The European Commission has requested from the EESC an exploratory opinion on industrial and technological approaches and best practices supporting a water resilient society. Building on EESC's previous work on the EU Blue Deal, this exploratory opinion aims to make concrete recommendations on how to boost the development and uptake of new water technologies and best practices in the EU and support notably industries in the transformation towards a water-resilient society, taking into account sectoral constraints.
Download — Mnenje EESO: Industrial and technological approaches and best practices supporting a water resilient society
Increasing tensions between geopolitical blocs, supply chain problems and the need to respond to the challenges of climate change, rising resource consumption and social imbalances are now key areas of activity in European industrial policy.
Download — Mnenje EESO: Industrial Policy as an instrument to reduce dependencies and boost an EU market for green products in the resource and energy-intensive industries (REEIs)
Europea Economic and Social Committee's opinion on Modern Business Responsibility – Avenues for Elevating MSMEs Ability for Successful Transformation (own-initiative opinion).
Download — Mnenje EESO: Modern Business Responsibility – Avenues for Elevating MSMEs Ability for Successful Transformation
The Green Deal Industrial Plan aims to enhance the competitiveness of Europe's net-zero industry and support the fast transition to climate neutrality.
Download — Mnenje EESO: Green Deal Industrial Plan
All industries rely on water. Anticipating future risks related to water scarcity as well as quality and increasing pricing of water is vital for industries, particularly for water-intensive sectors. Many industries are increasingly facing the pressure to progressively adopt more water-efficient production processes and reduce their environmental impact.
Download — Mnenje EESO: Water-intensive industries and water-efficient technologies
Working life is transforming due to the accelerating digital transformation, automation, and transition to climate neutrality. A workforce with the right skills will contribute to strengthen the competitiveness of the union. Against the background of the Commission’s announcement of making 2023 the European Year of Skills. What competence and skill development will be needed?
Download — Mnenje EESO: Competence and skill development in a context of the green and digital transition
In this opinion, the EESC states that the transformation of the European labour market requires good understanding of what type of skills are needed for future labour market transformations, including in SMEs, in order to maintain sustainable employability, contribute to a high level of productivity and to reduce labour shortages. It believes that skills development and effective implementation of the right and access to lifelong learning must be an integral part in broader economic growth strategies and recovery and resilience plans. It highlights that the capacity to constantly update digital skills according to labour market changes and introduction of new technologies will undoubtedly be among the most important challenges in the future. Support for SMEs is needed to facilitate the development of their human capital training and development policy.
Download — Mnenje EESO: Supporting labour market developments: how to maintain employability, boost productivity and develop skills, especially in SMEs
This opinion will assess the chances and challenges that SMEs face due to the green transition and will call the EU and the Member States to provide them with a favourable business environment, proper funding and support measures.
Download — Mnenje EESO: SMEs, social economy enterprises, crafts and liberal professions Fit for 55
