(...) The EESC believes that developing an inclusive green economy will be Europe's main challenge in the coming years if it wants to remain a global economic power. At the Rio+20 conference, the EU pledged its commitment to the green economy as a form of sustainable development. Now is the time for the EU to take action. This is why we need an economic development model that prioritises public investment and draws up adequate incentives for private investment to develop "green" infrastructure and R&D&I, with the dual purpose of promoting production in order to emerge quickly from the current recession and guiding our transition through this third industrial revolution from a leading economic and social position (...)
Download — The green economy – promoting sustainable development in Europe
The EESC welcomes the proposal put forward by the Commission to introduce the world's first regional financial transaction tax (FTT). The Committee believes that its application at regional level (EU11+ zone) could constitute an exceptional opportunity, which could lead to its future application worldwide. The Committee believes that the introduction of this tax within the EU11+ will foster the establishment of a single financial market. The Committee believes that, in order to maximise the impact of the tax on economic growth, the revenue that it raises should be channelled into a programme of investment at national and EU levels capable of delivering economic recovery and jobs in the short term.
Download — CARS 2020 - An Action Plan for a competitive and sustainable automotive industry in Europe (communication) (Rolling programme) COM(2012) 636 final
The EESC welcomes as such the Commission's Social Investment Package and the shift in approach it represents. However, the EESC considers that the question of financing remains largely unanswered. Better use of the European structural and investment funds and the best possible targeting of the measures are certainly to be welcomed, but will certainly not be enough to achieve the desired policy shift.
Download — EESC opinion: Social Investment Package
