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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  • Adopted on 02/12/2020 - Bureau decision date: 28/10/2020

    Protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work

    Reference
    SOC/659-EESC-2020
    Referral
    COM(2020) 571 final 2020/0262 COD
    COM(2020) 571 final 2020/0262 COD
    Download — EESC opinion: Protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work
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  • Adopted on 02/12/2020 - Bureau decision date: 20/02/2020

    Towards an EU strategy for enhancing green skills and competences for all (own-initiative opinion)

    Reference
    SOC/636-EESC-2020
    Rapporteur
    Tatjana BABRAUSKIENĖ
    Workers - GR II
    Lithuania

    This opinion is being prepared at a time where the shift to a low-carbon economy is more urgent than ever and where new "green" occupations emerge and existing jobs need to be "greened". This implies needs for new skill sets, which necessitate updated curricula or even new qualifications across education and training levels. These new "green skills" can range from very technical and job-specific skills to "softer" skills such as responsible use of resources, which can be relevant across occupations, levels of hierarchy and sectors. While the "greening" of the economy creates skill needs, particularly in specific sectors such as energy and resource efficiency, construction and manufacturing, moving towards a circular economy creates "green" skill needs across the board.

    Download — EESC opinion: Towards an EU strategy for enhancing green skills and competences for all (own-initiative opinion)
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  • Adopted on 29/10/2020 - Bureau decision date: 28/05/2020

    The Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy 2020 (additional opinion)

    Reference
    ECO/520-EESC-2020
    Rapporteur
    Philip VON BROCKDORFF
    Workers - GR II
    Malta

    This additional opinion updates and complements the proposals made in the original ASGS opinion, adopted in February this year. The EESC welcomes the step forward towards embracing a more social, inclusive and sustainable economic model, particularly given the economic and social effects of COVID-19. To support the economic recovery and public investment, and in support of a digital and green transformation, the EESC believes that a revision of the Stability and Growth Pact, flexibility in state aid rules and a rethink of tax policy is necessary. Well-resourced public health measures and social security systems are likewise of vital importance. The EESC also welcomes the Commission's proposals for Next Generation EU and sees the ASGS as an opportunity for the EU to shift towards an economic model that gives equal weighing to both economic and social objectives.

    Download — EESC opinion: The Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy 2020 (additional opinion)
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  • Adopted on 27/10/2020 - Bureau decision date: 18/02/2020

    Updated skills agenda

    Reference
    SOC/637-EESC-2020
    Referral
    COM(2020) 274 final
    COM(2020) 275 final 2020/0137 NLE
    COM(2020) 275 final 2020/0137 NLE
    Rapporteur
    Tatjana BABRAUSKIENĖ
    Workers - GR II
    Lithuania
    Download — Information memo: Updated skills agenda
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  • Adopted on 18/09/2020 - Bureau decision date: 09/06/2020

    ESF+/Amended proposal

    Reference
    SOC/655-EESC-2020
    Referral
    COM(2020) 447 final 2018/0206 COD
    Rapporteur
    Krzysztof BALON
    Civil Society Organisations - GR III
    Poland
    Co-rapporteur
    Carlos Manuel TRINDADE
    Workers - GR II
    Portugal
    Download — EESC opinion: ESF+/Amended proposal
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  • Adopted on 18/09/2020 - Bureau decision date: 02/04/2020

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

    Reference
    NAT/794-EESC-2020
    Rapporteur
    Peter SCHMIDT
    Workers - GR II
    Germany
    Co-rapporteur
    István KOMORÓCZKI
    Employers - GR I
    Hungary
    Download — EESC opinion: Digitalisation and Sustainability – status quo and need for action in civil society perspective (Exploratory opinion at the request of the German presidency)
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  • Adopted on 18/09/2020 - Bureau decision date: 02/04/2020

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

    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.

    Download — EESC opinion: Sustainable supply chains and decent work in international trade (Exploratory opinion at the request of the German presidency)
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  • Adopted on 18/09/2020 - Bureau decision date: 20/02/2020

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

    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.

    Download — EESC opinion: Digital Mining in Europe: New solutions for the sustainable production of raw materials (own-initiative opinion)
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  • Adopted on 18/09/2020 - Bureau decision date: 20/02/2020

    Carbon markets: Emergence, structuring and challenges for European industry (own-initiative opinion)

    Reference
    REX/531-EESC-2020
    Rapporteur
    Emmanuelle BUTAUD-STUBBS
    (France
    Download — EESC opinion: Carbon markets: Emergence, structuring and challenges for European industry (own-initiative opinion)
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  • Adopted on 18/09/2020 - Bureau decision date: 20/02/2020

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

    Reference
    NAT/788-EESC-2020
    Rapporteur
    Cillian LOHAN
    Civil Society Organisations - 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.

    Download — EESC opinion: Towards structured youth engagement on climate and sustainability in the EU decision-making process (own-initiative opinion)
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Displaying 71 - 80 of 146