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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Towards structured youth engagement on climate and sustainability in the EU decision-making process (own-initiative opinion)

Opinion
Adopted on 18/09/2020
Reference: 
NAT/788-EESC-2020
Rapporteur: 
Cillian LOHAN (Diversity Europe - GR III / Ireland)

This opinion will look into the possibilities to engage with young people in a formal way at institutional level and provide the building blocks for a new structured approach to youth engagement at EU level.

EESC opinion: Towards structured youth engagement on climate and sustainability in the EU decision-making process (own-initiative opinion)

Between a trans-European super grid and local energy islands – the right mix of decentralised solutions and centralised structures for an economically, socially and ecologically sustainable energy transition

Opinion
Adopted on 18/09/2020
Reference: 
TEN/706-EESC-2020
Rapporteur: 
Lutz RIBBE (Diversity Europe - GR III / Germany)
Co-rapporteur: 
Thomas KATTNIG (Workers - GR II/Austria)

EESC opinion: Between a trans-European super grid and local energy islands – the right mix of decentralised solutions and centralised structures for an economically, socially and ecologically sustainable energy transition

Digitalisation and Sustainability – status quo and need for action in civil society perspective (Exploratory opinion at the request of the German presidency)

Opinion
Adopted on 18/09/2020
Reference: 
NAT/794-EESC-2020
Rapporteur: 
Peter SCHMIDT (Workers - GR II / Germany)
Co-rapporteur: 
István KOMORÓCZKI (Employers - GR I/Hungary)

EESC opinion: Digitalisation and Sustainability – status quo and need for action in civil society perspective (Exploratory opinion at the request of the German presidency)

Sustainable supply chains and decent work in international trade (Exploratory opinion at the request of the German presidency)

Opinion
Adopted on 18/09/2020
Reference: 
REX/532-EESC-2020
Rapporteur: 
Tanja BUZEK (Workers - GR II / Germany)

Key points

Global supply chains (GSC) are key and complex in economic activities across the world and in global trade. Economic growth, job creation and entrepreneurship are also contested by evidence of negative implications for working conditions as well as for sustainability in some supply chains.

The COVID-19 crisis has unveiled the serious downfalls related to highly fragmented and undiversified supply chains. It exposed the vulnerability of workers' health and safety, and it highlighted violations of human rights. Trade will have to play a key role in promoting a sustainable economic recovery. However, stronger instruments need to deliver on a socially and environmentally responsible business, trade and investment agenda.

GSC need to become more resilient, diversified and responsible, and ambitious actions need to ensure they contribute to a fairer economic and social model, based on sustainability and decent work.

EESC opinion: Sustainable supply chains and decent work in international trade (Exploratory opinion at the request of the German presidency)

Digital Mining in Europe: New solutions for the sustainable production of raw materials (own-initiative opinion)

Opinion
Adopted on 18/09/2020
Reference: 
CCMI/176-EESC-2020
Rapporteur: 
Marian KRZAKLEWSKI (Poland)
Co-rapporteur: 
Hilde VAN LAERE (Belgium)

Securing sustainable access to raw materials, including metals, industrial minerals and construction raw materials, and particularly Critical Raw Materials (CRM), is of high importance for the EU economy. However, the EU is confronted with a number of technological and environmental challenges along the entire production value chain of primary and secondary raw materials.

EESC opinion: Digital Mining in Europe: New solutions for the sustainable production of raw materials (own-initiative opinion)

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