Europos ekonomikos ir socialinių reikalų komitetas
Nothing can escape today's digital revolution. The "internet of things", 3D printing, artificial intelligence, big data, online platforms and the sharing economy are bringing new businesses into the digital arena and create new opportunities for innovative SMEs and start-ups. The digital revolution is bringing about changes in modes of production and patterns of consumption, how we understand the world, and even how we live together as a society.
"The Aviation Strategy should create a better climate for investment to encourage EU investors. This will increase the competitiveness of the sector and its overall role for the economy and, in consequence, promote growth and jobs", said Jacek Krawczyk, EESC rapporteur for the Aviation Strategy. In his opinion, instead of searching for financing from outside the EU and giving away market share, EU aviation should expand to emerging markets with growth potential.
The transport sector is vital to the EU’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and meet greenhouse gas emissions targets, which have been revised following the recent UN Climate Change Conference (COP 21). But transport is also fundamental for the EU's economy and people's welfare. The EESC is working to help Europe navigate towards a greener future.
Panel discussions co-organised with the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission
EESC, JDE 62, 4 March 2016, from 11 a.m. till 1 p.m.
In the framework of the 152nd meeting of the Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN Section), a thematic debate will be organised on the three main thematic pillars of the TEN Section with the Institute for Energy and Transport and Institute for Prospective Technological Studies of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission.
The EESC's opinion criticises the Commission's proposal for lacking a social dimension, since evolving business services and models will lead to profound changes in the labour market. The EESC believes that there will be many potential risks and challenges, particularly in the field of security, work organisation and social security, and that the social dimension, with all its implications for employment, should form the fourth pillar of the European Digital Single Market Strategy.
Social dumping in the road transport sector and problems with cross-border infrastructure were the main topics at the transport conference held by the European Economic and Social Committee and the Economic and Social Council of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on 11 and 12 November. The conference was attended by François Bausch, Luxembourg's Minister for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure; Melanie Schultz van Haegen, Dutch Minister for Infrastructure and the Environment and MEP Jutta Steinruck from the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs.
