimy
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Medical Devices ◽  
The United States ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
European Regulatory ◽  
Notified Body ◽  
Private Actors ◽  
Intended Use ◽  
The Eu

This chapter addresses the regulation of medical devices in the European Union. The overall goals of the European regulatory framework for medical devices are the same as the goals of the framework for medicines. It aims to protect public health by ensuring that medical devices are of good quality and safe for their intended use. However, the regulation of medical devices in Europe is very different from the regulation of medicines in two regards. First, unlike medicines, there is no pre-market authorisation by a regulatory authority for medical devices to lawfully enter the EU market. Second, unlike in the United States where the Food and Drug Administration is the primary regulator of devices throughout the nation, the European Union does not have a single regulator of medical devices. Instead, several organisations may be involved, and mainly a notified body in specific cases. The chapter then explains what constitutes a medical device in the EU and how devices are classified according to their level of risk in the EU. It then discusses how medical devices reach the market, how their risks are managed all along their lifecycle, and what kinds of incentives are provided for innovation and competition. The chapter also analyses the balance between public and private actors in the regulation of medical devices. It then concludes with case studies of innovative medical technologies that have challenged the traditional European regulatory scheme and that have led to many revisions in the 2017 device regulations.

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