EU Press Releases

For all press enquiries please contact Helene Champagne, Director, DeHavilland EU, tel: +32 (0) 2791 7615 or email: helene.champagne@dehavillandeurope.eu

DeHavilland EU launches its debut Predictive Trends 2012 Survey

15 February 2012

DeHavilland EU Director Helene Champagne explains: “As part of our ongoing development, we have launched our first Predictive Trends survey which is designed to find out what the Public Affairs community in Brussels thinks will be the key trends in 2012.”

She goes on to say, “These are interesting times as the EU faces major challenges such as saving the Euro, regaining competitiveness in a global market and fighting youth unemployment. Furthermore, there will be some interesting initiatives in 2012 including the establishment of a European Voluntary Humanitarian Aid Corps (EVHAC), the creation of a new EU single market surveillance framework, and  a legislative proposal on e-Justice. The EU has never been more active. The results of our survey will be published in early Spring and the findings are sure to make a fascinating read.”

To express your opinion, visit: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22ENR52UCBC. All participants of the survey will receive a complimentary Executive Summary of the findings. 


DeHavilland EU is a specialist provider of EU political intelligence and monitoring services.  For all press enquiries please contact Helene Champagne, Director, DeHavilland EU, tel: +32 (0) 2791 7615 or email: helene.champagne@dehavillandeurope.eu 

A new Fiscal Treaty – and now what? The Danish Economic Affairs Minister urges countries to 'take their promises home'?

2 February 2012

In an exclusive interview with DeHavilland EU, Margrethe Vestager, Denmark’s Economic & Interior Minister spoke about the new EU fiscal pact and Denmark’s expectations in regard to its 6-month presidency during a time of economic insecurity.

With regards to their expectations Minister Vestager made it very clear: “Whatever is promised in the Treaty, these promises must be taken home and addressed on a national level.”

It is only if “the many important decisions taken by the EU and the eurozone countries to solve the immediate crisis and to strengthen the economic governance framework are fully implemented and that all countries take decisive steps to reduce excessive deficits and comply with EU recommendations  that the Treaty can have a real impact”, told Minister Vestager to DeHavilland EU. 

She went on to explain, “This means both fiscal discipline and previously agreed policies must be fully implemented in a convincing and credible manner across the board. New governance initiatives that strengthen economic and fiscal policy are an encouraging sign that the eurozone nations are taking decisive steps to address the debt crisis but these measures must lead to stronger credibility and sustainability of national economic policies if we are to fully combat the biggest economic crisis since the Great Depression.”

With regards to what effects the fiscal pact will have on the current crisis, she said that, “the obligations that are agreed upon in Brussels must be implemented at a national level within parliaments and assemblies.  This is where the difference lies and it’ll determine how successful (the pact) will be”.

On the controversial issue of fining countries, Minister Vestager stressed that it was “part of this togetherness, the unity of agreement”.  She added, “We are in favour of the alternative idea that the fines should go into the overall budget – not into the permanent bail-out fund “.  

The full interview with Margrethe Vestager, Economic & Interior Minister, Denmark can be downloaded from: http://www1.dehavillandeurope.eu/exclusive-interviews    

DeHavilland EU is a specialist provider of EU political intelligence and monitoring services.  For all press enquiries please contact Helene Champagne, Director, DeHavilland EU, tel: +32 (0) 2791 7615 or email: helene.champagne@dehavillandeurope.eu 

ENVI Chris Davies MEP spells doubt over possibility of global deal in Durban

6 December 2011

At the United Nations’ climate change conference in Durban, South Africa, EU representatives called for an ambitious, comprehensive and legally binding global framework for climate action by all major economies, but were met with opposition from China who described the EU's demands as ‘too strict’.

In an exclusive interview with DeHavilland EU, Chris Davies MEP, the European Parliament's rapporteur on the Commission's Energy Roadmap 2050, told Helene Champagne, Director that as a result of this, “No binding international agreements will be reached in Durban.”

He went onto explain, “The Chinese regime doesn’t want to do anything that will curb the country’s economic growth but they know that climate change is as big a problem for them as it is for everyone else.  China invests half its GDP in low carbon technologies and developments. In response, we should raise our ambitions and make firm commitments to improve energy efficiency. If we don't improve our 2020 target from a 20% cut in greenhouse gas emissions to 30%, the Commission is condemning the EU to failure and allowing Asian countries to steal a march on us.”

A number of initiatives designed by the EU to reduce its own emissions have drawn criticism of late with fears that the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and carbon capture and storage (CCS) are failing.

Davies MEP called for the EU Parliament to vote for the withdrawing of the CO2 permit supply within ETS in an attempt to prop up carbon prices which have plummeted in recent years. The Parliament will hold a number of ballots over the next five months. The votes could determine the future of ETS.

“Too many European Union Allowances (EUAs) permits have been handed out so the ‘cap’ has not capped anything and the price has collapsed,” he said. “The huge surplus of allowances now held by companies, together with anticipated further improvements in energy efficiency, means that there will be no significant recovery in carbon prices unless reforms are made.”

The full interview with Chris Davies, MEP can be downloaded from: http://www1.dehavillandeurope.eu/exclusive-interviews

DeHavilland EU is a specialist provider of political intelligence and parliamentary monitoring services.  For all press enquiries please contact Helene Champagne, Director, DeHavilland EU, tel: +32 (0) 2791 7615 or email: helene.champagne@dehavillandeurope.eu

DeHavilland EU announces Energy Open Content Week

Friday, 18 November 2011

DeHavilland EU, the leading provider of political intelligence and monitoring services, has launched its energy open content week.  This initiative provides government relations professionals working in this sector with complimentary access to a range of specialist services. 

Helene Champagne, DeHavilland EU Director explains: “The current fears of the recession and the debt crisis should not distract us from the biggest challenge that Europe is facing – the transition towards a low carbon economy. Most organisations will be affected by the energy revolution that is steered by the European Commission. Forward planning of regulatory risks & opportunities has never been so important for organisations in times of budget constraints. ”

“In order to stimulate the EU debate ahead of the release of the Europe 2050 Roadmap, we will be showcasing our services for free, from 28 November – 2 December 2011. This is a great opportunity for Public Affairs professionals with interests in the energy sector to gain access to our political monitoring and legislation tracking services as well as our political research support and contact management database.”

To find out more about DeHavilland EU’s Energy Open Content Week visit: http://www1.dehavillandeurope.eu/energy

DeHavilland EU launches its Animal Welfare Open Content Week

Monday, 26 September 2011

DeHavilland EU, the leading provider of political intelligence and monitoring services, has launched its animal welfare open content week.  This is a unique initiative which is designed to provide public affairs professionals working in this sector with complimentary access to a range of specialist services for one week only.  

Helene Champagne, DeHavilland EU Director explains, “Animal welfare has become an increasing important subject in the EU.  A recent DG SANCO survey showed that 64% of consumers in Europe are concerned about it. In response, the European Commission is preparing a new comprehensive new Strategy for Animal Welfare 2011-2014 expected for December.”

She goes on to say, “In order to stimulate the EU debate, we will be showcasing our services for free, from 10th-14th October 2011.  This is a great opportunity for Public Affairs professionals to gain access to our political monitoring and legislation tracking services as well as our political research support and contact management database, PeoplePoint.” A drop-in info session with refreshments will be held at our offices on Friday 14 October 2011 during lunch time.

To find out more about DeHavilland EU’s Animal Welfare Open Content week, visit: http://www1.dehavillandeurope.eu/animal-welfare

Amendment made to Energy Bill after third reading in Parliament

Thursday, 15 September 2011

In Parliament yesterday (14 September 2011) a number of amendments were made to the Energy Bill as it was debated in its third reading.  Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne said that the centrepiece of the Bill was the Green Deal. 

Government technical amendments were made to ensure that when collecting payments, energy companies were acting in an agent and trustee capacity for the green deal provider.

Meanwhile amendment 30 related to the role of professionals and the importance of protecting customers, while allowing the green deal to thrive.

New Clauses were agreed regarding apprenticeships, nuclear decommissioning, transmission charging and consultation.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Gregory Barker said, “The green deal is an opportunity not only for homes and households, but for businesses and communities. There will be more detail in the consultation document, which we intend to publish next month, about how the green deal will be tailored for non-domestic—invariably business—customers. The UK’s building stock is a key sector of our annual carbon reporting, so the green deal’s contribution to both domestic and non-domestic buildings will be covered.”

Understanding the depth of potential created by the Green Deal is fundamental for the construction industry and its supply change so they are able to take advantage of the commercial opportunities. 

Greg Barker from the Department of Energy and Climate Change has said; “The Green Deal will be the biggest home improvement programme since the Second World War, shifting our outdated draughty homes from the past into the future, so it’s vital people can trust it.” (www.decc.gov.uk).

Energy and retail companies are already making ground, as H&V News explored in August (http://www.hvnplus.co.uk/news/green-deal-warning/8618928.article).  The Chartered Institute of Marketing Construction Industry Group found that only 35% of product manufacturers believe the Green Deal will be an important opportunity and that only 31% currently have suitable products available.  British Gas, among other companies, is already planning on strategies to embrace the Green Deal (http://www.britishgas.co.uk/greendeal.html).  They are already working with Sainsbury’s offering energy efficient products (http://www.sainsburysenergy.com/).

DeHavilland in partnership with Glenigan, is holding an event The Green Deal: Clarifying the Commercial and Economic Opportunities, in London on the 23-24 November.  This 2-day conference will look at the Green Deal Policy as it progresses to into law, examine how it will work in practice and outline the implications for all links in the UK construction industry and its supply chain.

The Green Deal Conference will explore the opportunities and pitfalls of the Bill and also give the construction industry a chance to listen to ministers and directly feedback through Q&A sessions.  Sessions will also include case studies and information on the Green Deal with regards to social housing, private housing and non-residential buildings, discussion panels covering policy and barriers to sale and insight into how the financials will work. 

Eddie Tuttle, Public Affairs and Policy Manager at the CIOB says; “The CIOB acknowledges that Construction and the Built Environment will be key to the success of the Government’s Green Deal.  This event is timely in bringing together a number of the players and issues so that there is a dissemination and engagement in this crucial policy arena”.

For more information on this conference or to download the agenda go to http://www.emapconferences.co.uk/thegreendeal/ or contact jenny.vyas@emap.com, or call 0845 056 8339.

DeHavilland announces the launch of its Local Councillor Database

Monday, 8 August 2011

Political intelligence and parliamentary monitoring provider DeHavilland has announced the launch of its Local Councillor Database.  The database contains the contact details of 3,500+ local councillors with decision-making powers in the UK. It includes the decision-making contact’s full name, job title, council address as well as portfolio areas, portfolio responsibilities, tel, email address, etc.

The database has been created in response to the changing political landscape. Brian Nolk, Managing Director explains: “As the Mayor of London takes on more responsibilities and the Localism Bill receives its second reading, this year sees the beginnings of a cultural shift in power from central government back into the hands of individuals, communities and councils.  The Local Councillor Database has been created so that public affairs professionals can gain access to the contact details of key decision-makers so they can continue to influence policy and inform their strategy for their clients or their organisation, at a local level.”

He goes on to say, “The evolution of the new DeHavilland is well underway with the launch of the database, as well as our forthcoming London Service both of which will be ready for party conference season.”

DeHavilland launches new London service for Party Conference Season 2011

Thursday, 21 July 2011

Political intelligence firm DeHavilland has announced the launch of its new online service; DeHavilland London, scheduled to be available this autumn in time for Party Conference Season. The service will significantly increase DeHavilland’s portfolio of features, and is a precursor of other new product developments coming through later this year and into 2012.

London will be the focus of political attention in 2012 with the Mayoral elections and the Olympics whilst the Localism Bill is expected to hand the newly elected Mayor and the London Boroughs more powers over housing, economic development, regeneration and the Olympic legacy. The London Assembly for its part will see its ability to scrutinise policy grow.

Accordingly, DeHavilland London will provide comprehensive monitoring of:

  • London Assembly, including Mayor’s Question time, plenary meetings, committee sessions and reports, and Assembly press releases and publications
  • Greater London Authority and the Mayor’s Office including operations notices, press releases and publications so you can keep up-to-date with the latest developments to inform your or your client's strategy
  • A weekly London-specific forthcoming events planner, containing the business of the London Assembly, Mayoral engagements, London government report publication dates and relevant stakeholder events so you can plan ahead.

“The evolution of the new DeHavilland service is under way this year,” said Managing Director Brian Nolk. “Beginning with the development of our UK Local Councillor Database and the London service, we are planning a series of product improvements which will be rolled out through the second half of 2011 and into 2012.”
 
Roger Wilmott, the newly appointed Chief Technology Officer of Emap Insight added, “Fresh investment in the DeHavilland platform, product and service will see a significant overhaul of the product’s breadth, depth and functionality. We will be harnessing the considerable resources and experience of Emap’s technology team to delivering improvements to the service on a rolling basis over the next 12 months.”