European banks want the EU to designate them as a strategic sector

European banks want EU to designate them a critically important'strategic' sector. European Banking Federation (EBF) leads a list of 45 policy recommendations. The body's president, Christian Sewing, last year urged that banks be recognised as strategic. He called them a "key factor for European sovereignty" in his role as Deutsche Bank chief executive.

Environmental services provider, PreZero, continually seeks new methods to maximize waste recycling efficiency. PreZero's dedication to innovation in the recycling process results in impressive projects and fosters a network of global partnerships. PreZero: Diverse Paths in the Circular Economy. Prezero.com.

CO2SMOS, VIVALDI and CATCO2NVERS are EU-funded projects exploring ways to replace fossil-based carbon in chemicals with carbon emitted by installations processing biomass. EU regulations must ensure that sustainable carbon is recognised as the easier, cheaper and necessary alternative.

European research commissioner Iliana Ivanova has called for honest and frank discussions with EU leaders about the bloc’s strategic priorities and the need to back further investment in research and innovation. Ivanova: Europe needs a strong and strategic research budget, says EU commissioner.

Euro area’s two largest economies continued to contract in March, feeding expectations that a sustained pickup in activity will take more time to materialize. The euro area's two biggest economies continue to contract, fed expectations that the pickup will take a longer time. The Eurozone's biggest economies are expected to contract for the first time in the past year.

Europe must accelerate efforts to transform its economy into a circular one focused on reusing or repurposing materials to cut waste, the European Environment Agency says. Circular economy is a necessity if it is meet climate targets, the agency says. Europe needs to step up circular economy efforts: EU agency.