Europski gospodarski i socijalni odbor
The COPA (Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations) Women's Committee has launched its 4th European Innovation Award for women farmers. This year's title is Women farmers as drivers of innovation and green growth in the European Union.
Five winners, coming from Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden were selected. In rewarding them, the EESC also wishes to acknowledge the contribution made by so many other committed women in rural areas.
"Just get to do it" says Rob Hopkins, the co-founder of the Transition network while showing impressive examples of peoples' initiatives which are making their environment greener and their societies more resilient. The transition movement already exists in over ..
At its plenary session on 21 September, the EESC agreed upon its opinion on Sustainable development: a mapping of the EU's internal and external policies. The Commission is currently carrying out an internal "mapping" exercise in order to identify those policies which already address the challenges set out by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The EESC refers in its opinion in particular to the chance such a transition will entail: The crucial political, social, economic and structural challenges the EU is facing now should not be ...
The Paris Agreement is rightly seen as a milestone in the fight against climate change as it is the first such convention to be legally binding under international law. Europe played no minor role in putting the necessary pressure to clinch this deal. But the 177 signatures of heads of states and governments alone won't be enough. Now it is time for Europe to take the lead again and implementing the necessary policies. This, however, will only be successful with the full involvement of European citizens ....
President Dassis calls for more commitment in Europe
"The most remarkable aspect of this new global agenda is that in a world where tensions, national egotism and conflict are on the rise, world leaders have reached agreement on a common vision and a roadmap that addresses the major global challenges of our times: ending poverty and ensure the well-being and respect for human rights, peace and the protection of our planet", said President Georges Dassis at the "How to make SDGs Europe's business" conference
The Exploratory opinion on "More sustainable food systems" (Rapporteur: Mindaugas Maciulevičius), requested by the Netherlands presidency of the EU, was adopted by the EESC at its plenary session on 26 May 2016. The opinion calls for the development of a comprehensive food policy in the EU and for an ...
In its opinion The impact of the conclusions of COP 21 on European transport policy the European Economic and Social Committee considers that, with regard to transport, the objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60% compared to 1990 levels is very ambitious and requires major efforts. However, the objective can still be considered relevant and in line with the EU's general objective under COP 21, provided the associated actions and initiatives are implemented urgently, with the necessary determination and as soon as possible.
Waning resources on the one side and growing mountains of waste on the other side are calling for a rethink of the way we live today, and, in particular the way how we manufacture, use, and deposit our products. We need to switch from a linear "extract-transform-use-throw-away" economy to a circular economy, i.e. an industrial economy which not only avoids waste and pollution but reuses, repairs, remanufactures and recycles. In its opinion on the "Circular Economy Package" ...
EESC initiates discussion on food sustainability
The situation is troubling. The global population is projected to reach a staggering 9.6 billion by 2050, according to the UN. But the global food production system is struggling to feed the current population of up to 7.5 billion, with output only marginally exceeding consumption.
The EESC welcomes the fact that the European Commission has made it a priority to simplify the implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Increased transparency and legal certainty should go hand in hand with a reduction in red tape for farmers, other beneficiaries, producer organisations and national administrations. A simplified CAP needs to be implemented as soon as possible and farmers should be provided with necessary information and education-based support. For the EESC, it is particularly important to look into the consistency of current requirements, including their impact on the environment, food safety, food availability and job creation.
