The maritime technology sector urgently needs policies and investment to stay competitive in the face of international competition, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has said in an exploratory opinion. Focus should be placed on skills training, finance and market access.
Key industrial sectors in Europe made the case for a more data-driven and future-oriented response to overcome the disruption arising from Covid, Russian aggression, the energy and climate crises, and industrial and social transformation.
The key role of raw materials was discussed at some length at the high-level conference hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on Monday 31 January.
At its December plenary, the European Economic and Social Committee adopted an own-initiative opinion on how resources and energy-intensive industries (REIIs) can take advantage of the EU recovery plan in their socially acceptable transition towards de-carbonisation and digitalisation. The EESC encourages the Commission and the other EU institutions to guarantee a level playing-field within the single market, in order to avoid unbalanced advantages to industry depending on each Member State's approach.
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.
Adding to the dialogue on the transition towards a climate-neutral society, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has called for more action to be taken to protect the European glass industry.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomes the proposed EU Action Plan on Synergies between the civil, defence and space industries. The Action plan can enhance Europe's strategic autonomy and technological sovereignty, improve the security of citizens and boost competitiveness, economic growth and employment. Therefore, the EESC calls for rapid, forceful and ambitious implementation of the11 actions set out in the Plan.
On 17 June, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and its Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI) held a spirited debate examining the views of organised civil society following the publication of the European Commission's Update to the New Industrial Strategy. The debate, which is the first in a series of joint activities by EESC sections on the topic, questioned whether the updated strategy contains sufficient elements to enhance EU industry's resilience and strategic autonomy.
At its March plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted an opinion drawn up by the Consultative Commission on Industrial Change (CCMI) which proposes more precise and operational governance arrangements and instruments for the implementation of the new battery regulation, with involvement of all stakeholders, as this could contribute to developing a Union framework covering the entire battery life cycle in the EU.
