Highlights

Russia's targeting of Ukraine's power infrastructure demonstrates that decentralised solar photovoltaics (PV) and storage can help maintain critical services when centralised grids fail. New analysis suggests European Union rooftops could meet 40 % of long-term electricity demand by 2050, yet the technology remains under-deployed. This 'What if' discusses how the EU could treat building-integrated solar not as a green add-on, but as a deliberate pillar of energy security.

New and emerging plant pests can undermine EU food security and farm/forestry incomes through yield losses, trade disruption and costly control measures, while also causing major environmental impacts through biodiversity loss, landscape change and increased pressure to use pesticides. Using a comprehensive foresight methodology, this study examines how global trade and tourism, climate change and agricultural systems contribute to the introduction and spread of new and emerging plant pests, assesses ...

This study examines the possible long‑term trajectories of the European railway system by analysing the trends, drivers, and uncertainties shaping its evolution towards 2050. It explores how emerging technological, regulatory, economic and societal developments may influence the role of rail within a sustainable, resilient, and competitive European transport system. The analysis considers a range of plausible future configurations for the sector, assessing their implications for mobility, energy ...

There has been growing interest in applications of digital tools, especially using artificial intelligence (AI) to promote civic engagement in policymaking. At the same time, EU institutions and civil society are keen to strengthen democratic participation in EU policymaking, partly to make this process more accessible to citizens. This study provides evidence for how digital participation tools can promote civic engagement in EU policymaking and the preconditions for doing so. Building on a comprehensive ...