This own-initiative opinion constitutes the contribution of the ECO section to the 2025 EESC transversal own-initiative opinion package on the cost-of-living crisis, looking at specific economic policy measures that can help make the European economy future-proof.
Download — EESC opinion: Measures for a resilient, cohesive and inclusive European economy
EESC opinion NAT/946 Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies while ensuring European competitiveness, mitigating the cost-of-living crisis, and promoting a just transition. Foreseen adoption at the EESC Plenary: 29-30 April 2025.
Download — EESC opinion: Phasing out fossil fuel subsidies while ensuring European competitiveness, mitigating the cost-of-living crisis, and promoting a just transition
This own-initiative opinion will examine the impact of single market fragmentation on the cost of living and competitiveness and look into successful EU initiatives to tackle such issues. It will aim at proposing possible solutions, with particular attention to consumer protection, to the cost-of-living crisis.
Download — EESC opinion: How single market dysfunctionalities contribute to the rising cost of living
Download — EESC section opinion: Reindustrialisation of Europe – opportunity for businesses, employees and citizens in the context of the cost-of-living crisis
emphasises the necessity for the EU to reduce import dependencies, especially for critical goods like pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, and to diversify supply chains by fostering multiple international partnerships;
highlights the urgent need for targeted investments in strategic industries and infrastructure to strengthen economic resilience and bridge productivity gaps among European producers. Such investments should be part of a well-coordinated, comprehensive and adequately financed industrial policy;
recommends expanding trade agreements, particularly with reliable partners in the Global South, and advocates for regulatory efficiency improvements to streamline complex EU frameworks while maintaining high standards;
calls for enhanced financial and technical support mechanisms for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to diversify their suppliers, adopt sustainable business models, and effectively navigate regulatory complexities.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has delivered a stark but necessary message: fossil fuel subsidies (FFSs) must go. But this isn’t just another green talking point. This call comes amid a broader strategy aimed at tackling Europe’s ongoing cost-of-living crisis, which the EESC has addressed through a suite of detailed sectoral and umbrella opinions. And while the climate clock ticks louder, the numbers speak louder still – €111 billion in FFSs across the EU in 2023 alone.
