In an opinion adopted at its April plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) sounds the alarm on the EU's strategic autonomy, urging the EU to invest heavily in critical sectors such as energy, space and defence, or risk falling behind global competitors like the US and China.
In a joint response to the European Commission's postponement of the Water Resilience Initiative, representatives of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the MEP Water Group of the European Parliament (EP) and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) have sent an open letter to Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, asking the Commission to adopt a comprehensive approach to water and reiterating their call for an EU Blue Deal.
The European Economic and Social Committee's (EESC) call for an EU Blue Deal is garnering support from policymakers and civil society. This momentum is driven by a growing recognition of the urgency of addressing water scarcity and the potential of the Blue Deal to provide a comprehensive solution to this pressing issue.
In a recently adopted opinion, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) warns that the EU's overreliance on imports of active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished medicines from Asia poses threats to the health and well-being of EU citizens. The EESC therefore proposes a Critical Medicines Act.
On 26 October, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) unveiled its plan for a comprehensive EU water strategy. The EESC is leading the way as the first European institution to take concrete steps to address the water crisis. Its proposals include: water consumption labels, a Blue Transition Fund, water conditionality in EU fund, and a dedicated EU Commissioner for water. Read EESC President Oliver Röpke's Declaration for an EU Blue Deal.
The EESC adopted an opinion at its July plenary emphasising the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to raw materials policies. It proposes expanding critical materials lists, ensuring fair energy prices, simplifying permits, prioritising recycling and promoting capacity building in EU raw materials policies.
Adopting a human rights approach to water management, boosting investments in infrastructure and technologies, introducing water consumption labels and price restructuring are among the key recommendations of the six EESC opinions on water adopted at its July plenary. They make up the first wave of EESC proposals for a comprehensive water policy for Europe under its Blue Deal initiative. On 26 October, the EESC will present its Call for an EU Blue Deal to the EU institutions and stakeholders.
At its April plenary, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted an exploratory opinion requested by the European Commission to gather input from civil society on the impact of the metaverse on society. The document, which examines the business environment, working conditions and development of civil society, suggests that the metaverse will bring with it both opportunities and risks that the EU must address rapidly to create an ethical, safe, and inclusive virtual environment for all.
As water scarcity and pollution continue to pose global challenges, the current EU policy framework seems insufficient. To address this, top-level water experts gathered on 27 February at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) to identify possible solutions. The hearing marks the beginning of the EESC's work on water. The Committee is preparing a set of own-initiative opinions examining the economic, social, environmental, and geopolitical aspects of water and, in the autumn, will share civil society's recommendations for the future of water in the EU.
The maritime technology sector urgently needs policies and investment to stay competitive in the face of international competition, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has said in an exploratory opinion. Focus should be placed on skills training, finance and market access.
