Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, chose the conference Empowering consumers on climate change, hosted by the Civil Society Organisations' Group of the European Economic and Social Committee on 11 October, for his first green dialogue. Mr Šefčovič first spoke about the green dialogues at last week's European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety hearing confirming that he would be responsible for the European Green Deal.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) underscores the pivotal role of promoting healthy and sustainable diets in enhancing human health, preserving ecosystems, strengthening society, and supporting rural communities.
The EESC has suggested that products which cannot be repaired should not be marketed in Europe, and that merely requiring producers to inform consumers when a product cannot be fixed is not enough.
Civil society organisations from across Europe called at a conference in Paris for just, fair and inclusive climate and energy transitions that involve citizens, civil society organisations and in particular young people. They consider dialogue, cooperation and coordination at all levels a prerequisite for ...
A post-pandemic industrial strategy to ensure a strong recovery must include civil society, stresses the EESC in a newly adopted report on the draft new EU industrial strategy. It must focus on sustainability and wellbeing, measure social impacts and promote an efficient, accessible healthcare system.
The EESC Consumers and Environment Category has made significant contributions to the protection of consumer rights and the environment in Europe. It has championed topics such as the regulation of consumer over-indebtedness, planned obsolescence and the circular economy. Fair and just climate mitigation and adaptation must take centre stage of the Category's activities in the future as consumers and citizens will be key actors in the green transition. The new EU Social Climate Fund to tackle energy poverty and joining forces of all actors are key for achieving a sustainable, resilient and fairer Europe. These are some of the main messages of the conference "30 years defending European consumers", held by the Category to mark its 30thanniversary and in the context of the Conference on the Future of Europe. The event on 1 October saw topical debates and the participation of high-profile speakers.
EESC plenary provides European platform for successful European Citizens' Initiatives.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) gave the floor to the ''End the Cage Age'' European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) at its 23 January plenary, held in Brussels, providing a European level platform for it to express its goals and concerns about the welfare of farming animals.
So far, actions to boost the development of a circular economy in Europe have centred on production, getting industries to introduce circular business models and bring circular options to the market.
