This webinar examined how evolving EU plant health and phytosanitary regulations can balance safety, trade, and sustainability, with a focus on innovative post-harvest treatments and their implications for international market access.

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Effective plant health measures are essential to protect agriculture, biodiversity, and global food security while enabling safe international trade. Yet many food, plant, and human health regulations—such as SPS measures—though crucial for safety, create compliance costs, cause border rejections in case of non-compliance, and subject market access to the respect of conditions.

Their stringency and limited harmonization place burdens on exporters in developing countries, especially smallholders, thereby challenging market access.

Against this backdrop, the regulatory framework for plant health and phytosanitary treatments is evolving rapidly. This webinar examined upcoming EU developments, focusing on innovative, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly post-harvest treatments—such as heat, cold, irradiation, and controlled atmosphere—to prevent the spread of regulated pests. Experts from DG AGRI and DG SANTE, academics and businesses discussed future standards, compliance requirements, scientifically based protocols, and engagement with regulatory authorities and industry. The session provided a platform to explore how policy and regulation can balance safety, trade, and sustainability.

Programme

Introduction:

• Fabio Santeramo (Florence School of Regulation, EUI)

Speakers:

• Wolfgang Reinert (DG SANTE, European Commission)
• Dany Bylemans  (Pcfruit, KU Leuven)
• Emilia Lamonaca (University of Foggia)

Q&A Session:

• Darija Lemic (University of Zagreb, GREENER)

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Geothermal energy is increasingly recognised as a strategic pillar of Europe’s clean energy transition, particularly for district heating, industrial heat, and firm renewable power. Yet its deployment has long been constrained by fragmented geological data, high upfront risks, and regulatory complexity.

This online debate centres on the launch of GeoMap Europe, a new continent-wide geothermal mapping platform developed by Project InnerSpace, which integrates millions of subsurface data points into an open, accessible visualisation of Europe’s geothermal resources.

The discussion examined how GeoMap Europe can help overcome information and risk barriers, support the implementation of EU climate and energy legislation, and accelerate geothermal deployment in line with the European Green Deal and revised Renewable Energy Directive. Speakers reflected on policy, regulatory, and market implications, including permitting acceleration, heat planning, and the role of geothermal in strengthening Europe’s energy independence.

The session is of particular interest to policymakers, regulators, researchers, energy system planners, and stakeholders involved in heat decarbonisation and renewable energy deployment.

Programme

Introduction:

• Andris Piebalgs, FSR

Presentations:

Geothermal energy in the EU policy framework

• Marianna Jakab, European Commission

GeoMap Europe: data, methodology and policy relevance

• Drew Nelson, Project InnerSpace

Panel discussion: Regulatory and planning implications

Session focus: Data availability and permitting acceleration, Geothermal and national heat planning, Investment risk, public policy, and system integration

• Annamária Nádar, Chair of EU Geo-energy Expert Group
• David Bruhn, Fraunhofer IEG
• Sanjeev Kumar, European Geothermal Energy Council

During the 16th Florence Intermodal Forum, co-organised by the Transport Area of the Florence School of Regulation together with the EC’s DG MOVE, experts explored the best practices, identify persistent bottlenecks, and discuss the governance frameworks needed to establish efficient multimodal hubs.

European cities face urgent challenges in decarbonization, congestion, road safety, and managing growing passenger and tourist traffic. Stakeholders must now rethink how people move across and within cities. Over the last few years, Europe has accelerated the rollout of new High-Speed Rail (HSR) corridors, thanks to the 2024 amendment to the TEN-T regulation. However, the challenge is not restricted to building faster lines, but it extends to ensuring that urban multimodal hubs become seamless gateways between long-distance rail and urban mobility. For these reasons, the integration of urban multimodal hubs with the ever-expanding HSR network is pivotal to support the EU’s transport policy agenda.

The recently published High-Speed Rail Action Plan aims to reduce journey times, eliminate cross-border bottlenecks, harmonise standards, and enhance cross-border ticketing systems to promote competition and interoperability in the HSR market. However, there is a need to integrate HSR with urban mobility planning, as urban space constraints, fragmented planning processes, and technical interoperability issues limit the efficiency of all services. Effective urban planning is crucial as it integrates land use, mobility, and accessibility into a cohesive strategy. It ensures that transport infrastructure supports sustainable growth, reduces congestion, and enhances connectivity between neighbourhoods and economic hubs. In the context of HSR, urban planning determines how stations are embedded within cities, influencing patterns of development. Service connectivity and the evolving needs of passengers who are now increasingly using HSR services instead of short-haul flights. This requires reliable and properly integrated last-mile services. However, governance is the critical enabler for seamless mobility as it coordinates the interests and responsibilities of HSR infrastructure managers, train operators, and urban public transport authorities.

Therefore, the 16th Florence Intermodal Forum explored the best practices, identify persistent bottlenecks, and discuss the governance frameworks needed to establish efficient multimodal hubs. The Forum, co-organised by the Transport Area of the Florence School of Regulation together with the EC’s DG MOVE, tackled the following questions:

• Integrating High-Speed Rail with Urban Multimodal Hubs: What are the main challenges (e.g., urban space constraints, disparities between urban and rail planning, etc)? What are best practices? What are the key elements of the ideal hub to ensure a seamless flow of travellers?
• Services connectivity: The door-to-door travel offer using EU high-speed rail as the backbone should serve all passenger segments from business to sustainable tourism. What are their needs in terms of last-mile mobility service in cities? What type of investments are necessary?
• Governance – Integration of High-Speed Rail stakeholders with urban mobility stakeholders in order to provide a seamless experience to travellers: Which instruments are currently available or should be developed in order to better coordinate high-speed rail and urban mobility connectivity? Is there a role for multimodal (railway) hub managers? Is there a role for SUMPs to play? What roles for Urban Public Transport Authorities/operators, high-speed rail infrastructure managers and services providers, TEN-T coordinators, others?

Kindly note that the event is by invitation only.

This webinar examined how the European Affordable Housing Plan addresses Europe’s housing crisis as a strategic challenge for competitiveness and social cohesion.

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Europe’s housing crisis is no longer only a social challenge; it has become a critical competitiveness issue. Soaring house prices, rising rents, and a persistent shortage of affordable homes are constraining labour mobility, deepening inequalities, and placing increasing pressure on Europe’s economic growth model.

This webinar explores the European Affordable Housing Plan, the EU’s first comprehensive framework designed to address the structural causes of the housing crisis. The discussion will examine how the Plan seeks to increase housing supply, mobilise public and private investment, simplify regulatory frameworks, and strengthen support for cities, regions, and Member States; while reinforcing social cohesion and Europe’s long-term economic resilience.

The webinar will also connect the priorities of the Plan with the cities of tomorrow, highlighting how affordable housing policy intersects with the reimagining of urban infrastructure, sustainability, and inclusive growth.

Participants will gain practical insights into the Plan’s four pillars, boosting housing supply, mobilising investment, enabling reforms, and supporting the most affected groups, alongside an overview of recent changes to EU funding instruments and State aid rules. The discussion will focus on what these measures mean in practice for policymakers, housing providers, cities, and investors across Europe.

The European Affordable Housing Plan was adopted by the European Commission in December last year. Its preparation was led by the Task Force on Housing within the Commission, under the leadership of Matthew Baldwin, Deputy Director-General at DG Energy. He will deliver the keynote address at the webinar, offering first-hand insights into the Plan’s objectives and implementation.

Programme

Discussants:

• Matthew Baldwin (DG Energy, European Commission)
• Mārtiņš Staķis (European Parliament, former Mayor of Riga)

Panel discussion: Housing Plan and Cities of tomorrow

• Gwen Colin (Vauban Infrastructure Partners)
• Thomas Bourleaud (Altermind)

Moderator:

• Max Münchmeyer (Florence School of Regualtion, EUI)

Join this workshop where experts discuss the Commission’s proposals with regards to enhancing European energy infrastructure planning, speeding up European energy infrastructure projects implementation and the European Energy Highways.

Energy networks play an essential role in promoting competition, decarbonisation of energy demand, and security of supply. While the current regulatory framework has successfully supported market integration across the EU, energy networks must now rapidly adapt to a more decentralised, digitalised, and flexible energy system in a fast‑evolving geopolitical context.

On 10 December 2025, the European Commission proposed a European Grids Package and an Energy Highways Initiative to enable energy to flow more efficiently across Member States, integrate cheaper clean energy, accelerate electrification, lower energy prices, and support energy security as Europe moves away from Russian energy imports. The proposals aim to bring a truly European perspective to infrastructure planning, accelerate permitting procedures, and ensure a fairer allocation of costs for cross‑border projects.

The European Grids Package introduces a more centralised approach to infrastructure planning, strengthens EU‑wide cross‑border planning, improves coordination between transmission and distribution grids, incentivises smart and digital grid solutions, and embeds the “energy efficiency first” principle. It comprises two legislative proposals (amending the TEN‑E framework and accelerating permit‑granting procedures) and two guidance notes on grid connections and contracts for difference.

To accelerate implementation, the Package proposes simplified EU‑level permitting frameworks, enhanced support for PCI/PMI projects, improved cost‑benefit transparency, strengthened infrastructure security and resilience (including cyber security), and expanded financing options, including use of congestion income and eligibility for CEF funding.

In parallel, the Energy Highways Initiative identifies eight priority Energy Highways addressing urgent infrastructure bottlenecks, many of which already hold PCI or PMI status under the second Union list published on 1 December 2025. The Commission has committed to fast‑tracking these projects through enhanced political coordination, support to Member States, and strengthened cross‑border permitting cooperation.

Against this background, the Workshop will provide an opportunity to discuss the proposals contained in the European Grids Package and the Energy Highways Initiative.

Kindly note that this event is by invitation only. Reserved to FSR donors.

This webinar explored how lessons from past and forthcoming policy evaluations can enhance the effectiveness, coherence, and impact of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

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The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) remains the cornerstone of the EU’s strategy for sustainable agriculture and rural development. Under the new programming framework (2023–2027), Member States are implementing their CAP Strategic Plans through a performance-based model that aligns national actions with the EU’s economic, social, and environmental objectives. The updated CAP performance evaluation framework places greater emphasis on quantitative, impact-oriented assessments. Member States will now carry out interim evaluations within three years of implementation and final evaluations within two years after the programming period. Although ex-ante evaluations have been discontinued, countries are still required to demonstrate how their interventions address identified needs.

This event brings together experts to discuss the practical, analytical, and policy dimensions of evaluating the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). It will offer a platform to explore how lessons from past policy cycles can inform the implementation of the new CAP for 2023–2027, particularly regarding Member States’ performance in delivering their CAP Strategic Plans. The webinar will address progress toward economic, social, and environmental objectives, as well as early evidence emerging from annual performance reports. Participants will also reflect on the implications of past performance reviews for enhancing policy coherence, delivery, and overall effectiveness. The event will open with a keynote address from the European Commission’s DG AGRI, Unit on Policy Performance, followed by a debate among experts from academia, research institutions, business associations, and national regulators. It will be an online event featuring presentations and an interactive Q&A session. The webinar is aimed at scholars, professionals, and policymakers working in the fields of agriculture, rural development, sustainability, and EU policy evaluation, with a strong interest in evidence-based policymaking and the future of the CAP.

Programme

• Moderator: Rose O’Donovan (AGRA FACTS)
• Intro Speech: Fabio Santeramo (EUI)

Speakers:

• Sophie Helaine (DG AGRI)
• Giampiero Genovese (JRC)
• Sophie Thoyer (INRAE)
• Bérénice Dupeux (Ecorys)
• Blanca Casares Guillén (AEIDL)

Q&A session:

• Emil Erjavec (University of Ljubljana)
• Aneta Suchon (University of Adam Mickiewicz)

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As carbon pricing grows in importance for EU climate policy, attention is turning to the data that underpins analysis and evaluation of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). While substantial datasets exist, challenges remain in ensuring transparency, compatibility, and accessibility across sources. These limitations hinder both rigorous research and broader stakeholder understanding of the system’s functioning and efficiency.

This online debate will explore the current state of EU ETS data availability and the progress made in merging and enhancing datasets related to carbon pricing in Europe. The discussion will highlight advances in data integration, interpretation, and visualisation. By bringing together researchers and practitioners, the session aims to identify remaining gaps, improve usability, and support informed evaluation of carbon pricing as a policy tool.

Programme

Introduction, context & insights

• Simone Borghesi (Florence School of Regulation, EUI)
• Marie Raude (Florence School of Regulation, EUI)

Panel discussion:

• Jan Abrell (University of Basel)
• Aliènor Cameron (OECD, EUI)
• Liza Leimane (EEA)
• Meili Vanegas Hernadez (Sandbag)

Q&A with the audience and wrap-up

Join this two-day academic conference, which will follow the high-level policy conference on the assessment and acceptability of net-zero climate policies.

The Climate Area of the FSR is pleased to announce its 11th Annual Conference on the Economic Assessment of European Climate Policies to take place at the European University Institute in Florence on Tuesday, 2 and Wednesday, 3 December 2025. The two-day academic conference will follow a high-level policy conference on the assessment and acceptability of net-zero climate policies on Monday, 1 December 2025.

The programme of the academic conference will cover some of the main climate policies at the EU and national and subnational levels. It will include a keynote speech, plenary speeches, as well as academic sessions focusing on carbon pricing and energy transition. To honour the memory of David W. Pearce on the 20th anniversary of his passing, a dedicated roundtable discussion on his legacy will be organised in collaboration with EAERE.

Simone Borghesi, Director of the FSR Climate, Professor and Deputy Rector for International Relationships at the University of Siena and President of the European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (EAERE), will chair the conference.

FEES

• Student (presenting a paper): 280 EUR
• Speaker (presenting a paper): 430 EUR
• Participant (not presenting): 520 EUR

The fee includes two lunches, a cocktail dinner in the city centre of Florence, and four coffee breaks. Registration and logistics details will be available closer to the date on this page. Participants in the academic conference are warmly invited to attend the high-level conference on the assessment and acceptability of net-zero climate policies in Europe and beyond for free, scheduled on Monday, 1 December.

This event is organised with the support of EAERE.

At the EUI and the Robert Schuman Centre, we are dedicated to removing barriers and providing equal opportunities for everyone. Please indicate in the registration form your accessibility needs, if any. Alternatively, you can contact the logistics organiser of the event. 

Join the dialogue on future directions for climate policy in Europe.

On 1 December 2025, the EUI will host a hybrid conference on evidence-based climate policy, marking the conclusion of two major European research projects: LIFE COASE and CAPABLE. Following the event, the 11th Annual Conference on the Economic Assessment of European Climate Policies will take place from 2-3 December, allowing interested participants to join 3 days of dense discussion on the current state of climate policy.

LIFE COASE, co-funded by the EU LIFE Programme, has established an observatory dedicated to the assessment of the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), providing a reference point for research and policy development in this area. CAPABLE, funded under the Horizon Europe programme, has examined the economic, social, and political dimensions of climate policy design, with a focus on improving policy acceptability and feasibility.

The conference will present key findings from both projects, covering topics such as the effectiveness and global impact of the EU ETS, the distributional effects of carbon pricing, and the conditions under which climate policies can gain broader societal acceptance. The event will bring together researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to reflect on the outcomes of three years of work and to foster dialogue on future directions for climate policy in Europe.

At the EUI and the Robert Schuman Centre, we are dedicated to removing barriers and providing equal opportunities for everyone. Please indicate in the registration form your accessibility needs, if any. Alternatively, you can contact the logistics organiser of the event. 

Join the Autumn Policy Dialogues in November where FSR donors and renowned experts from across the sector will convene on the most pressing policy and regulatory challenges facing the energy sector today.

Competitiveness of European industry is becoming an increasing concern, inter alia in the face of energy prices which are higher than in other parts of the world. High energy prices also impact commercial and residential energy consumers. in his report last year, prof. Mario Draghi indicated that EU companies still face electricity prices that are 2-3 times those in the US and natural gas prices paid are 4-5 times higher . Energy poverty among EU households is also on the rise. The Commission is proposing new policies, also on the basis of the Prof. Draghi’s recommendations. This Workshop will discuss the recent Commission’s recommendations in three areas: acceleration of the deployment of new types of renewable energy, the speeding up of the procedures for the rollout of grids and storage, and on electricity network charges.

Join this online workshop to learn more on how climate policies can be designed to be socially and economically acceptable.

Achieving climate neutrality requires ambitious and effective climate targets and the ability to implement widely accepted policies. Many existing assessments focus narrowly on effectiveness, overlooking critical dimensions like feasibility and public perception. Furthermore, the success of the EU in reaching its net-zero goals depends not only on global and European policy action but also on the capacity of local and regional authorities to implement these policies. Cities and regions are at the forefront of the climate battle, yet they often face challenges in acting.

In this context, the Horizon Europe project CAPABLE aims to provide recommendations for designing socially and economically acceptable climate policy measures for 2030 and beyond. CAPABLE also provides insights on how local policy actors perceive their contribution to major EU strategies such as the European Green Deal.

Hosted online by the European University Institute (EUI) with expert contributions from the CAPABLE consortium, this capacity-building workshop will explore how EU climate policies work, how they intersect with local realities and how cities and regions can shape and support a just and effective transition. The workshop is tailored for local and regional policymakers, civil servants, and stakeholders engaged in climate and energy governance.

Target audience:

Local and regional policy-makers, civil servants, and stakeholders already familiar with energy and climate policies.

Learning outcomes:

Assess the main EU climate policies and their local implications

Grasp the potential and limits of different policy assessment methods

Understand determinants and factors that influence the acceptability of climate policies, and propose policy design features to make policies acceptable

Understand how local actors perceive their roles and EU policies on climate policies.

Draft programme:

14:00 – 14:10 | Welcome & Introduction

14:10 – 15:40 | Module 1: EU Climate Policies and Implications for Local Authorities

Policy Assessment: What Works? (Kai Lessmann and Jan Minx, PIK and Marie Raude, EUI)

The roles of cities in addressing climate change (Yann Françoise, City of Paris)

15:40 – 15:55 | Coffee Break

15:55 – 17:20 | Module 2: Perception and acceptability of Climate Policies

Social Acceptability and Feasibility of Fit-For-55 Policies (Keith Smith, ETH Zurich)

Local Policymakers’ Perceptions (Pablo Núñez Yebra, UAB and Alessia Casamassima, EUI)

17:20 – 17:45 | The role of Local Authorities in the European Green Deal and Competitiveness Compass

Eugenia Mansutti, Eurocities

17:45 – 17:50 | Conclusions

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101056891.

At the EUI and the Robert Schuman Centre, we are dedicated to removing barriers and providing equal opportunities for everyone. Please indicate in the registration form your accessibility needs, if any. Alternatively, you can contact the logistics organiser of the event. 

This workshop will examine whether Italian economic regulation of water and urban waste services is making a tangible contribution to the financeability of the sector.

Economic regulation of water services was introduced in Italy in 2012. The regulator took charge of an industry that had been underinvesting for decades, which led to service levels among the lowest in Europe. ARERA took its first decisions and was subjected to legal challenge immediately by various stakeholders. Entering the fourth regulatory period, the water economic regulation appears to have overcome those challenges, promoted efficiency and increased investments as well as service quality levels. In 2018 urban waste management was subjected to economic regulation. ARERA had the task to draw the boundaries between areas where operators had clearly market power-requiring ex ante intervention-and areas where market dynamics could deliver economically efficient outcomes. Arera put in place a regulatory framework that was also challenged.

At the beginning of the third regulatory period the consolidation of the regulatory framework is underway also for waste. The regulator, utilities, credit agencies, banks, academics and practitioners are coming together to reflect upon the impact of ARERA’s regulation on water and urban waste management services and explore how it can help for a future of evolving operational and market challenges.

The event is by invitation only.

At the EUI and the Robert Schuman Centre, we are dedicated to removing barriers and providing equal opportunities for everyone. Please indicate in the registration form your accessibility needs, if any. Alternatively, you can contact the logistics organiser of the event.