Conference Agenda

The proposed paper delves into the evolving landscape of air transport policies within the European Union. It traces the impact since the so-called liberalisation of the 1980s and 1990s transforming aviation into a cornerstone of European mobility and a vital global link. The resulting drop in fares has led to increased business travel and a surge in leisure travel and VFR (visiting friends and relatives). The most tangible mark of these processes was the rise of regional LCCs (low-cost carriers). Beyond its economic importance as an oil on the wheel of global trade, aviation has also had a substantial social impact by fostering cultural exchange and strengthening community cohesion. However, amidst three decades of growth, environmental concerns associated with aviation have gained prominence. European decision-makers are taking the lead in acknowledging and addressing these challenges, with a focus on market measures such as carbon pricing and the first tentative steps towards a kerosene tax (ex. post-Brexit agreement). Globally, the CORSIA offset programme is also being rolled out. Against this background, this paper critically assesses the role of air transport in the lives of Europeans today and in the foreseeable future. Navigates through existing knowledge of implemented measures and explores the potential consequences of further policy actions on fares and mobility. The discussion encompasses voluntary measures, the prospect of passing on costs to passengers, and the potential reduction in passenger traffic within specific market segments. The paper contributes to the literature on the future structure of the industry and, more broadly, sustainable mobility. By probing the intersection of environmental concerns, policy actions, and social implications, the research aims to stimulate discussions on balancing the socioeconomic benefits of air transport and the pressing need for ecological responsibility within the EU.

The EU's reliance on China for critical raw materials, particularly rare earths (REs), is a significant challenge for its clean tech industry and Green Transition. REs are vital for technologies like electric vehicle (EV) engines, wind turbines, and EV batteries. However, the EU has minimal domestic RE production and low recycling rates, which must change for the EU to lead the Green Transition and remain economically competitive.

The EU already has at its disposal most of the regulatory instruments needed to obtain REs through green tech motor component circularity. Firstly, the Critical Raw Materials Act sets out mid-term objectives (by 2030), focusing on resource diversification and circularity. Moreover, it allows for implementing acts to enhance the application of its provisions (art. 25(7) CRMA), enabling further clarification and improving overall enforcement. Secondly, the proposed End-of-Life-Vehicles Regulation (ELVR) would serve as a catalyst, compelling Member States to take action to transfer End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) to appropriate facilities (art. 5(2) ELVR) and promoting circularity for certain critical materials (art. 10(1)(a) ELVR). These efforts are complemented by the recent Battery Regulation (2023) and the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (2012).

Our first set of recommendations seeks to complement this developing framework in pursuit of mid-term circularity goals to reduce EU dependency on China. We identify key bottlenecks in the recycling of REs contained in EV batteries and EV/wind turbine engines - namely inefficient collection of the components, the high RE extraction cost, and the limited amount of recyclable material available - and call for accelerated policy action following the framework of art 25(7) CRMA for safe and green recycling of the REs they contain. Additionally, we tackle the need to increase incentives for investment in RE recycling. To this end, we advise companies in RE-heavy industries to create EU-level consortia for recycling, thus fostering the creation of a strong industrial base by the time the new regulatory framework is fully implemented.

Our second set of recommendations focuses on short-term issues to be addressed before effectively implementing the new framework and account for short-term RE supply chain shocks. We first raise the issue of diverging interests among Member State automobile manufacturers, with some having already expressed their willingness to set up a strong recycling industry while others remain hesitant to further detach from China. Then, we call for short-term RE supply collaboration with like-minded international partners beyond the current memorandum of understanding system.

Energy transition refers to the shift from fossil-based systems of energy production and consumption (specifically oil, natural gas and coal) – to renewable resources such as wind, solar and water power. Electrification of energy systems forms an increasingly important driver of the energy transition from the renewable resources generation. For many however nuclear electricity is portrayed as complementary to renewable resources in a sustainable energy transition. Increasing concerns amongst governments and population about the impact of climate change, rising energy insecurity as a result of recent conflicts, and growing economic challenges in European countries have increased support for the inclusion of nuclear generated electricity in energy strategies.

This paper argues that nuclear is not sustainable in the long term but in the face of current challenges and realities the role of nuclear energy in a sustainable energy strategy must be reconsidered. Public support is one of the most important factors influencing future energy choices as strategies in climate change mitigation are developed. Successful nuclear developments require the engagement of the stakeholders with guarantees of safety and open and transparent dialogue being core conditions. Further, institutionalizing mechanisms and procedures of social accountability are important elements of ensuring the success and sustainability of measures. EU Nuclear energy integration is framed within the competences of the substantively unaltered 1957 Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and its limited focus. Reform of the Euratom Treaty is an important initial step in facilitating the opportunities for the time, trust-building and adaptability to ensure the engagement of the stakeholders may be achieved in the European Union. Analysis in this paper concentrates on why reform of the Euratom Treaty continues to be ignored by the national governments, including in the outcomes of the Conference on the Future of Europe, 2022.