Kumitat Ekonomiku u Socjali Ewropew
Bees play a vital role in preserving biodiversity and ecological balance.
The European Economic and Social Committee is the first EU institution in Brussels to launch an urban apiculture project – and this is only part of its recent commitment to reduce adverse effects on the environment. With its two hives, the EESC is actively contributing to safeguarding biodiversity in Brussels and is reaffirming its commitment to a sustainable urban environment.
The EESC adopted its contribution to the European Commission's 2018 Work Programme on 5 July 2017. In this contribution, the EESC calls on the Commission to adopt sustainable development as an overarching approach to its work programme, with reference to the three "pillars" of sustainability: i) strengthening the economic foundations of Europe; ii) fostering its social dimension; and iii) facilitating the transition towards a low-carbon and circular economy.
The "Smart Cities" project is a follow-up to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) own-initiative opinion on smart cities as a driver of a new European industrial policy, adopted in July 2015.
The EESC "Smart Islands" project is based on the own-initiative of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on Smart islands TEN/558.
The EESC Permanent Study Group on Sustainable Food Systems aims to contribute to the development of a comprehensive food policy in the EU. This leaflet presents its main priorities and ongoing work.
Representatives of European organised civil society have put forward their proposals as part of the preparation by the Commission of its 2017 Work Programme. While regretting the result of UK citizens' vote to leave the EU, the EESC asks for a rapid start to the negotiations with the UK in order to respond to the present uncertainty about the future of the EU and it demands to be fully involved in the negotiation process with the UK.
Switching from a linear (take-make-use-throw away) economy to an eco-design focused circular (make-use-reuse-remanufacturerepair) economy in which nothing is wasted is a critical challenge for Europe. It makes the economy more sustainable and reduces the environmental footprint through better resource management and reduced extraction and pollution; it also enables businesses to gain a competitive edge thanks to better management of raw materials, while making the economy less dependent on imported – potentially critical and rare – materials.
The "Smart Cities" project is a follow-up to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) own-initiative opinion on Smart cities as a driver of a new European industrial policy, adopted in July 2015.
Within the framework of the project, a delegation of seven EESC members has carried out study visits to six EU cities that have successfully implemented smart project initiatives.
