A Europe Fit for the Digital Age
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A Europe Fit for the Digital AgeThe new European Commission recognises that an increased dependency on digitalisation is necessary to achieve climate neutrality, improve access to online services and to make Europe into a global technological leader. Increased digital dependency can only be successful if it protects the privacy rights of users through the data protection law (GDPR) and increase’s its efficiency by improving e-commerce, for both consumers and companies. For these to be achievable, new rules must be developed to accommodate technological advancements which benefit the economy and society. These measures constitute the Commission’s digital strategy plan and aim to make the EU fit for the digital age. Policy Areas
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Better access to online goods for consumers and businesses
The right environment for digital networks and services
General Documents
Recent DevelopmentsThe industrial sector of Europe must remain as competitive as possible to deal with the challenges of globalisation. With this in mind, the Commission has released its new Industrial Strategy which will ensure not only ensure Europe’s digitalisation but assist in making it greener and more circular. The Commission revealed its digitalisation plan for Europe, which will allow digitalisation to empower society, priorities citizens, creates opportunities and protects Europe’s democracy and economy.
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IntroductionNew challenges are emerging both on a European and global level. The new European Commission aims to tackle these challenges with six priorities which utilise the shared values that unite Europe. Priorities include, making Europe a climate-neutral continent by 2050, boosting investment for jobs and designing regulations that facilitate technological innovation. The priorities are summarised below and a more in-depth description of each one can be found in their respective sections. European Green Deal The threats posed by climate change have prompted the EC to propose the Green Deal which addresses how climate change policies impact different areas of our lives including transport systems, building and renovation, skill sets, personal habits, clean energy and sustainable food systems. Implementation of these policies will be supported through the mobilisation of €1 trillion over the next decade and the employment of the Just Transition Mechanism. An economy that works for people The EC recognises that the economy of Member States should be developed to ensure it is beneficial to its citizens. Thereby, it seeks to make the economic and monetary union more stable, fair and democratically accountable and expand in different policy areas and harmonise the internal market. In parallel, working towards sustainable job creation and growth. A Europe Fit for the Digital Age The rapid innovation of technology requires legislation that will facilitate its development, while at the same time maintaining a high level of online protection. The EU’s digital strategy is designed to support technology for the benefit of EU citizens, allows for innovation to flourish, protect and facilitate climate policies, healthcare and democracy. Promoting our European way of life Equality, security and justice are fundamental to the European way of life. The EU is dedicated to promoting, protecting and strengthening these rights through the rule of law, including the improvement of consumer rights and reforming the migration system. A stronger Europe in the world The EU’s foreign policy focuses on cooperation and a rule-based global order; by implementing a trade policy which upholds EU’s standards, enhancing European security and defence, cooperating with neighbouring countries and providing humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable around the world. A new push for European democracy cigarette The involvement of EU citizens is fundamental for a functioning EU, as a result, the EC will initiate a conference on the future of Europe which will open the decision-making process to all whom are effected by it. The EC proposes to adapt regulations for a more transparent, efficient and effective EU law-making process. |
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European Green DealThe global effects of climate change are becoming ever more present as time passes. The cost of climate inaction and the continuation of current energy production, industrial and daily habits will lead to irreversible damage. Air pollution will cause hundreds of thousands of premature deaths annually, heat and drought will pose both health, migration and natural habitat risks. These changes in our environment will lead to added strains to EU economies with estimated annual damages reaching €190bn and food prices rising by 20% globally by 2050. The European Green Deal, proposed by the newly elected European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen in December 2019, has become the centre piece of the new Commission. The Deal aims to make the EU climate-neutral by 2050 by assisting companies to become leaders in clean products and technologies while at the same time guaranteeing a just transition for those effected most by the changes made. Policy areas covered by the Deal include clean energy, energy efficiency of buildings, sustainable mobility and pollution to ensure that climate change is tackled in all major polluting sectors. Policy Areas
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General Documents
Recent DevelopmentsThe Commission has released its roadmap for the European Green Deal, outlining all policy areas that will be affected by the Green Deal.
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An Economy that Works for PeopleThe EU, over the past decades, has developed an economy which has allowed its beneficiaries to thrive, however, the European Commission understands the need for an economy to serve all of its citizens in a socially fair manner which, at the same time, promotes growth and development. The Commission has made it one of its key priorities to ensure that the economy works for all of its people. This will be achieved by deepening the economic and monetary union while at the same time making it more democratically accountable and stable. The Commission will also focus on increasing investment with the objective of further growth and jobs. Policy areas
Related Documents to Policy AreasA deeper and fairer economic and monetary union
General Documents
Recent DevelopmentsOn February 5, the Commission launched a public debate on the future of the EU’s economic governance following the release of a review on the economic surveillance framework’s effectiveness. The framework guides Member States to achieve fiscal and economic policy targets. |
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Promoting our European Way of LifeThe European way of life, according to President von der Leyen, is characterised by European values, such as, tolerance, equality and social fairness. These values are upheld and protected by the ‘rule of law’ (Treaty 2012/C 326/01) meaning all Member States, citizens and EU institutions respect and follow the fundamental rights and laws that are democratically developed for the EU. To ensure compliance, the European Commission is launching a 'rule of law' mechanism which will report on both negative and positive developments on the ‘rule of law’ in Member States. Furthermore, the EC believes it’s necessary, for promoting the European way of life, to rethink its migration policies, cooperating against EU-wide threats and crimes as well as protecting consumer’s rights.
Policy Areas
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General Documents
Recent Developments The EC published a new report on the confiscation of profits made by organised crime groups. The report highlights new measures which should be considered to deal with these crimes effectively and overviews on the actions of European and international instruments specialised in the field.
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A Stronger Europe in the WorldThe European Commission is responsible for formulating the EU’s international partnership and development policy, with the ultimate goal to reduce poverty, ensure sustainable development, and promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law across the world. This priority strives to make the EU a stronger global actor by developing a foreign policy to ensure political stability with economic and environmental development. For a more peaceful and humane world, the Commission believes in strengthening the EU’s defence and security for effective deterrence and containment of crises while providing humanitarian aid to those who need it most. The Commission, also, wants to ensure that EU businesses and investment can thrive through trade policies that protect consumers by upholding the EU’s health and safety requirements.
Policy Areas
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International Cooperation and Development
Humanitarian aid, civil protection
A balanced and progressive trade policy to harness globalisation
The European Defence industry
General Documents
Recent DevelopmentsTo strengthen the EU’s autonomy and competitiveness, the EC announced that it will finance 16 EU-wide defence industrial projects and three technology projects. The funds will come from the European Defence Fund’s two precursor programmes at a total value of €205 million. |
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A New Push for European DemocracyOne of the European Commission’s priorities is to enhance European democracy, which gives EU citizens a stronger voice in the decision-making process for developing policies. The Commission is in the process of implementing various forums which will enable citizens to put forward their opinions and ideas, for instance, ‘Have your say’ and the Conference on the Future of Europe (see Policy Areas). The foundations of the Commission’s belief for broader involvement of its citizens is based on the concept of collective intelligence, where many people pool their thinking for better solutions to problems. By implementing collective intelligence and understanding the demographic changes in Member States, the Commission can develop more coherent policies, which will facilitate the growing shift in the EU’s demography and address the needs of its citizens. The Commission will engage in consolidating its partnership with the European Parliament, the voice of the people, by ensuring its involvement at all stages of international negotiations, as well as transparency and integrity throughout the legislative process. In addition to improving democratic and decision-making processes, the Commission will also tackle threats to these processes, such as disinformation.
Policy Areas
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The impact of demographic change in Europe
Have your say on Commission initiatives
General Documents
Recent DevelopmentsThe EC adopted its first-ever Report on the Impact of Demographic Change, which outlines the drivers of this long-term change and the impact it will have. Additionally, it emphasises the connections between demographic structures and the effects and recovery potential from the crisis. |
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