This week, the Commission holds a workshop for applicants to the European Natura 2000 Awards; the Housing Commissioner launches the EU’s Affordable Housing Act; MEPs in committee vote on a proposal to halt automatic cancellation of excess carbon allowances in the market stability reserve of the EU Emissions trading system, as well as on a review of the rules governing the trans-European energy networks, and recommendations for the future of EU-China relations; and we have International Product Safety Week. The week’s events in the European Union including EU Council, Commission and Parliament meetings from 7 to 12 September 2026.
Monday 7 September
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament committee and political group meetings
Brussels
Irish Presidency priorities: MEPs from the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, Legal Affairs, and Industry, Research and Energy committees will discuss the priorities of the Irish Presidency of the Council with the responsible Irish ministers. (Monday and Thursday)
Plenary preparations: Political groups will prepare for the 14 – 17 September plenary session, when MEPs will discuss the state of the European Union with Ursula von der Leyen and hear hear from Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney. They will also debate and vote on a report by the special committee on the European Democracy Shield and on proposals to strengthen Europe’s defence readiness and enhance the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism. MEPs will also vote on advancing the EU’s efforts in combatting hybrid threats, on the impact of social media and the online environment on young people, on the EU youth strategy, and on their assessment of the common fisheries policy.
Monday 7 – Thursday 10 September
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Consumer | E-commerce
International Product Safety Week
Brussels
International Product Safety Week 2026 “Product safety in motion” is the European Commission’s flagship international event on product safety.
Since 2006, IPSW has brought together regulators, international organisations, industry representatives, consumer organisations, academics and other stakeholders from across the globe to discuss the most pressing product safety challenges.
As consumer markets become increasingly digitalised, new opportunities and challenges continue to emerge, making IPSW an important platform for exchanging experiences, discussing solutions, and shaping the future of product safety. The programme will address key product safety priorities, including international cooperation, the implementation of the UN Principles on Consumer Product Safety, the evolving e-commerce landscape, product safety in the digital economy, enforcement cooperation, digital tools for market surveillance, child safety, and future perspectives for global product safety.
Tuesday 8 September
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Climate change
Innovation Fund Webinar – IF26 Hydrogen Auction
Live streaming available
The European Commission will host a webinar on the draft Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) for the Innovation Fund’s upcoming IF26 Hydrogen Auction.
The event will provide an overview of the main feedback received during the six-week public consultation ending on 24 August 2026. The webinar will also offer participants the opportunity to ask questions.
The webinar will take place online (via Webex) and will be recorded.
Wednesday 9 September
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament committee and political group meetings
Brussels
Affordable housing: MEPs on the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the EU will host Dan Jorgensen, Commissioner for Energy and Housing. The Commissioner will launch the EU’s Affordable Housing Act, and MEPs are expected to question him on how EU will help member states, regions and local authorities to ease housing market pressure, unaffordability, and housing shortages.
State of the European Union: Parliament’s Conference of Presidents (EP President Metsola and political group leaders) will meet Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to prepare the State of the Union debate taking place on 16 September in Strasbourg.
Wednesday 9 September
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Protected area | Biodiversity
Online applicant workshop: European Natura 2000 Award
Online only
The people and organisations protecting and managing Natura 2000 site(s) and interested in applying to become the next Natura 2000 Award winner are invited to participate in this online applicant workshop.
This dedicated, online workshop will provide an overview of the competition process, designed to help applicants across Europe understand the necessary steps needed to make a successful application.
The call for applications is open from 21 May to 30 September 2026.
Thursday 10 September
European Parliament | Political Meetings | Institutional affairs
European Parliament committee and political group meetings
Brussels
Electricity grids package: Industry, research and energy committee MEPs will vote on a review of the rules governing the trans-European energy networks. The purpose of the review is to better integrate the EU’s electricity network across member states to lower prices, close electricity infrastructure gaps and keep electricity flowing across borders during crises.
Emissions trading system (ETS): MEPs on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety will vote on a proposal to halt the automatic cancellation of excess carbon allowances in the market stability reserve of the EU ETS, when the number of allowances exceeds 400 million. The move is intended to prevent carbon price volatility and protect industries during potential market shortage.
EU – China relations: Foreign affairs committee MEPs will vote on their recommendations for the future of EU-China relations. They are set to focus on bilateral trade imbalances, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, and the human rights situation in China.
Thursday 10 September
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Maritime shipping
7th international ship autonomy and sustainability summit
Malmö, Sweden
he 7th international ship autonomy and sustainability summit will bring together leading maritime experts and stakeholders to explore the future of autonomous shipping and the wide implications of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS). Discussions will address the technical, economic, environmental and social impacts of MASS and its role in shaping the future of global shipping.
Thursday 10 September
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Climate change
Carbon removals and carbon farming: Next steps for the Buyers Club
Live streaming available
European Commission’s DG Climate Action is hosting a webinar on the development of the permanent removals of the EU CRCF Buyers Club, a voluntary platform bringing together buyers and suppliers under the EU Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation. The webinar will cover recent EU policy developments, with a particular focus on the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the wider policy package expected by the end of 2026. It will also provide a short update on the next steps for the Buyers Club, including activities related to carbon farming.
Friday 11 September
Other bodies and agencies | Conferences and summits | Auditing | Financial control
Conference 2026 – Internal Audit in motion: Keeping pace with a changing Europe
Brussels | Live streaming available
The 2026 Internal Audit Conference (IAS) Conference will explore how internal audit can adapt its skills, methodologies and strategic role to remain relevant and effective. Discussions will focus on the transformation of the EU budget, the growing importance of financial operations, the impact of technology and artificial intelligence on audit work, and the contribution of internal audit to sound governance, organisational resilience and proactive risk management.
Friday 11 September
Other bodies and agencies | Training and workshops | Financial services | Sustainable finance
Workshop on sustainable mining and extraction (upstream) of critical raw materials (CRMs)
Online only
International Platform on Sustainable Finance (IPSF) series of workshops on transition finance workstream on strategic sectors and critical raw materials.
The IPSF Secretariat is organising an online workshop on the sustainable financing of critical raw materials (CRMs). The event will focus on the upstream part of the CRM value chain, in particular the mining and extraction of nickel, lithium and copper.
The workshop will bring together sustainable-finance experts, investors and lenders, the mining industry and responsible-mining initiatives.
