How to watch the European Commission

European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Antalya, Türkiye for the COP31 12 hr ago

Second point: global electrification and EU action plan

She endorses the global “35 by 35” electrification pledge and urges others to support it, citing IEA analysis on its feasibility and benefits for prices, emissions, and energy security. Von der Leyen highlights that over 70% of EU electricity already comes from clean sources and presents the EU Electrification Action Plan to double electricity’s share in final energy use to 46% by 2040, positioning Europe as the first “electropowered continent.”

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European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Antalya, Türkiye for the COP31 12 hr ago

Opening: climate tipping point and EU targets

Von der Leyen frames recent climate disasters and energy market disruptions as evidence of a global tipping point, referencing UN findings that the 1.5°C limit will be overshot. She commits that Europe will “double down” and outlines EU trajectory: meeting the 2030 target of cutting emissions by more than half, a 90% emissions cut by 2040, and the objective of climate neutrality by 2050.

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European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Antalya, Türkiye for the COP31 13 hr ago

COP31 President keynote: Türkiye’s vision, Antalya priorities and transition to national statements

The COP31 President links Türkiye’s 2053 net‑zero and resilience agenda to global risks, arguing that climate policy is core to energy, debt, water, food and security strategies and that climate action is a competitiveness‑enhancing investment. He sets three Antalya priorities, turning NDCs into investment programmes including the 35‑by‑35 electrification pledge, overhauling climate‑finance access via the Climate Implementation Bridge, and mainstreaming resilience and climate justice in development, before formally closing the high‑level opening and moving the plenary into national statements.

In this chapter

1. COP31 President: welcome to Antalya and framing
2. COP31 President: historical analogy, Türkiye’s 2053 vision and resilience
3. COP31 President: global risks, 1.5°C overshoot and shared interests

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European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Antalya, Türkiye for the COP31 13 hr ago

COP31 Co‑Chair Chris Bowen: polycrisis context and negotiating priorities

Chris Bowen Australian Labor Party

Co‑Chair Chris Bowen situates COP31 within energy, security and economic polycrises, arguing that climate action underpins stability and that 1.5°C overshoot must be temporary through renewed multilateral trust. He highlights Pacific leadership and recent initiatives, and sets COP31 priorities around electrification via the 35‑by‑35 pledge, stronger adaptation and resilience, and faster, simpler, fairer climate finance through a presidency‑led implementation push.

In this chapter

1. COP31 Co-Chair Chris Bowen: polycrisis context and case for multilateralismChris Bowen
2. COP31 Co-Chair Chris Bowen: progress, Pacific leadership and COP31 prioritiesChris Bowen

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European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Antalya, Türkiye for the COP31 14 hr ago

WMO scientific brief: physical climate risks and early warning

The WMO Secretary‑General delivers an evidence‑based update on record ocean heat, sea‑level rise, greenhouse‑gas concentrations, energy imbalance and ice loss, underscoring escalating systemic risks. She links these trends to “supercharged” extremes and a likely 2027 temperature record, while urging investment in global observation and early warning systems as a proven, life‑saving adaptation tool for development planning.

In this chapter

1. WMO Secretary-General: scientific update on oceans, atmosphere and ice
2. WMO Secretary-General: extreme events, El Niño and early warning systems

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European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Antalya, Türkiye for the COP31 14 hr ago

Opening of joint plenary and UN mandate framing

The COP31 President formally opens the joint COP31/CMP21/CMA8 plenary and hands to UNFCCC and UNGA leadership, who set the political mandate for Antalya around urgency, implementation, equity and concrete 2035 mitigation and finance targets. Climate action is framed as a security and development imperative, with tests for COP31 on new NDCs, deep cuts by 2035, tripling renewables, operationalising loss and damage and delivering accessible, non‑debt‑creating finance for vulnerable countries.

In this chapter

1. Opening of joint COP31 / CMP21 / CMA8 session
2. UNFCCC Executive Secretary: urgency, justice and implementation
3. UN General Assembly President: climate emergency and first "test"
4. UN General Assembly President: climate finance, equity and inclusion

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College read-out / Press conference (with international sign language) by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 15 hr ago

Q&A: CPC enforcement powers, gaming rules harmonisation and closing

Journalists probe the rationale for strengthening the CPC framework, the division of roles between the Commission and national authorities, the harmonisation of loot box and pay-to-win rules for minors across the EU, and transitional rules for ongoing CPC cases, followed by the moderator’s closing remarks and information on next briefings.

In this chapter

1. Q: Le Méné: rationale for CPC reform and Commission powers
2. Q: video games industry: pay-to-win ban and harmonisation
3. Q: Brandstetter: CPC transition rules and closing

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College read-out / Press conference (with international sign language) by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 15 hr ago

Q&A: impact on video games, addictive design, and vulnerable consumers

Press questions focus on how the Digital Fairness Act and EU Kids Act affect video games, minors and parental controls, the balance between new obligations and regulatory simplification, and why addictive features for adults are managed via opt-out tools rather than bans, including safeguards on personalization and protections for vulnerable adults in areas such as pricing and gambling-like mechanics.

In this chapter

1. Q: Schulz: impact on video games and minors
2. Q: Anupriya: new obligations vs simplification and single rulebook
3. Q: Stemerding: opt-out vs opt-in for addictive design
4. Q: Rosana: safeguards for vulnerable adults and gambling

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College read-out / Press conference (with international sign language) by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 15 hr ago

Commission package: Digital Fairness Act and CPC reform

Henna Virkkunen and 1 other

Introductory segment where EVP Virkkunen and Commissioner McGrath present the new consumer package, detailing the Digital Fairness Act, updates on dark patterns, subscriptions, influencer marketing, child protection in digital environments, and the revision of the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation with new EU-level enforcement powers and fines up to 6% of global turnover.

In this chapter

1. Opening and presentation of consumer packageHenna Virkkunen
2. Commissioner McGrath: main Digital Fairness Act measuresMichael McGrath
3. Digital contracts, child-targeted practices and stronger enforcement

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College read-out / Press conference by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 16 hr ago

CPC investigations: transitional rules and closing of press conference

Answering a follow‑up on whether the Commission could take over ongoing CPC cases once the revised regulation applies, McGrath explains that existing investigations will not be automatically closed and will continue under the old CPC framework via explicit transitional provisions; the moderator then formally closes the College read‑out, thanking participants and announcing upcoming briefings.

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College read-out / Press conference by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 16 hr ago

Industry concerns: impact of DFA bans on gaming monetisation

A question on the cost to Europe’s video game industry of banning pay‑to‑win leads McGrath to justify prohibiting the most harmful, gambling‑like mechanics (loot boxes, pay‑to‑win/pay‑to‑progress) for minors in line with the EU Kids Act and social media+ rules, while allowing more transparency‑based regulation of virtual currencies; he expresses confidence that Europe’s strong gaming sector can adapt and notes that the DFA, as an EU regulation, will harmonise rules on loot boxes across all member states.

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College read-out / Press conference by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 16 hr ago

Revised CPC Regulation: limits of current network and new EU enforcement powers

Asked about shortcomings of coordinated national enforcement under the CPC Regulation and the role of Commission action, McGrath cites past successes (e.g. airline voucher refunds) but notes limits in a highly digital, cross‑border and non‑EU‑trader environment; he explains that most cases will remain national or CPC‑coordinated, while the Commission seeks direct investigative and enforcement powers for the largest cross‑border breaches, along with tighter procedural deadlines and streamlined coordination so businesses face either a single EU enforcer or a more coherent national network.

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College read-out / Press conference by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 16 hr ago

Q&A: CPC enforcement powers, harmonisation and closing

Michael McGrath

Questions focus on why the Commission needs direct CPC enforcement powers, how these interact with national authorities, the treatment of national loot box bans under an EU regulation, and transitional arrangements for ongoing CPC cases, with the Commission outlining its role in major cross-border infringements, full harmonisation effects and the application of old versus new rules before formally closing the briefing.

In this chapter

1. Q: Contexte: new CPC powers and role of national authoritiesMichael McGrath
2. Q: video games industry criticism and national loot box bans
3. Q: MLex: CPC transitional cases and closing

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College read-out / Press conference by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 16 hr ago

Protection of vulnerable adults: unfair personalisation and data use

Responding to a question on safeguards for vulnerable adults and links to online gambling, Commissioner McGrath defends personalisation in principle but stresses limits on unfair personalisation: extending DSA‑type protections against personalisation towards minors to all traders, banning use of sensitive data (e.g. ethnicity, sexual orientation) for targeting, and prohibiting personalised pricing that disadvantages consumers deemed vulnerable based on their characteristics.

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College read-out / Press conference by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 16 hr ago

Addictive design features: opt‑out approach for adults and bans for minors

A question on why endless scrolling and autoplay are only subject to an opt‑out and not an opt‑in or ban leads the Executive Vice-President to argue for proportionality, transparency and user choice for adults, noting a full ban on addictive design for minors under the Kids Act; McGrath outlines strict prohibitions and default‑off settings for minors and explains that for adults the model is optionality to switch off infinite scroll, autoplay, non‑triggered notifications, streaks and AI chat prompts, with both reiterating that adults retain free choice despite potential harms.

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College read-out / Press conference by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 16 hr ago

Simplification vs new rules: EU Kids Act and Digital Fairness Act

A journalist questions whether the EU Kids Act and Digital Fairness Act contradict the Commission’s red-tape reduction agenda; the Executive Vice-President frames both as targeted updates to existing DSA-based consumer rules and as a single, harmonised regulation replacing 27 regimes, while McGrath lists concrete simplification measures on withdrawal rights, in-app purchases and automated contracts, and argues that updated EU consumer law prevents fragmented national approaches.

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College read-out / Press conference by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 16 hr ago

Opening of Q&A: scope of Digital Fairness Act for video games

Michael McGrath

The moderator opens the Q&A and a journalist asks whether the Digital Fairness Act will radically change how games are played and why restrictions mainly target minors; the Executive Vice-President outlines the Act as a safety net complementing DSA, DMA, AI Act, EU Kids Act and AVMSD, and explains default-off spending for minors, while Commissioner McGrath details targeted bans for minors on loot boxes, pay-to-win/progress, and virtual currencies by default, with optional controls for adults.

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College read-out / Press conference by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 16 hr ago

Q&A: scope, regulatory burden and consumer protection

Henna Virkkunen and 1 other

Journalists question the impact on online games and minors, the balance between new obligations and simplification, the treatment of addictive design features and opt-out rights for adults, and safeguards for vulnerable adults and gambling, prompting the Commission to explain proportionality, targeted bans for minors, simplification measures and differentiated protection levels.

In this chapter

1. Q: RND: impact on online games and minorsHenna Virkkunen
2. Q: Rapporteur: red tape vs. new regulationsHenna Virkkunen
3. Q: NOS: addictive design, opt-out vs. banHenna Virkkunen
4. Q: Avvenire: vulnerable adults and gamblingMichael McGrath

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College read-out / Press conference by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 16 hr ago

Closing: alignment of consumer and business interests

The Commissioner reiterates the need to update EU consumer rules for the digital era, stresses equal protection and transparency online and offline, frames the reforms as supporting both consumer trust and responsible business innovation, and ends by thanking EVP Virkkunen, DG JUST, and other Commission services involved in preparing the package adopted by the College.

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College read-out / Press conference by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 16 hr ago

Enforcement reform: revised CPC Regulation and EU powers

The focus shifts to enforcement, describing current cross-border weaknesses and the proposed revision of the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation, including faster coordinated procedures, improved penalty coordination, new Commission powers to investigate and fine up to 6% of global turnover in large-scale cases, and obligations for non-EU firms to appoint an EU legal representative.

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College read-out / Press conference by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 16 hr ago

Contracts, subscriptions and protection against overspending

The Commissioner explains DFA measures on easier cancellation of digital contracts, reminders before free trials become paid, making automatic renewals an explicit choice, restricting game mechanics like loot boxes that pressure children to spend, and guaranteeing access to meaningful human customer support instead of only chatbots.

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College read-out / Press conference by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 16 hr ago

Digital harms and core Digital Fairness Act tools

The speech details manipulative online practices such as hidden fees, difficult subscription cancellations, undisclosed influencer advertising and fake scarcity claims, quantifies consumer losses at €10.3 billion per year, and outlines key DFA interventions including bans on dark patterns, addictive features by default, and exploitative targeting of children and vulnerable consumers, plus new transparency in online pricing and virtual queues.

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College read-out / Press conference by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 16 hr ago

Opening: consumer package and digital context

The Commissioner introduces the Digital Fairness Act and the update of the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation as the biggest reform in 20 years, explains how the digital economy has changed consumer behaviour, and sets out the overall ambition: more consumer control, simpler rules, fair competition, and stronger cross-border enforcement.

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College read-out / Press conference by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 16 hr ago

Executive Vice-President: Digital Fairness Act and enforcement package

Virkkunen outlines the consumer package, detailing the proposed Digital Fairness Act, the revision of the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation, and targeted amendments to the Consumer Rights Directive, focusing on dark patterns, addictive design features, influencer marketing transparency, and simplified subscription rules, alongside stronger EU-level enforcement powers and fines up to 6% of global turnover for large-scale infringements.

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College read-out / Press conference by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 16 hr ago

Moderator: opening and speakers announced

The moderator opens the press conference, notes the date, and introduces Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen and Commissioner Michael McGrath for the College read-out on consumer policy initiatives.

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College read-out / Press conference by European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna VIRKKUNEN and Commissioner Michael McGRATH on the Digital Fairness Act and a Consumer enforcement initiative 16 hr ago

Commission: presentation of new consumer package

Henna Virkkunen and 1 other

The College read-out introduces the consumer package, detailing the Digital Fairness Act and the revised Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation, their links to existing EU digital legislation, and the main objectives on dark patterns, subscriptions, influencer marketing and stronger cross-border enforcement.

In this chapter

1. Introduction: presentation of consumer packageHenna Virkkunen
2. Commissioner McGrath: Digital Fairness Act measuresMichael McGrath
3. Commissioner McGrath: enforcement reform and business impactMichael McGrath

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European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Antalya, Türkiye for the COP31 16 hr ago

Closing appeal and post-mandate commitment to climate advocacy

He frames the climate agenda as integral to sustainable development, peace, security and human dignity, praises youth, Indigenous peoples, civil society and vulnerable states as the conscience of climate action, and, noting he will no longer be Secretary-General next year, pledges to continue publicly telling the truth and advocating alongside them for stronger climate action.

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European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Antalya, Türkiye for the COP31 16 hr ago

International cooperation and implementation focus under UN leadership

He presents the fourth pillar, warning against a fragmented world of trade barriers and technology monopolies, calling for targeted cooperation on global public goods, and insisting that the climate regime evolve from negotiation-centric processes to implementation results, with the UN convening work on grids, critical minerals, methane and early warning systems.

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European Commission President Ursula von der LEYEN in Antalya, Türkiye for the COP31 16 hr ago

Climate finance at scale and polluter-pays principle

He details the third pillar on finance, urging developed countries to mobilize at least USD 300 billion annually by 2035, triple adaptation finance, reform and re-capitalize multilateral development banks, replenish key climate funds, and tax windfall profits of oil companies so that major polluters contribute directly to loss and damage funding for vulnerable countries.

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