European Green Deal

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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.

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  • Call for an EU Blue Deal - Event highlights

    Published in
    20 pages

    Call for an EU Blue Deal - Event highlights - 26 October 2023

  • Declaration for an EU Blue Deal

    Published in
    8 pages

    The European Economic and Social Committee calls on the European institutions to consider water as a priority and to adopt an EU Blue Deal as a standalone strategic policy, on an equal footing with the EU Green Deal.

  • The cost of climate change on households and families in the EU

    Published in
    Study
    80 pages

    This study investigates the major climate-related risks for households in the EU by quantifying the relationship between a set of selected climate-hazards metrics, households’ income by source, and sector-specific expenditures, capturing both the climate induced cost of impacts and adaptation measures. This analysis is complemented with the assessment of mitigation policy costs for households using a mixed modelling approach.

  • Europe’s Circular Economy and its Pact for Skills: working together for an inclusive and job-rich transition?

    Published in
    Study
    61 pages

    The study reviews recent analyses to understand the green or circular skills of the future which have been identified thus far in sectoral and EU-wide research. Moreover, it examines EU Initiatives on skills development for circularity, by highlighting some limitations of these instruments and making suggestions for improvement.

  • Driving Prosperity for All: A Competitiveness Agenda for the EU

    Published in
    16 pages

    EESC Employers’ Group priorities

  • 2023 Work Programme of the Civil Society Organisations’ Group

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    12 pages

    Approach and priority areas of the Civil Society Organisations' Group for 2023

  • Empowering consumers for a more sustainable world

    Published in
    24 pages

    Conclusions of the 23rd edition of European Consumer Day 2022 - 17 November 2022

  • Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) in the Residential Sector

    Published in
    Study
    53 pages

    This study identifies key barriers to accelerating the renovation rate in the residential building sector and to implementing the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS). It provides a summary of, and recommendations for, overcoming these obstacles. 

  • Hydrogen for the de-carbonization of the Resources and Energy Intensive Industries

    Published in
    Study
    72 pages

    This study deals with the use of hydrogen for the de-carbonization of the Resources and Energy Intensive Industries (REIIs) and gives a specific insight of the situation of the steel-making industry.

  • Civil Society Organisations' Bulletin - July 2025

    Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU

    In this issue:

    • Our members write about their expectations and proposals for the Danish Presidency
    • Guest articles by Simon PRAHM (GAME), Per BACH (Social Entrepreneurs in Denmark) and Daniel VOCES DE ONAÍNDI (Europêche)
    • Interview with rapporteur Joe HEALY on 'Ensuring sustainable food production and a fair income for European farmers' (EESC opinion NAT/939)
    • Interview with the CEPS co-authors of the new EESC study 'Mapping civil dialogue practices in the EU institutions'
    • Reports on recent activities of the EESC Civil Society Organisations' Group
    • Civil Society Organisations' Bulletin - July 2025
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