Exploratory Opinions

Exploratory Opinions Presidency  - Denmark

  1. Ensuring societal anchorage in EU environmental policy – assessment of most important environmental actions for the upcoming 8th Environmental Action Programme annex

NAT/951 -  Rapporteur: Lutz RIBBE  / Plenary session 598 Jul 16, 2025 - Jul 17, 2025

The European Green Deal (EGD) is the EU’s key strategy for sustainable growth, tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. As debates grow over its societal and economic impact, the European Commission plans to propose a legislative annex to the 8th Environmental Action Programme (8th EAP), outlining key climate and environmental actions for 2025-2030. At the request of the upcoming Danish Presidency, the EESC will provide an exploratory opinion to:

  • Identify and prioritize the most important environmental policies for 2025-2030, aligning with EGD and 8th EAP goals.
  • Propose strategies to integrate environmental actions into society for broader support and effective implementation.
  • Build on past EESC recommendations to guide the 8th EAP annex.

This ensures focused, actionable policies for the EU’s green transition.

  1. How to consider value chains in policymaking

INT/1087 - Rapporteur: Andrea MONE / Co-rapporteur: Gonçalo LOBO XAVIER  / Plenary session 598 Jul 16, 2025 - Jul 17, 2025

EESC exploratory opinion at the request of the Danish Presidency of the EU on 'How to consider value chains in policymaking'

Policymakers frequently intervene in business operations and regulate value chains in ways that may be incorrect or unnecessary, while failing to address areas where regulation would be beneficial. Such actions can disrupt markets, blur the responsibilities of public and private actors, and create legal uncertainty for businesses. The opinion will look into these challenges and propose a new approach to prevent such issues. At the same time, there is an increasing need to evaluate the impact of policies and legislative proposals on value chains and ensure they are adequately considered in decision-making processes.

  1. Regulatory simplification – the use of digital tools in better law-making

INT/1088 - Rapporteur: Alena MASTANTUONO / Co-rapporteur Tymoteusz Adam ZYCH  / Plenary session 598 Jul 16, 2025 - Jul 17, 2025

The opinion examines how regulatory simplification and the integration of digital tools in law-making can enhance the legislative process. It looks into how innovative, technology-driven solutions can reduce administrative burdens and foster a more business-friendly environment across Europe.

  1. How can an active and inclusive prevention approach contribute to better health and safety at the workplace – 0-death goals?

SOC/832 - Rapporteur: Nicoletta MERLO / Plenary session 599 Sep 17, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025

This opinion is prepared at the request of the upcoming Danish Presidency, which suggested that "The opinion could explore good national practices or policies fostering active and inclusive prevention strategies to ensure safer and healthier long-term workplaces in order to live up to the Zero death EU goal. The opinion could look at measures linked to social dialogue and social partners participation as well as on implementation and enforcement of Health and safety regulations in member states."

  1. How to ensure green skills and a push for green vocational institutions

SOC/833 - Rapporteur: Nicoletta MERLO / Co-rapporteur Jean-Michel POTTIER  / Plenary session 599 Sep 17, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025

The development of green skills is a necessity for the green transition, for the development of new solutions and for the rolling out of solutions. We are lacking these skills across the EU. This opinion could explore strategies to ensure an adult education system capable of providing timely and relevant re- and upskilling of the workforce, aligned with emerging skills demands for the green and digital transitions. This aligns with lifelong learning and how to keep a workforce up to date.

  1. AI, Big Data and rare diseases

SOC/834 - Rapporteur: Juliane Marie NEIIENDAM / Plenary session 599 Sep 17, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025

AI and Big data can be an opportunity to increase our understanding of rare diseases, allowing for easier diagnosis, improved treatment and rehabilitation. This opinion could explore how big data, use of AI could improve the situation for people with rare diseases and their families and provide new opportunities for the industry.

  1. European start-ups and scale-ups

INT/1089 - Rapporteur: Mira-Maria DANISMAN / Plenary session 599 Sep 17, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025

The opinion examines the role of start-ups and scale-ups in the EU economy. They are vital for innovation and economic growth. Supporting them involves addressing challenges like access to capital, talent, and markets, while reducing regulatory burden and fostering sustainable innovation.

  1. For a European Affordable Housing Plan – the contribution of civil society (European Affordable Housing Plan)

TEN/848 - Rapporteur: John COMER / Co-rapporteur: Thomas KATTNIG / Plenary session 599 Sep 17, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025

Housing costs are straining many Europeans, consuming a large share of household budgets. Prices for homes, rents, and construction have risen steadily since 2010. Transport costs are also linked, as housing location choices affect mobility expenses. Energy poverty is another major issue, with many households struggling to afford heating and electricity due to inefficient buildings and high energy costs. Improving energy efficiency in homes is key to reducing poverty, fighting climate change, and enhancing public health.

The EESC has long advocated for a just transition, tackling energy and transport poverty, and a European housing action plan. The Green Deal and Social Pillar should support clear EU housing policies while respecting national approaches. Due to growing concerns over housing affordability, the EU has appointed a Commissioner for Energy and Housing. This EESC opinion aims to shape better housing policies and improve Europeans' lives.

  1. Enhancing the EU´s ability to protect European democracies

SOC/835 - Rapporteur: Christian MOOS / Co-rapporteur: José Antonio MORENO DÍAZ / Plenary session 599 Sep 17, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025

The EU faces growing challenges to democracy, including polarization, election interference, and AI-driven disinformation. Foreign manipulation risks destabilizing elections, threatening sovereignty. Ensuring a safe online space is crucial to protect democratic dialogue and curb harmful content. The EESC opinion should assess:

  • Key measures for digital literacy, rights protection, and algorithm transparency.
  • Whether EU tools (like the Digital Services Act) are sufficient to counter disinformation and foreign interference.
  • How to improve implementation to boost resilience against hybrid threats.

  1. The role of social partners and civil society in applicant countries – supporting the transition to European values on democracy, human rights, labour rights and the rule of law in view of enlargement

REX/605 - Rapporteur: Kristina AALTONEN / Plenary session 600 Oct 21, 2025 - Oct 23, 2025

EU enlargement is not merely a political and institutional process – it is fundamentally a value-based one. Candidate countries are required to demonstrate alignment with the EU’s core values and principles. This alignment must go beyond formal legislation to include strong democratic institutions, robust civic participation and social dialogue.

In this context, the EESC emphasises that a well-functioning and rights-based public sector, underpinned by committed and competent employers and workers, is critical to embedding these values in practice.