EU Strategy Research Articles

Material Flow Cost Accounting as a Resource-Saving Tool for Emerging Recycling Technologies

Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) is an environmental management accounting method that allocates costs to material and energy flows through a process, thereby enabling a simultaneous reduction in environmental impacts alongside an improvement in business and economic efficiency. This study illustrates the versatility of MFCA beyond its usual application to existing production and manufacturing processes. In this paper, MFCA is used to assess the financial viability of two emerging recycling technologies, IRETA2 (Development and Evaluation of Recycling Routes to Recover Tantalum from Electronic Waste) and ReComp (Development of an Innovative, Economically and Ecologically Sensible Recycling Method for Metallised ABS and PC/ABS Composite Waste). These two projects differ in their process structure. Whilst IRETA2 is a strictly linear recycling process, ReComp consists of two process streams, split according to the treatment of its two material fractions. For both projects, the lab-scale experimental results were used to develop an MFCA model of the recycling process scaled at each project partner’s facilities. MFCA was utilised to calculate the projects’ overall profit or loss, the impact of the final products’ market conditions and processing rate (in the case of IRETA2), or machinery capacity (for ReComp) on the overall results. The results show that neither IRETA2 nor ReComp are financially viable based on the current output products’ market value and quantity produced. However, through a sensitivity analysis, it is demonstrated that IRETA2 could become financially viable if the processing rate or market conditions were to improve. Additionally, ReComp could become financially viable if there was an increase in machine capacity. Finally, this paper also explores possible implications of MFCA when applied to emerging recycling technologies on EU policy and strategy, particularly those related to the EU Green Deal, such as extended producer responsibility and supply chain acts.

Towards a benchmark of national training requirements for continuous cover forestry (CCF) in Sweden

Continuous cover forestry (CCF) is forest management based on ecological and biological principles. CCF particularly requires the abandonment of clearfelling practices in favour of more natural approaches of regeneration. Recently, CCF has been identified as a way to mitigate climate change, to bring about forest conservation and to meet the diverse requirements of recreation forests. EU strategies support the use of CCF and Sweden is committed to the transformation of 20% of its plantation forest land to CCF. This policy change meets the Swedish forest industry rather unprepared. CCF training is therefore urgently required and we applied marteloscope techniques to begin with establishing a benchmark of training requirements. A marteloscope is a forest research plot where all trees are measured and have clearly visible numbers on the stem surface. We carried out a first marteloscope experiment at the Svartberget experimental forest near Umeå in Northern Sweden involving 13 test persons that we asked to carry out CCF management by selecting trees that are supposed to stay behind and others that are to be taken out in order to achieve CCF objectives. We applied specialised statistics to analyse the trainees’ choices and thus to measure their current state of silvicultural knowledge and experience. The results were interpreted in the context of data previously obtained from 26 comparable marteloscope experiments in Britain. The Svartberget results were in parts similar to and sometimes even closer to theoretical expectations than the British results, but also revealed that more intensive training was required in individual-based forest management, which is an important part of CCF. A new didactic technique, the competitor-for-frame tree rule, tightening the link between evicted and residual trees has contributed to the good tree-selection performance at Svartberget.

COMMUNICATING IN MULTI-CULTURAL EUROPE

The article is part of a research on the management of communication in the EU programs. It analyzes the way in which EU communicates with its citizens and it studies the EU strategy for communication. The findings show that from 2001 to 2007, the Commission has made a lot of efforts to improve communication. The EU citizens have access to legislation, procedures and information in their national tongue and the possibility to communicate with all the institutions in 23 official languages. Nevertheless, the surveys indicate a general lack of interest of the public opinion in the European problems and the EU policy. Improving the way in which EU communicates with its citizens remains an ongoing process. The author suggests that the Romanian people should also be informed about the communication problems faced by the founding member states, so that adequate measures can be taken.

Fire-smart solutions for sustainable wildfire risk prevention: Bottom-up initiatives meet top-down policies under EU green deal

Fuel management for wildfire risk prevention generally lacks economic sustainability. In marginal areas of southern Europe, this limits fuel treatment programs from reaching the critical mass of required treated area to modify landscape flammability, the fire regime and its impacts.This study investigates key fuel management initiatives for wildfire risk prevention in southern EU countries. We compared local approaches through a bottom-up selection of 38 initiatives, which we analyzed systematically through a set of fire-smart criteria: sustainability, cost-benefit ratio, synergies and inter-sectoral cooperation, integration between strategic prevention planning and multiple land governance goals (e.g., rural development, biodiversity conservation, energy supply), innovation and knowledge transfer, and adaptive management.We summarized lessons learned from the most innovative initiatives, by identifying solutions and functional approaches for building sustainable fuel management at the landscape scale, under fire-smart management principles. These make synergistic use of private, public and European resources to activate value chains that valorize the products, by-products and services generated by fuel management activities and their positive externalities on ecosystem services. The multiple mechanisms include fire-marketing, Payment for Ecosystem Services schemes, specific taxes, or environmental compensatory measures. These mechanisms catalyze the interest of multiple stakeholders (economic actors, private owners, land and fire management agencies) improving the cost-efficiency of landscape fuel management.We contend that the EU Green Deal offers the political backing and framework (mainstreaming of EU strategies and funding opportunities) to enable the replication of documented fire-smart models and functional approaches to wildfire risk prevention.

The Influence of Cultural Factors on Choosing Low-Emission Passenger Cars

The decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by passenger cars is one of the key factors for climate protection measures. Besides EU strategies for low-emission mobility, policy makers must consider the behavioural factors of buyers. This study aims to cover this gap by investigating the relation between the national cultural dimensions (Hofstede model) and car adoption by fuel type in EU countries. This could help car sellers to find better solutions for advertising cars with medium and low greenhouse gas emissions. To find better ways to increase the usage of medium- and low-emission cars using targeted advertising, correlations and a multiple regression analysis were used. The results show that the consumer preference for one type of fuel is correlated with at least one of Hofstede’s six cultural dimensions: the power distance index; individualism versus collectivism; masculinity versus femininity; the uncertainty avoidance index; long-term orientation versus short-term normative orientation; indulgence versus restraint. The major conclusion of the study underlines that, with increases in the individualism versus collectivism and indulgence versus restraint scores, the usage of low- and medium-emission cars also increases, and with the increase in the power distance and uncertainty avoidance index, the usage of low- and medium emission cars decreases. At the same time, the driving preference for low- and medium-emission vehicles decreases with the tendency towards collectivism and restraint of EU countries.

Measuring the digital inclusion of women: a poset-based approach to the women in digital scoreboard.

The participation of women in digital society is essential to achieving the objectives of Agenda 2030 and an essential component in the EU strategy for the digital transition. This article applies a poset-based approach to the European Women in Digital (WiD) Scoreboard, to examine the digital inclusion of women in EU Member States and in the UK. The poset methodology enables us to identify the most significant indicators for each of the dimensions of the Scoreboard, considering the EU-28 as well as different clusters of countries, and to construct a new ranking that deals with the shortcomings of the aggregative approaches, the pre-treatment of data and the full compensability effect generated by arithmetic means. Our results show that two indicators, STEM graduates and the unadjusted pay gap, are the most significant for achieving the digital inclusion of women. Our research contributes to better understanding the dynamics and the factors facilitating the digital inclusion of women in the EU-28 Member States, providing a clustering of EU countries into four performance groups depending on the digital inclusion of women. It also contributes to the design of more targeted and effective policies for integrating gender equality into the EU digital transition strategy.

Economic instruments of the EU's political influence in Central Asia

The subject of this article is the assessment of the competitiveness of the European Union in the "Big Game" for influence in Central Asia. Brussels is actively using economic opportunities to promote its foreign policy interests. It is worth noting that for the Central Asian countries that pursue a multi-vector and pragmatic foreign policy, economic cooperation with the European Union is also a priority. The article examines the effectiveness of the use of some economic instruments of EU influence in relation to the countries of Central Asia. Particular attention is paid to assessing the effectiveness of the development of trade relations and the creation of preferential regimes, the provision of financial assistance as an instrument of political coercion. Based on the analysis of statistical data, the position is confirmed that the restrictions in the field of trade and investment, the conditions for providing financial assistance imposed by Brussels to exert political pressure on the countries of the region are ineffective. The author comes to the conclusion that political blackmail by the EU against the Central Asian states reduces the level of their trust. Ignorance of local specifics complicates the implementation of joint projects and programs. It is stated that the EU strategy in Central Asia is losing out to the strategies of third countries, primarily China and Russia.

PREREQUISITES FOR ENSURING THE PRODUCTION OF ANIMALS IN ORDER TO OBTAIN HIGH-QUALITY AND SAFE PRODUCTS IN UKRAINE AND THE EU

The EU's Animal Protection and Welfare Strategy, dubbed "Farm to Fork" and implemented in 2012, has prompted a number of actions to improve animal welfare standards in recent years. According to the Association Agreement, EU animal protection acts should

Growth models in Europe’s Eastern and Southern peripheries: between national and EU politics

ABSTRACT This paper analyses the political origins of diverse peripheral growth models in Europe, focusing on debt-based consumption-led growth model in Southern Europe and FDI-based export-led growth model in Central and Eastern Europe. Contrary to existing approaches that attribute this East-South divergence to their geographic position and systemic features of European monetary integration, the paper argues that these growth models stem from different national and EU-level policy responses to the challenge of core-periphery market integration. While the Southern states sought to protect domestic firms, allowing for, or even directly contributing to deindustrialisation in the face of competition with the European core economies, Central and East European states aimed to preserve their industrial legacy even at the expense of FDI-dependency. These policy responses were, in turn, shaped by distinct patterns of interaction and accommodation between segments of state elites and domestic economic groups, as well as by dramatically different EU strategies of governing integration. In contrast with society-centred perspectives on the politics of growth models, the paper highlights the autonomous role of the state as a key actor balancing between the demands and accommodation of domestic economic groups, and the constraints and opportunities created by regional institutions governing market integration.

Study of the Multimodal Freight Transport Sector in Romania: Analysis of the External and Internal Environment

The paper studies the current situation of the multimodal freight transport sector in Romania, using the analysis of its external and internal environment. The goal is to find out what are the pluses and minuses of this sector and what strategies must be adopted so that the targets set by the European Green Deal can be reached. This EU strategy emphasizes that, in order to reduce pollution, emphasis must be placed on multimodal transport, with an emphasis on rail transport. Thus, the general external environment is defined by the following factors: demographic, economic, technological, ecological, etc. While the labor force crisis in the road transport of goods deepens, and the average age of the staff in the railway sector is getting higher, the policy of the EU and, implicitly, of the EU member states stimulates multimodal transport, in order to reduce CO2 emissions. The Porter model shows that, despite the forces acting in a negative direction, the multimodal freight transport market is attractive. At the same time, from the strategic group belong both multinational corporations and enterprises with domestic capital, which underlines the attractiveness of the market. Thus, it is necessary to apply the strategy that involves a reduction of costs, but not by decreasing the quality of the services offered. On the other hand, the SWOT analysis indicates that multimodal freight transport in Romania is in the ideal/maximum situation. Therefore, it is necessary to apply an aggressive strategy. Thus a net competitive advantage will be ensured. The strategy consists in stimulating rail freight transport, which will contribute to reducing pollution.

Circular Business Model Strategies Progressing Sustainability in the German Textile Manufacturing Industry

The EU Textile Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles calls for circularity along the whole value chain of textiles. However, little is known about how circularity is already embedded in German manufacturing textile industries due to a lack of literature. Having conducted a survey study in December 2022 and January 2023, the results of 56 participating German manufacturing textile industries will be presented by applying descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis. The study shows that there is already an understanding of circularity including circular strategies in the German textile manufacturing industry. There are companies that apply the following circular business model strategies: upcycling and recycling, product-as-a-service, repair and reuse, and material innovation. Closed-loop supply chain companies are not yet prominent. Many manufacturing textile companies are not prepared yet for a circular transformation. Another finding is that the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles is so far insufficiently known by the respondents of the sample. A more structured provision of information or financial state support should be discussed.

EU – WESTERN BALKANS: PROBLEMS OF INTEGRATION

The article examines the results of December EU-Western Balkans Summit and the EU strategy concerning EU – Western Balkans integration. It notes that the summit became a new step in realization of the EU integration strategy in relation to the Western Balkans states. At this stage the strategy is focused on strengthening its political and economic influence in the region and on alignment of the Western Balkans states with the priorities of the EU common security and defense policy, including on the questions of the Ukrainian conflict and related sanctions. At the same time the EU integration strategy creates incentives aimed at realization of necessary reforms in the region with the purpose of strengthening internal stability in the region and prevention of potential conflicts inside of the Western Balkans states as well as among them and first of all between Serbia and Kosovo. The author analyzes the main conflicts in the region which negatively affect stability and security in the Western Balkans and the integration process in general. Special attention is devoted to the escalation of conflict between Serbia and Kosovo which could create serious threat to stability in the region and jeopardize the integration process itself as well as the EU mediation efforts aimed at normalization of relationships between Serbia and Kosovo. The author considers that further EU strategy would be developed on two parallel tracks – acceleration of integration process with the Western Balkans states and increasing effectiveness of the EU mediation mission aimed at achieving comprehensive agreement on normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo.

The Swedish green infrastructure policy as a policy assemblage: What does it do for biodiversity conservation?

AbstractGreen infrastructure (GI) is increasingly used in policymaking to promote biodiversity and enhance ecosystem services through the protection, creation, restoration and connection of natural and man‐made green areas.The EU Commission adopted in 2013, the concept as a strategy. When member states apply the policy, it is translated into specific bureaucratic and political systems, creating different ‘policy assemblages’ of ideas and institutional features.We analyse the Swedish GI policy to draw conclusions about how it has been assembled in one particular member state and what that particular assemblage will imply for biodiversity conservation. In combination with understanding policies as assemblages, we use the ‘What's the problem represented to be’‐approach as method.We show that the Swedish GI policy assemblage consists of a mix of policy ideas developed in Sweden and the EU. Despite the current strong focus on biodiversity conservation, the notion of land's multifunctionality, characterizing the EU strategy and the possibility to conserve biodiversity on land used for purposes other than conservation increasingly influence the Swedish policy as it is formed.Although the policy has the potential to mainstream biodiversity conservation measures across different sectors, based on our analysis of current discourse, its implementation will likely promote GI measures less disruptive to existing land use activities, making its capacity to halt biodiversity loss marginal.Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.

Značaj Direktive 2019/1151 u procesu digitalizacije kompanijskog prava Evropske unije

With the rapid development of information and communication technologies in the EU, the establishment of the digital single market through the EU's strategy has allowed for fair market competition using the internet by both individuals (natural persons) and legal entities. However, regulatory disparities among EU member states have posed challenges for businesses engaged in cross-border activities within the EU's single market. There are big differences among member states in terms of the availability of internet tools that enable entrepreneurs and companies to communicate with competent bodies regarding issues related to their business. Furthermore, e-government services differ among member states. Some member states offer comprehensive user-friendly services entirely online, while others struggle to provide digital solutions at crucial stages of a company's life cycle. In certain EU member states, the establishment of a company or the submission of document and information amendments to the register are only allowed in person, or in person or electronically, while in some member states this can only be done electronically. Digitalization was supposed to simplify the procedures for establishing business entities and enable free business establishment at the EU level. The aim of this paper is to analyze the legislative framework at the EU level, which should facilitate business operations in the digital world and provide security to participants in the European single market, with a special focus on EU Directive 2019/1151.

ПРАВОВЕ РЕГУЛЮВАННЯ ВІДНОВЛЮВАЛЬНОЇ ЕНЕРГЕТИКИ: ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКИЙ ТА УКРАЇНСЬКИЙ ПІДХОДИ

Fossil fuel sources are the main source of energy in the energy sector, meanwhile dependence on natural gas and oil is the biggest cause of the environmental crisis. In the future, the demand for energy will grow, and this problem cannot be solved only through non-renewable sources. In recent decades, positive changes have been observed around the world towards expanding renewable energy capacities as an alternative way to meet the growing energy problems of humankind and prevent further consequences of climate change on our planet. It was noted that at the moment there has not been adopted a unified international document that would regulate the sphere of using alternative energy sources and would be mandatory for execution, despite the growing interest in alternative energy sources. The European vector of Ukraine’s development contributes to the interest in the legal regulation of renewable energy in the European Union. The development of renewable energy industry sources is an important element of the sustainable development strategy, in particular: at the global level – the Sustainable Development Goals for the period up to 2030, adopted in September 2015 by the UN General Assembly; at the regional level – the EU Sustainable Development Strategy; at the national level – Basic principles (strategy) of the state environmental policy of Ukraine for the period up to 2030. There were considered the provisions of the EU directives, the EU Sustainable Development Strategy, the EU Strategy in the field of energy and the fight against climate change until 2030, which are related to renewable energy industry. It were drawing attention to the broad interpretation of alternative energy sources in the legislation of Ukraine in comparison with the European approach, as well as to the ambiguous understanding of this term. It has been proven that the introduction of renewable energy industry sources in Ukraine is going on rather slow, which is primarily due to the imperfection of domestic legislation in this area, as well as low investment indicators in this promising branch of the national economy. The harmonization of the national regulatory framework with European legislation on this issue is attributed as the positive features of the legal regulation in the sphere of development of renewable energy industry.

РАЗВИТИЕ ПОЛИТИКИ ЕВРОПЕЙСКОГО СОЮЗА ПО ПРОТИВОДЕЙСТВИЮ ДЕЗИНФОРМАЦИИ СКВОЗЬ ПРИЗМУ МУЛЬТИСТЕЙКХОЛДЕРНОГО ПОДХОДА

The ongoing transformation of the digital space has modified the threat of online disinformation. Various actors search for the ways to mitigate its negative impact. This article examines the counter disinformation actions of the European Union. These actions rely on the cooperation of the EU institutions with civil society and online platforms. The goal of this study is to assess the involvement of various stakeholders in the process of countering disinformation through the analysis of the existing EU programs and strategies. The article studies the evolution of the EU’s policy and is based on a multistakeholder analysis of the disinformation-countering process. The study revealed the EU’sstrong reliance on civilsociety and platforms, as well as a lack oftransparent mechanisms to monitor the implementation of the adopted plans and strategies. The EU externalizes the threat and places excessive emphasis on the self-control of platforms. Yet, the negative impact of disinformation on society becomes recognized in the related EU policies (cybersecurity, education, etc.). This article illustrates important experience and indicates the EU’s strategic vision in tackling disinformation.

Інструменти фінансування екологічного розвитку ЄС

The aim of the article is to scientifically substantiate the role of modern EU financing instruments in stimulating ecological development. The research methodology is based on the content analysis of ecological development financing instruments in the EU, their comparison and scientific generalization to substantiate further priorities for the implementation of the EU strategy «European Green Deal». The authors have examined the models of management of financial resources in the EU – direct, joint and indirect management. It is found that the EU Member States and their competent authorities develop their own national programs, coordinate the selection of projects, as well as ensure the operational management of such programs and the implementation of payments. The article shows that the most used financial instrument used within the framework of the EU programs and funds for the provision of financial resources are grants. It is determined that recently in some areas of the EU policies (first of all, in regional, entrepreneurial, and innovation) such instruments as budget guarantees and bank financing instruments (loans, credit guarantees, equity investments) have been actively developing, aimed mainly at profitable and economically viable projects. In the current planned financial period from 2021 to 2027, most EU financial programs and funds have an ecological component. At the same time, a number of the EU programs are created specifically for the purposes of sustainable development, greening of production, prevention and adaptation to climate change, as well as environmental protection, including the LIFE program, the Innovation Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the Modernization Fund. The authors show that the instruments for financing ecological development in the EU cover a wide range of potential beneficiaries, which include not only government agencies and the business sector, but also research institutions and public organizations.

Transformation of Municipal Waste Management in Poland Towards a Circular Economy

Municipal waste management in Poland has continuously changed over the past years regarding collection systems and disposal processes. After joining the EU, the approach to waste management changed dramatically, intensifying selective collection and implementing recovery and treatment processes. Recent years have shown that a further fundamental overhaul in the waste sector is needed to convert the sector to a closed-loop economy. These challenges are appearing in Poland, forcing actions in which the efficiency of the waste stream management system should generate added value in the form of sourced raw materials, materials and products. The waste generated should be managed following the waste hierarchy, in which disposal is the least desirable process. The work aims to analyse the current state of municipal waste management in Poland concerning applicable legal requirements, waste management hierarchy and the use of the best available technologies. The data from the analysis was used to determine where Poland is currently, heading towards transforming to a circular economy in the technological, social, environmental and economic areas. The research results showed the need to reduce the waste generated, including a significant reduction in the amount of waste stored in landfills and a significant increase in the recycling rates of municipal waste. In this context, supporting the transition to a closed-loop economy is essential in creating a low-carbon, recycling and innovative waste management, implementing EU strategies.

The regulatory landscape for mobility as a service in a Europe fit for the digital age

The digitalisation is transforming all aspects of modern society; it also brings new models and services to urban mobility. Mobility as a service represents such new services based on shared mobility enabled by data driven coordination and optimisation. The new regulatory frameworks on data governance implementing the EU strategy for the digital transformation are currently in final stages of adoption. In our contribution, we seek to provide a timely reflection of the opportunities and limits that are to be set by these legislative acts on the future of mobility as a service in the EU.

The “power of weakness”? The Western Balkans and Europe’s global neighbourhood

Putin?s war in Ukraine might result in a shift from the worn-out refrain of ?Europeanization? towards a more realist approach to EU enlargement and its geostrategic stakes. Russia has turned into a significant threat due to its weakness rather than its power. The author considers the ?power of weakness? a crucial concept in the ongoing aggression and its geostrategic consequences. Paradoxically, weakness might be an actual source of power in these uncertain times of global transformation. is that an opportunity for the Western Balkans (WB)? Analyzing the troublesome Western Balkans? EU integration based on their economic, demographic, and other (limited) features while relying on the decolonization approach, the author finds that their integration constitutes an emergency precisely due to their weak points. Russia and China seek for weakening states across the globe, minor players where anti-Western feelings are easy to instrumentalize. The WB candidates deserve to be better integrated into the list of European priorities. A lack of EU strategy in the WB might indicate the absence of sound perspectives for the Union?s broader international role. The paper explores Bertrand Badie?s decolonization approach, applying it to the Western Balkans, Hungary?s practice regarding the ?power of the weak?, and Turkey, aiming to illustrate that weakness should not be perceived solely as the opposite of power, but as a suspicious international element since the Cold War onwards.