The European Union’s executive has unveiled a vast plan to boost co-ordination between the EU’s 28 national energy markets to wean Europe off unstable Russian gas supplies and provide cheaper energy for consumers.
European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic today called it “undoubtedly the most ambitious energy project” since the inception of the EU over half a century ago.
He believes that improving links across borders in Europe’s energy grid could save businesses and consumers up to 40 billion euro ((£29.3 billion) a year.
A more energy-independent Europe will also increase the EU’s political options in eastern Europe.
It goes without saying that if you work offshore, you work in a physically demanding and hazardous environment. So when the European Court of Justice rules that obesity can constitute a disability, then of course safety must come into the discussion.
Before we get into things, we must remember that the EU’s judgement states that obesity is only classed as a disability in certain circumstances, not in every circumstance. It’s only a disability if the person has a long-term impairment that has been induced by their weight.
A ruling that obesity can be classed as a disability will cause “confusion” and may open a “can of worms”, it was claimed yesterday.
Politicians and business chiefs were divided over the consequences of the European Court of Justice judgment on the case of 25-stone Danish child-minder Karsten Kaltoft.
Dame Anne Begg, Labour MP for Aberdeen South and chairwoman of Westminster’s work and pensions committee, said: “It’s difficult to tell what the impact will be.
The surge in European carbon permit prices may just be beginning.
The price of emission rights will rise 62% by June 30, according to the median of 16 trader and analyst estimates compiled.
UBS Group AG says costs may more than double in 2015. Carbon already jumped 44% this year, while the 22-member Bloomberg Commodities Index (BCOM) slid 14%.
Yesterday, the European Court of Justice issued its judgement in the case of Karsten Kaltoft, a 5ft 7in child minder from Denmark who, in his 15 years in that role, has never weighed less than 25 stone.
Mr Kaltoft's employment was terminated, and he felt that it was on the grounds of his obesity.
The European Court of Justice was asked to rule on two key questions: First, is it unlawful to discriminate against someone on the grounds that they are obese? Second, can obesity amount to a disability, which it is unlawful to discriminate against?
The European Court of Justice has ruled obesity can constitute a disability.
The EU’s highest court was asked to rule on the case of a male childminder in Denmark who said he was sacked for being too fat.
Legal experts had warned that the move would offer crucial protection to offshore workers who fall foul of new helicopter safety legislation limiting the size of people travelling to North Sea platforms.
The court said that if obesity could hinder “full and effective participation” at work then it could count as a disability.
Collaboration by North Sea states will help tackle Europe’s carbon emissions, an international gathering of CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) emission experts will hear.
The SCCS (Scottish Carbon and Capture Storage) annual conference will tell politicians, industry experts and academics that the combined efforts of the industry could see hundreds of years’ worth of Europe’s carbon emissions stored.
Gas talks between Russia, Ukraine and the European Union will be held in Brussels later this month.
The Russian Ministry of Energy made the announcement after a prolonged period of US and European sanctions were imposed on the country.
