On 11 December 2019, the European Commission launched the European Green Deal reinforcing the EU’s commitment to tackling climate and environmental-related challenges that is this generation’s defining task. The objective of the European Green Deal is to transform the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, ensuring:
- no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050;
- economic growth decoupled from resource use;
- no person and no place left behind.
To deliver the European Green Deal, the EU is carrying out a comprehensive package of initiatives, including policy and legislative proposals and the development and modernisation of financing instruments.
The EESC has been calling for a "Green and Social Deal", stressing the close link between the Green Deal and social justice. It is essential to hear the voice of all stakeholders in order to foster the sustainable and competitive companies of tomorrow in a healthy environment.
The European Green Deal placed a strong emphasis on investment and the financing of the green and sustainable transition. The Green Deal is Europe’s lifeline out of the COVID-19 pandemic. One third of the 1.8 trillion euro investments from the NextGenerationEU Recovery Plan, and the EU’s seven-year budget finances the European Green Deal. This boost in funding opportunities aims to turn the crisis into a transformational opportunity for the future of Europe.
The EESC plays a crucial role in monitoring the implementation of the European Green Deal initiatives and actions. The EESC prepares opinions and organises activities (see side menu on the left of this page) to ensure the EU institutions take into account the views of organised civil society and the Green Deal initiatives are coherent with the economic, social and civic circumstances on the ground.
Due to the transversal and all-encompassing nature, the European Green Deal is covered by all EESC Sections and CCMI.
EventThe sustainable economy we need - With Executive Vice-President Timmermans
Following the success of the previous Youth Climate and Sustainability Round Tables, the EESC will host the fourth EU Youth Round Table on Tuesday 18 July, 10:30-11:30 CEST. Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, will participate in the event and will engage with the youth representatives on the topic: the sustainable economy we need for a successful implementation of the European Green and Social Deal.
EventExtraordinary meeting of the Civil Society Organisations' Group in the framework of the Czech Presidency
On 11 October 2022, the Civil Society Organisations' Group of the European Economic and Social Committee will hold a conference under the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on Reinventing the Moravian-Silesian Region in search of a socially just transition. This is an in-person event that will be streamed online.
EventHow to speed up the Shift to Renewable Energy in Europe
The Sustainable Development Observatory of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will host an online conference with the aim to assess the future development of photovoltaic systems and wind power plants and discuss how to build up the European renewable industry to avoid creating new dependencies.
EventExtraordinary Workers' Group meeting
The Workers' Group is organizing an extraordinary meeting in Prague focusing on the programme and priorities of the Czech EU Presidency and on the role of the social dialogue within the green transition.
EventThe Moravian-Silesian Region as a testing ground
While the EU is increasing its ambitions under the "Fit for 55" package, Europe's coal regions in transition are facing unprecedented structural change, exacerbated by the major energy crisis resulting from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the damage caused by the COVID -19 pandemic.
EventIn view of the upcoming Stockholm+50 conference and with the European Green Deal in mind, this event will explore ways of accelerating action for a better future on a healthy planet.
EventThe EU as a driver of shared prosperity – civil society for an economy that works for people & the planet
While Europe and its societies are still in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic and with the Conference on the Future of Europe in its closing stages, the EESC will be holding its annual Civil Society Days in March 2022.
