How to recalibrate the Green Deal that it fits for purpose

Background

The success of the Green Deal – the EU's growth model for the 21^st century based on a clean and circular economy – has set ambitious targets to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent in the world, aiming to achieve zero emissions by 2050.

The EU is now entering the phase of implementing the Green Deal's measures. While some rules are still being rolled out, others are already in place, and some are nearing the review stage. It is a critical moment to assess the Green Deal's performance.

In the EESC's view, the existing assessments have been inconsistent and patchy, particularly with regard to obligations, measures and sector-specific targets. This lack of clarity affects both compliance and enforcement.

In the opinion, the EESC gives an overview of possible areas for recalibration, including the Energy Efficiency Directive, the EU ETS mechanism, Clean Mobility, the common agricultural policy (CAP) and others.  It highlights rules that complicate matters for businesses and insists that the Green Deal's implementation should not be at the expense of Europe's industrial system, workers' well-being or the EU economy's competitiveness, which depend on a healthy workforce and thriving ecosystems.

Key points:

In the opinion, the EESC:

1. while fully supporting the Green Deal and its objectives, points out the need to assess it in order to gauge its response to exogenic shocks, the geopolitical situation, and technological, social and economic developments, as well as to measure progress achieved thus far;
2. calls on the European Commission to initiate the mapping of measures adopted under the Green Deal to address overlaps, conflicts and the cumulative administrative burden and to provide a publicly available online dashboard recording each Member State's progress in this domain;
3. points out that the EESC itself should be empowered and endowed with the necessary resources to play the role of independent monitor of Green Deal implementation, since it is in a position to create a fact-based picture of the progress achieved within the different pillars of the Green Deal.

The text of the draft opinion can be found here.

Additional information

Section: Single Market, Production and Consumption

Opinion number: INT/1065

Opinion type: Own-initiative opinion

Rapporteur: Alena Mastantuono

Reference: Rule 52(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Date of adoption by section: 5/9/2024

Result of the vote: 92 in favour/1 against/3 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 18/9/2024 – 19/9/2024

Result of the vote:   in favour/ against/ abstentions

Contacts:

Press officer: Laura Lui          

Tel.: 00 32 2 546 9189

Email:  laurairena.lui@eesc.europa.eu

Administrator: Marco Manfroni

Tel.: + 32 2 546 9140

Email: Marco.Manfroni@eesc.europa.eu