News

Net zero by 2040 – come wind or shine

As a company committed to addressing the climate crisis, Amazon is on a path to powering its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025 – five years earlier than its original 2030 goal. This is part of The Climate Pledge, which Amazon co-founded with the objective of achieving net-zero carbon within its operations before 2040. To help achieve this goal, Amazon started to roll out the first of its utility-scale projects to deliver clean energy to grids across Europe in 2019.

Learn more at The Green Way and join the conversation on Twitter with #EUGreenWay. 

The Green Way: innovating for Europe’s sustainable future

Transitioning to a greener economy will be the challenge of our time. The European Union has an ambition to lead the green transition and American companies invested in Europe are committed to fulfilling that ambition. From decarbonising the energy sector to building sustainable food systems; from innovating sustainable mobility solutions to making the economy circular: American companies in Europe are innovating today to achieve a more sustainable tomorrow. Check out the steps our companies are taking towards Europe’s greener future!

A Smart Flower to generate clean energy in manufacturing facilities

The ’Smart Flower’ at CASE’s Lecce manufacturing plant is an example of how the company is working to meet its sustainability targets to source 80% of its electricity from renewable sources. By moving the solar modular fans horizontally and vertically in response to the sun’s position, the Smart Flower is able to produce electricity from sunrise to sunset. This in turn results in a 40% increase in solar energy output.

Learn more at The Green Way and join the conversation on Twitter with #EUGreenWay. 

Towards a strong European cybersecurity environment

A strong cybersecurity environment poses a key priority for Europe’s economy. As the use of digital solutions grows, the need to ensure that Europe’s networks and information systems are resilient against evolving cyberattacks is paramount. Our suggestions for an improved resilience of the EU’s cybersecurity focus on the scope of the proposal for a revised Directive on Security of Network and Information systems (NIS 2 Directive), the risk-based approach, proportional obligations, legislative overlap and conflicting requirements as well as offering insight on reporting obligations and thresholds. Read our response here.

2020 Annual Report

2020 was a year like no other. What started with optimism around a fresh European Commission mandate, as well as a US election on the horizon, quickly gave way when the first cases of COVID-19 landed on European shores. Despite the challenging circumstances, we worked to continue to provide value for our members by adapting to the unique context. The impacts of the pandemic have only further highlighted the importance for AmCham EU to continue being a strong voice for American companies in Europe. Our 2020 annual report provides a snapshot of how AmCham EU continues to be the best representative for US business committed to and invested in Europe.

AmCham EU shares recommendations to the Slovenian Presidency

With the vaccine roll-out well underway, the EU’s attention is now turning to life after the pandemic. The Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union will take on a critical role in overseeing the substantive rebuild of Europe’s economy around the twin transitions of environmental protection and digitalisation. Our recommendations to the Slovenian Presidency aim to ensure we reach our common objectives of a stronger and more prosperous EU. The document highlights the priorities and recommendations that we believe will make Europe more competitive and an attractive place for investment. AmCham EU looks forward to working closely with Slovenia during its Presidency to ensure we reach our common objectives of strong, green and digital economic recovery.

Cross-border data flows: a necessary part of global trade

The European Commission’s Data Governance Act (DGA) represents an important opportunity to develop a better culture of data sharing in Europe, ultimately contributing to boosting Europe’s data economy as well as driving the type of data collaborations that are necessary to support eh EU’s artificial intelligence and digital transformation objectives. Data is a crucial resource for economic growth, competitiveness, innovation, job creation and societal progress – particularly with the backdrop of the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, it is invaluable for Europe to harness this potential, digitise its industries and compete globally. It is therefore more important than ever to ensure that the power of data can be harnessed and that data can be shared and re-used. Read AmCham EU's position on the DGA here.

EU-US summit: Both sides seized the opportunity to reset the relationship

Following the first EU-US summit since 2014, both sides seized the opportunity of the renewed momentum to announce concrete cooperation in a number of areas, including aircraft subsidies, technology, climate, taxation and vaccines. The outcome of the summit underscores the determination of the EU and the US to shape the global economy’s future direction around the values of democracy, rule of law, open trade and fair competition.

Ready, set, go: here comes President Biden

With President Biden heading to Europe for the highly anticipated EU-US summit, now is the time for both sides of the Atlantic to seize the renewed optimism and positive momentum to advance and deepen the transatlantic relationship. As the voice for American businesses in Europe, AmCham EU has a packed agenda around the summit - follow us on Twitter to stay up to speed on our latest updates, including a thread on how the EU and US can lead the charge on digital.