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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How REIIs (Resources and Energy Intensive Industries) can take advantage of the EU Recovery Plan in their socially acceptable transition towards de-carbonisation and digitalisation (own-initiative opinion)

Opinion
Adopted on 08/12/2021
Reference: 
CCMI/183-EESC-2021
Rapporteur: 
Andrés BARCELÓ DELGADO (Employers - GR I / Spain)
Co-rapporteur: 
Enrico GIBELLIERI (Italy)

The coronavirus pandemic has hit the health of Europe's citizens and its economy hard, notably its industrial production. The European companies in the sectors with high consumption of resources and energy (REIIs) were already in a precarious situation, and are now undergoing this further, unexpected, crisis.

EESC opinion: How REIIs (Resources and Energy Intensive Industries) can take advantage of the EU Recovery Plan in their socially acceptable transition towards de-carbonisation and digitalisation (own-initiative opinion)

Anticipation of structural and sectoral change and reshaping industrial cultures – up to new borders of recovery and resilience in the different parts of Europe (own-initiative opinion – Gr II)

Opinion
Adopted on 08/12/2021
Reference: 
CCMI/184-EESC-2021
Rapporteur: 
Norbert KLUGE (Germany)
Co-rapporteur: 
Dirk JARRÉ (Germany)

By drawing on CCMI's analytical capacity on industrial change and its shaping in the industrial paradigm, the opinion will focus on the analysis of industrial transformation in a way to make it a Just Transition which is meant as beneficial for all European citizens.

EESC opinion: Anticipation of structural and sectoral change and reshaping industrial cultures – up to new borders of recovery and resilience in the different parts of Europe (own-initiative opinion – Gr II)

Health & Safety at Work – EU Strategic Framework (2021-2027)

Opinion
Adopted on 20/10/2021
Reference: 
SOC/698-EESC-2021
Referral: 
COM(2021) 323 final
Rapporteur: 
Carlos Manuel TRINDADE (Workers - GR II / Portugal)

This opinion comments on the new EU strategic framework on health and safety at work for the period 2021-2027. The framework sets out the key actions needed to improve workers' health and safety over the coming years and focuses on three objectives: managing change brought by green, digital and demographic transitions as well as changes to the traditional work environment, improving prevention of accidents and illnesses, and increasing preparedness for any potential future crises. The EESC broadly agrees with the vision set out in the strategic framework but proposes also additional measures and initiatives to be integrated in the strategy.

EESC opinion: Health & Safety at Work – EU Strategic Framework (2021-2027)

Zero Pollution Action Plan for air, water and soil

Opinion
Adopted on 20/10/2021
Reference: 
NAT/830-EESC-2021-EESC-2021-02629-00-00
Referral: 
COM(2021) 400 final COM(2021) 400 final
Rapporteur: 
Maria NIKOLOPOULOU (Workers - GR II / Spain)

The European Green Deal announced that to protect Europe’s citizens and ecosystems, the EU needs to move towards a zero pollution ambition, and better prevent and remedy pollution from air, water, soil, and consumer products.

EESC opinion: Zero Pollution Action Plan for air, water and soil

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