This paper brings, as an element of novelty and originality, a strategic feasibility study, in the form of a logical analysis related to the proposed objective, with particularization to the area of the EFTA plus the UK and Ireland. We tried to achieve an overall picture of a sustainable and prudent transition at the macroeconomic level, but also at the microeconomic and local levels, with specific values of ecological and energy-smart villages/towns. The convergent actions of the signatory states of the climate treaty COP-26/2021—Glasgow, UK are to improve the logistics and financing of the large-scale replacement of fossil fuels used in the economy and lives of human society. Various strategies have been discussed to address the energy mixes that could be used in the transition phase in stages and combined-cycle natural-gas plants, conditioned by the implementation of CCUS technology. The preliminary stage will focus on the provision and implementation of modern technologies for the production of electricity in photovoltaic and wind power. Starting with the 2030s, the industrialized production of blue and green hydrogen is expected; the first is expected to be obtained from the chemical synthesis of natural gas with the separation and storage of residual carbon from chemical reactions, and the second directly from ocean water through the phenomenon of H₂O electrolysis. As a basic legislative element, the strategy aims to refine the idea of a carbon tax at the border or at the user, in order to discourage the use of fossil fuels.

In this paper, we examined the relationship between income inequality and economic growth from the perspective of each country’s level of development in the European Union, this linkage being reviewed using the median of GDP per capita expressed in the purchasing power standard to split the European Union Member States into two clusters of 14 countries each. Furthermore, we estimated the impact of income inequality on economic growth during the 2010–2018 period at the level of both clusters using the Estimated Generalized Least Squares with a fixed effects method, reinforced by the cross-section weights option. Our results show that income inequality is positively linked to economic growth in the case of developed EU Member States, while for developing EU countries, income inequality is detrimental to growth. This also demonstrates that income gaps may have positive and negative effects on growth depending on the stage of development, this providing important evidence for the need to promote an optimum level of income inequality.

Subject and purpose of work: The economic crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic was fundamentally different from those of the past, with unforeseen implication on supply chains and European trade. As the literature regarding the pandemic is vast bibliometric techniques were used to find the most influential themes and authors. The aim of this paper is to test if cascading failure is possible when shocks arise in European trade. Materials and methods: To characterise the European commerce, network analysis was employed using Eurostat data of imports and exports in the following years: 2018, 2019 and 2020. Trade value indices were also used to characterised European trade during the pandemic and Enterprise Survey run by World Bank for in-depth, cross economies comparisons. Results: The results from the network analysis characterise the compactness of the network, showing that the European trade network is characterised by robustness. Conclusions: Cascading failure has a low probability of occurrence.

This study investigates the nuanced influence of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) on wage dynamics among Croatian workers, specifically examining the differential effects on male and female salaried employees. The authors employed statistical indicators and regression analysis, utilizing data from reputable sources, such as UNCTAD and the World Bank, to assess the dependency of wages on FDIs at time periods n and n − 1. By focusing on these temporal dynamics, the study aims to capture potential changes in the relationship between wages and FDIs, aligning with the total quality management (TQM) principle of systematic analysis. The findings highlighted the differential impact of FDIs on wage evolution for male and female workers, underscoring the importance of integrating gender-sensitive strategies within quality management frameworks.