The Week Ahead 27 February – 05 March 2023

©European Union, 2021, Source: EP – Multimedia Centre©European Union, 2021, Source: EP – Multimedia Centre

Committee meetings, Brussels

Green deal/Fluorinated greenhouse gas. The Environment Committee will adopt its position on draft legislation aiming to further reduce the use of fluorinated greenhouse gas (F-gas). F-gases are human-made chemicals that are very strong greenhouse gases (GHG), often several thousand times stronger than carbon dioxide (CO2). They are used in common appliances such as refrigerators, air-conditioning, heat pumps, fire protection, foams and aerosols (Wednesday).

Protection for EU crafts. The Legal Affairs Committee will vote on a new scheme that ensures the geographical indication (GI) of locally produced crafts is protected. The new bill would safeguard traditional goods such as natural stones, jewellery, textiles, lace, cutlery, glass and porcelain in the EU and internationally (Tuesday).

International Women’s Day/Energy poverty. In the run-up to this year’s International Women’s Daythe Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee is holding a meeting with national parliamentarians and experts from EU countries to discuss the energy crisis and its effects on women (Wednesday).

European Parliamentary Week/Economic, social and budget concerns. MEPs and national MPs will meet in Brussels for their annual conference on social, economic and budgetary issues affecting the EU. The parliamentarians’ discussions will be set against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and high inflation, which will necessitate a change in focus from previous years. EP President Metsola will deliver the opening speech (Monday and Tuesday).

President’s diary. EP President Roberta Metsola meets with Sweden’s Riksdag speaker Andreas Norlén, on Monday. On Tuesday, the President will deliver the closing remarks at the Anti-SLAPP Conference and hold an online meeting with the Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme, David Beasley. President Metsola will participate in a press conference on the European Rugby Team, on Wednesday.