In today’s Morning Brief:

Data Act: Commission proposes measures for a fair and innovative data economy

The Commission published yesterday new rules on who can use and access data generated in the EU across all economic sectors. The Data Act will ensure fairness in the digital environment, stimulate a competitive data market, open opportunities for data-driven innovation and make data more accessible for all. It will lead to new, innovative services and more competitive prices for aftermarket services and repairs of connected objects. This last horizontal building block of the Commission’s data strategy will play a key role in the digital transformation, in line with the 2030 digital objectives. Download the Data Act factsheet and the Data Act legal text.

MOOC on European territorial cooperation

Interested in discovering the history of European territorial cooperation (Interreg)? Would you like to learn more about the key considerations which led to the creation of Interreg while keeping abreast of the very latest developments in this key 🇪🇺 initiative?

Register to the first course: 7.03-24.4

Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values Index

In 2020, the Center for AI and Digital Policy published a worldwide assessment of AI policies and practices. Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values rated and ranked 30 countries, based on a rigorous methodology and 12 metrics established to assess alignment with democratic values.

The 2021 Report expands the global coverage from 30 countries to 50 countries, acknowledges the significance of the UNESCO Recommendation on AI ethics, and reviews earlier country ratings. The 2021 report is the result of the work of more than 100 AI policy experts in almost 40 countries.

See more info here.

European Chips Survey: stakeholder survey on European chip demand

Semiconductors are central to the digital economy. They make digital products work: from smartphones and cars, to critical applications and infrastructures in health, energy, communications and automation to most other industry sectors. Yet, the world is short of semiconductors – also known as chips.

This shortage of chips has very concrete consequences for the EU economy, jobs and even leisure. Carmakers postpone the production of vehicles. Broadband providers run out of internet routers. Gamers cannot get their hands on next-generation consoles.

To better understand how the shortage of chips is affecting European industry, the European Commission invites stakeholders to contribute to the European Chips Survey. This targeted stakeholder survey on chip demand aims to collect information from actors across industrial ecosystems and from all parts of the semiconductor value chain.

Please share your contribution through the European Chips Survey, open until 20 March 2022.The results of this survey will help the Commission to assess existing and future European demand for chips as well as identify potential supply bottlenecks. The information can also help public authorities to target concrete actions, commitments and investments needed at regional, national and European levels.

International Student’s Mobility and Quality Assurance in Online Education during COVID-19 Pandemic in Europe, Oceania, and Asia

The 21st century is said to be an era in which international students move internationally across national borders. However, due to the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred in early 2020, it is difficult for international students to move internationally worldwide. Under such circumstances, most international students who initially planned to study abroad to take online education from their own countries/regions worldwide. Therefore, at this symposium, guest speakers will give a lecture on the theme of “International Student’s Mobility and Quality Assurance in Online Education during COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, Oceania, and Asia”.

Programme and speaker detail available here. Registration here.

Save the date: ERIC Forum Policy Seminar: Socio-economic impact of ERICs

The ERIC Forum Policy Seminar on the socio-economic impact of ERICs will be held on 29 April. It’ll bring together National and European stakeholders & collaborators to pave the way towards evaluating Research Infrastructures’ full value and their contribution to resilient knowledge-based economies.

Bulletins of the ROADMAP Project

The ROADMAP project has the main objective to establish a European “Doctrine on disaster risk and crisis management”, funded on the mutual cooperation between scientific communities and DRM authorities. The doctrine, that is intended as “a shared understanding of disaster management between decision-makers and scientific actors”, will be based on selected experiences, good practices and implemented solutions in EU Member States.

To achieve the main objectives of the project throughout its duration, good practices, recommendations and lessons of prevention, preparation and response are collected and selected, which are shared through periodic bulletins in support of decision-makers.

Here you can access all the bulletins published.

Germany halts Nord Stream 2

According to EURACTIV, “Germany has put a halt to the certification of the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline in response to Russia’s recognition of the two breakaway regions in the Ukrainian Donbas and announced that it would reevaluate the procedure. German chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned Russia’s “breach of all agreements under international law that Russia has explicitly entered into over the last 50 years, especially the Helsinki Final Act,” Scholz said at a press conference on Tuesday (22 February). While Germany has focused on a diplomatic approach to defuse the tense situation, Scholz stressed that the “situation today is fundamentally different.” “And therefore, in view of the latest developments, we must reassess this situation, also with regard to Nord Stream 2,” Scholz emphasized.” With Russia’s attacks in Ukraine early this morning it is uncertain what the future looks like.

Commission lays down rules for companies to respect human rights and environment in global value chains

Yesterday, the European Commission has adopted a proposal for a Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence. The proposal aims to foster sustainable and responsible corporate behavior throughout global value chains.

Companies play a key role in building a sustainable economy and society. They will be required to identify and, where necessary, prevent, end or mitigate adverse impacts of their activities on human rights, such as child labor and exploitation of workers, and on the environment, for example pollution and biodiversity loss. For businesses these new rules will bring legal certainty and a level playing field. For consumers and investors they will provide more transparency.

Make sure to read more here.

Commission presents an updated in-depth review of Europe’s strategic dependencies

Yesterday, the Commission published the second edition of the in-depth analysis of Europe’s strategic dependencies. The report looks at five areas – rare earths and magnesium, chemicals, solar panels, cybersecurity and IT software – where Europe faces strategic dependencies on third countries. The aim is to foster better understanding of the risks and opportunities to address these.

The report builds on the first analyses underpinning the 2021 Updated Industrial Strategy, in view of Europe’s transition to a green, digital, resilient and globally competitive economy, while considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Single Market.

New European Battery Academy launched to boost skills for fast-growing battery ecosystem in Europe

Yesterday, the Sixth High-Level Meeting of the European Battery Alliance took place in Brussels to discuss the progress in developing the battery value chain in Europe and to address the most pressing challenges on the way forward. The Commission also presented priority areas for the work of the European Battery Alliance in 2022.

The European Battery Academy was launched in the margins of the High-Level Meeting. By signing a letter of intent between the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and EIT InnoEnergy, the Commission will support the Academy with a grant of €10 million under the REACT-EU. The Academy aims to effectively coordinate re-skilling and up-skilling efforts at European level and to provide for the immediate roll out of high-quality training across Member States. It is part of the EU’s Skills Agenda, the Pact for Skills and a tangible EU contribution towards meeting the demand of 800,000 workers that will need to be re-skilled or up-skilled in the battery industry by 2025.

Read more here.

Airbus to test hydrogen jet engine in step towards zero emission aviation

According to EURACTIV, “Airbus has announced plans to test a hydrogen-powered jet engine by the middle of the decade, as the world’s largest plane manufacturer pushes to meet its 2035 deadline of building a zero emission aircraft. The aircraft manufacturer will fit out a superjumbo A380 with a hydrogen propulsion engine – a fuel that is entirely carbon neutral if produced with green electricity. The hydrogen engine will be fitted to the main body of the aircraft, with four traditional jet turbines remaining under the wings. The cutting edge technology will be developed in partnership with turbine manufacturer CFM International, a company jointly owned by General Electric and France’s Safran Aircraft Engines. The test is expected to take place in 2026.”.