The European Commission has published a Communication on how Member States can manage climate risks, responding to the European Environment Agency’s European Climate Risk Assessment report. The four main categories of action identified by the Commission to manage and get ahead of climate risks are improved governance by Member States, better tools for empowering risk owners to better understand the interlinkage between climate risks, investment and long-term financing strategies, harnessing structural policies and establishing the right preconditions for financing climate resilience. The Commission also puts forward suggestions for action in the natural ecosystems, water, health, food, infrastructure, built environment and the economy clusters.

The European Commission has published guidelines under the Digital Services Act (DSA) on recommended measures to Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) to mitigate systemic risks online that may impact the integrity of elections, with specific guidance for the June 2024 European Parliament elections. The DSA compels VLOPs and VLOSEs to mitigate the risks related to electoral processes, while safeguarding fundamental rights, including the right to freedom of expression. The guidelines recommend mitigation measures and best practice to reach that balance. Should the Commission receive information casting doubt on the suitability of measures adopted by VLOPs and VLOSEs, it can request further information or start formal proceedings under the DSA. Moreover, to add an additional element of readiness, the Commission plans a stress test with relevant stakeholders at the end of April 2024 to exercise the most effective use of the instruments and the cooperative mechanisms that have been put in place.

The European Commission has published Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the Data Act, which establishes rules on data access and use to enhance data availability and promote innovation while ensuring fairness. The Act will apply from 12 September 2025 and, alongside the Data Governance Act, aims to create a single market for data in Europe. The FAQs cover the relationship between the Data Act and Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation), access to and use of data in relation to the Internet-of-Things (for users, data holders and third parties), fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory conditions, compensation and dispute resolution, switching between data processing services, enforcement etc.

The European Commission has published an FAQ document on the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive which entered into force on 25 July 2024. The Directive sets out a corporate due diligence duty for large companies to identify and address adverse human rights impacts, environmental impacts in their own operations, their subsidiaries and in their activity chains, and an obligation for large companies to adopt a transition plan for climate change mitigation.

The European Commission has published frequently asked questions (FAQs) on literacy requirements under Article 4 of the EU AI Act. The guide answers FAQs on the definitions of Article 4 and the EU AI Act, compliance and enforcement of Article 4, the AI Office's approach to AI literacy and other useful resources.

The European Commission has published a set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to facilitate the implementation of the EU taxonomy for sustainable economic activities. These FAQs provide technical explanations on various facets of the taxonomy, encompassing the application of general requirements, technical screening criteria for specific activities outlined in the Climate and Environmental Delegated Acts, and the generic 'do no significant harm' (DNSH) criteria.

The European Commission has published a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to make the EU sustainable finance framework more usable for companies and reduce their administrative burden. The FAQs clarify the interpretation of certain provisions introduced by Directive (EU) 2022/2464, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), into Directive 2013/34/EU (the Accounting Directive), Directive 2006/43/EC (the Audit Directive), Regulation (EU) No 537/2014 (the Audit Regulation), and Directive 2004/109/EC (the Transparency Directive). They also clarify certain provisions in Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 (the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation) and the interpretation of certain provisions of the first set of European Sustainability Reporting Standards (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2772). The European Commission intends to use the FAQs to facilitate the implementation of the CSRD and the compliance of stakeholders with the regulatory requirements in a way that is cost-effective and retains the usability and comparability of the reported information on sustainability. The FAQS take into account input received from companies and cover issues such as scope, application dates, and available exemptions.

The Platform of Sustainable Finance (PSF), an advisory body to the European Commission, has published a report on ‘monitoring capital flows to sustainable investments.’ The purpose of the report is to propose an architecture to measure the effective contribution of finance towards the objectives of the European Green Deal. The Platform will release a final report at the end of its mandate, which will include any refinements to the methodological approach based on the continued work, an analysis of preliminary data, and a proposal for operationalising periodical monitoring.

The European Commission has published a report titled ‘Platform on Sustainable Finance report on Building trust in transition: core elements for assessing corporate transition plans’. The report provides guidance for financial market participants and companies to align their business models with the European Union's environmental objectives, aiming for a net-zero, resilient, and inclusive economy by 2050. The report follows the Commission's June 2023 recommendations on the voluntary use of EU sustainable finance tools for transition finance, which involves financing investments that contribute to the transition while avoiding lock-ins.

The European Commission has released the State of the Energy Union Report 2024, highlighting the EU's progress in energy security, market control, and climate goals. The report reveals the EU's greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 32.5% compared with 1990, there was a 18% reduction in gas demand between August 2022 and May 2024 which saved 138 billion cubic metres of gas and energy prices are more stable. Despite this, further improvements are needed in energy efficiency and reducing energy poverty. Member States must update their National Energy and Climate Plans to meet 2030 targets. The EU is also enhancing its energy competitiveness through new legislation and industrial partnerships.

The European Commission has published the final Terms and Conditions for its second renewable hydrogen auction (IF24 Auction), opening on 3 December 2024, with up to £1.2bn available for renewable hydrogen producers in the EEA. Building on the success of the previous auction, this initiative aims to bolster the renewable hydrogen market by providing financial support for projects classified as Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin and offering a fixed premium for up to ten years. Higher maturity level requirements for application, a revised price ceiling and a dedicated budget for maritime projects are also key features of this auction.

The European Commission has published the transition pathway for the agri-food industrial ecosystem, which focuses on the food processing industry. This has been co-created by the Commission, Member States, and stakeholders including industry associations and non-governmental organisations. EU policies and programmes have been published to mobilise and support the transition towards a green, digital and resilient EU agri-food industrial ecosystem, inviting national and regional authorities to also mobilise their policies accordingly. It recognises challenges and prospects, and proposes actions to boost its contribution to a competitive, sustainable, resilient and fair EU agri-food system. Highlights include the food system's competitiveness and resilience's need for fair returns for all players in the value chain, smart sustainability investments to limit food inflation, support for the international attractiveness of EU agri-food exports, and implementation of circular business models. The pathway aims to encourage industrial stakeholders to take up the EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices (the Code), while enabling actions to achieve the Code's sustainability objectives. A proposition to boost collaboration between various business support organisations, and increasing the awareness of research and innovation funding opportunities, particularly sustainability innovation, are also mentioned. The transition pathway launches during the Open Food Conference on 11 March 2024. The Commission is to implement a Transition Pathway Stakeholder Support Platform to facilitate the implementation of the transition pathway.