Europees Economisch en Sociaal Comité
Following the success of the first Youth Climate and Sustainability Round Table, the EESC will host the second EU Youth Round Table on Friday 26 November, 11:00-12:00 CET. Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, will participate in the event and will engage with the youth representatives on the topic: protecting ecosystems and restoring biodiversity.
In the context of the Sustainable Development Observatory meeting, this public event will explore the aftermath of recent climate catastrophes in Europe and look at ways of aligning science and policy.
As in previous years, the EESC was an active participant in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change – COP26, which took place in Glasgow, United Kingdom, from 31st October - 12th November 2021. The EESC delegation at COP26 included a youth delegate, Sophia Wiegand, for the first time.
The event will feature an intergenerational and international discussion on critical areas for climate and social justice: nature and sustainable business, energy transition, water management and sustainability in the global economy. Youth and high-level decision-makers will engage in a dialogue on opportunities, challenges and ways to make climate and sustainability policies participatory.
Crisis management and recovery is in the focus of the activities of the European Institutions and the Member States in 2021.
This event aims to raise awareness among policymakers and other stakeholders of the important contribution of community/grassroots initiatives to global goals and to navigating social, environmental and economic changes in support of wider transformation.
The EESC is organising this online public hearing to discuss the impacts of the environmental degradation on the fulfilment of the fundamental human rights. It will explore how recent shifts in the legal systems, the regulatory frameworks as well as the recent developments in climate litigation can leverage an achievement of environmental protection for citizens.
With the European Green Deal and the objective to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, the EU and its Member States have assumed a leading role in global climate action. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is one step in the process. As part of the "Fit for 55" legislative package, it sets a carbon price on certain goods that are imported from non-EU countries.
To feed into the EESC opinion, this remote public hearing will bring together speakers and participants from organised civil society, business associations, think tanks, as well as EU institutions to discuss the future design and implementation of CBAM.
The EESC is organising an online public hearing to gather stakeholders' and civil society's views on the new EU Forest Strategy for 2030, which will feed into the preparation of the EESC opinion on this topic.
As in previous years, the European Economic and Social Committee, as the body representing organized civil society at the EU, will be following the High Level Political Forum (HLPF), from Tuesday, 6 July, to Thursday, 15 July 2021. The HLPF is the United Nations central platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals.
