Comité Económico y Social Europeo
El 11 de diciembre de 2019, la Comisión Europea puso en marcha el Pacto Verde Europeo, que refuerza el compromiso de la UE de hacer frente a los retos relacionados con el clima y el medio ambiente, que es la misión que define a esta generación. El objetivo del Pacto Verde Europeo es transformar la UE en una economía moderna, eficiente en el uso de los recursos y competitiva que garantice que:
Para cumplir el Pacto Verde Europeo, la UE está aplicando un amplio paquete de iniciativas que incluye propuestas políticas y legislativas y el desarrollo y la modernización de los instrumentos de financiación.
El CESE viene reclamando un «Pacto Verde y Social», subrayando el estrecho vínculo entre el Pacto Verde y la justicia social. Es esencial escuchar a todas las partes interesadas para fomentar las empresas sostenibles y competitivas del mañana en un entorno saludable.
El Pacto Verde Europeo hizo especial hincapié en la inversión y la financiación de la transición ecológica y sostenible. El Pacto Verde es la principal vía de recuperación de Europa tras la pandemia de COVID-19. El Pacto Verde Europeo se financia mediante un tercio de las inversiones por valor de 1,8 billones EUR del plan de recuperación NextGenerationEU y el presupuesto para siete años de la UE. Este impulso de las oportunidades de financiación tiene por objeto convertir la crisis en una oportunidad transformadora para el futuro de Europa.
El CESE desempeña un papel crucial en el seguimiento de la aplicación de las iniciativas y medidas del Pacto Verde Europeo. El CESE elabora dictámenes y organiza actividades (véase el menú lateral izquierdo de esta página) para garantizar que las instituciones de la UE tengan en cuenta los puntos de vista de la sociedad civil organizada y las iniciativas del Pacto Verde sean coherentes con las circunstancias económicas, sociales y cívicas sobre el terreno.
Debido a su carácter transversal y global, el Pacto Verde Europeo está cubierto por todas las secciones del CESE y la CCMI.
In September 2020, the European Commission presented the Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials, which also contains the 2020 List of Critical Raw Materials.
The European Economic and social Committee (EESC) supports the Commission's intention as set out in its Communication: integration of the electricity system with the heat and transport system is vital to reach the goals of climate neutrality, security of energy supply, including reduction of energy imports, and the goal of affordable prices for Europe's consumers and the European economy.
The EESC considers that the European Union must overcome the COVID-19 crisis by building a new model for society, one which will make our economies more green, just and resistant to future shocks. European recovery funds must enable businesses, innovators, workers and investors to affirm their role as world leaders in the expanding clean energy markets.
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.
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.
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.