It is estimated that in 2012 there were 20.3 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union, representing 98% of all businesses and providing around 90 million jobs in the single market (IP/13/1156).

SMEs are the backbone of the European economy and their contribution is essential for pursuing the goals of 'Europe 2020', the EU's strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

However, SMEs find it more difficult to comply with environmental legislation than large companies. A lack of expertise, lengthy approval procedures for new products and a lack of consumer demand are the main obstacles that prevent SMEs from entering the green markets. The aim of this Eurobarometer survey was to evaluate how European SMEs are faring in green jobs, resource efficiency and green markets, compared to a similar survey which took place in early 2012 (MEMO/12/218).

The survey included more than 11,000 SMEs in the 28 EU Member States, as well as Albania, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, the Republic of Serbia, Turkey, Israel and the USA.

Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas, responsible for mobility and transport, said:

"The vote today is a milestone in view of the completion of the Single European Rail Area, made possible by the determination of committee members. This vote creates momentum for further progress in the Council under the Greek Presidency. Our final aim is to deliver better quality and more choice for more competitive rail services in Europe".

Rail is a vital part of the EU transport system, with a key role in addressing rising traffic demand, congestion, fuel security and decarbonisation.

The EC welcomed that the TRAN Committee

• endorsed the objectives of introducing competition on domestic commercial passenger services by 2019;
• maintains guarantees for an effective independence of the infrastructure manager in the exercise of all of its functions, while introducing greater flexibility for Member States - notably by reinforcing the role of national rail regulators;
• confirmed clear rules to ensure financial transparency within vertically integrated structures, which are essential to ensure an equal and non-discriminatory access to the network;
• confirmed that competitive tendering for public service contracts in rail should be a leading principle.

However, the Commission would have preferred a more limited possibility to award rail contracts directly - but will continue to work with co-legislators in order to achieve a more balanced approach.

With the Urban Mobility Package, the Commission reinforces its supporting measures in the area of urban transport by:

• Sharing experiences, show-casing best practices, and fostering cooperation
• Providing targeted financial support
• Focusing Research & Innovation on delivering solutions for urban mobility challenges
• Involving the Member States and enhance international cooperation

As GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emissions soar unabated and the ramifications become rapidly apparent, here's a rundown of what we learned about climate change in 2013:

- There are record levels of GHG in the atmosphere

- Global Warming  may have appeared to slow down but it is an illusion

- An overwhelming majority of scientists agree that human activities are changing the climate

- Climate Change is already impacting your life

- There is not nearly enough being done to stop climate change

- There is one key formula to preventing catastrophic climate change

SPIEGEL: The economic crisis in Europe is still threatening to blow up the euro. Growth is low, so unemployment in southern Europe is reaching record levels.

DRAGHI: The crisis has not been overcome, but there are many encouraging signs. The economy is recovering in many countries, the imbalances in European trade are declining and the budget deficits in the monetary union are falling. That's more than was expected a year ago.