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Spain wants the EU to create a European climate adaptation fund. And to finance it, the Spanish government is suggesting taxing oil and gas companies — in other words, applying the “polluter pays” principle.Is this realistic?

New return hubs could soon be established outside the European Union. At least, that is the ambition of several European countries, which want to speed up the return of migrants who have been denied the right to stay in the EU.When and where should we expect those return hubs?

Mercosur, CETA, TTIP, the EU’s trade policy can sometimes feel very far away from the people who are actually affected by its decisions. In EU jargon, trade policy is an exclusive EU competence. This means that the European Union negotiates and concludes trade agreements with partner countries. Then, the rules apply across the whole of the EU.But as we know, European regions are highly diverse, and they are equally divided over the benefits of free trade agreements.How can we take into account the different regional interests in this area?A podcast by Europod, in cooperation with ESPON, an EU-funded programme that bridges research with policiesTo read more about the ESPON report on the impact of trade agreements on regions: https://www.espon.eu/publications/starter-free-trade-agreements-mercosurFollow us on:LinkedIn•. Instagram

In the United States, a group of 29 states has achieved what Congress has so far failed to do: secure real commitments from Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to limit the addictive nature of these platforms for young people.Could the EU hope to achieve something similar?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedIn • Instagram

At this stage, there is no evidence to suggest that Russia is preparing to attack a European country in the coming years. This assessment, shared by European intelligence services, is not unanimously accepted across Europe.So what should Europeans really fear from Russia?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram

Thirty billion euros. That’s how much the EU wants to mobilise to build data centres. But this ambition might run up against an obstacle. In recent years, protests against data centres have been emerging across the European Union.Can local residents influence the AI race? And can Europe make progress on this issue without the support of local communities?By Europod in co-production with the Sphera Network.This episode is based on an article written by Alberto Mesas for El Salto and an article written by Tommaso Proverbio for VD News and is co-written with Hélène Pillon from Médianes.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram

In this episode of Europe Talks Back, we look at the share of renewable energy production in the EU and how it could be expanded, with insights from Flore Belin, Energy Policy Coordinator at Climate Action Network Europe.Production by Europod, in cooperation with ESPON, an EU-funded programme that bridges research and policy.This podcast series is cofunded by ESPON. However, the opinions and views expressed are solely those of the authors. ESPON can't be held responsible for them.Follow us on:LinkedIn • Instagram

On Saturday 29th August,, Icelanders will go to the polls to answer this question: Should Iceland restart the EU accession process?The country could match the EU criteria quite quickly, but is it willing to do so? And what would this mean for Europeans and Icelanders?Production: By Europod, in co-production with the Sphera network.Follow us on:LinkedInInstagram