European Economic
and Social Committee
Recent EESC achievements
We bring you a series of eleven stories about the European Economic and Social Committee’s recent achievements. They show how the EESC has successfully sought to ensure that issues of key economic and social importance for Europe, identified by social partners and civil society, are discussed and addressed at EU level. They also demonstrate how, through our consultative work, we influence EU legislation and subsequently monitor its proper implementation.
With our EU Youth Test, we are a pioneer among EU institutions in actively involving young people in our work, to avoid young people becoming disengaged from European issues. The EU Blue Deal, in turn, was instrumental in bringing water issues, from economic to environmental, to the level of Brussels’ strategic work. The same goes for affordable housing, which we have repeatedly called for and which is finally beginning to take its rightful place in the work of the European Commission and other EU institutions.
Our recommendations have helped to ensure that new EU legislation on public deficit and debt reduction plans – in a socially sustainable way – requires the consultation of civil society. The EESC has been a key advocate of the ‘right to repair’ in EU consumer protection legislation. And we make sure that measures on rare diseases, including new medicines, have a place in the European Commission’s work. The EESC also calls for an EU Food Policy Council to promote a holistic approach to food policy.
Our recommendations regarding the European Green Deal, which should be both green and social, have been part of the creation of an Energy Poverty Advisory Hub. And the European Commission is also working on the EESC’s call for a Just Transition Observatory. In addition, we continue to play a crucial role in the consultation and exchange of experience on the circular economy, and in civil society monitoring of the economic and social aspects of trade agreements, which are increasingly at the centre of political debate in the EU.
Our achievements
As global environmental crises escalate and the EU generates 2.2 billion tonnes of waste annually, a circular economy is not just an option—it is a necessity. The model revolutionises how we manage resources, eliminating waste by keeping products and materials in use through recycling, reusing, and repairing, unlike the outdated ‘take-make-dispose’ approach.
Millions of Europeans have no access to affordable or social housing, resulting in housing insecurity, financial strain and homelessness. Eurostat reports a staggering 47% increase in house prices across the EU from 2010 to 2022, with rents rising by 18% during the same period. This escalating crisis demands immediate action.
Water security is no longer a distant concern—it’s a critical issue across Europe. Pollution and overconsumption are threatening our water resources, and over three-quarters of Europeans demand stronger action from the EU. National efforts are falling short, and existing policies lack the depth and coordination needed to tackle these growing challenges.
The EU’s 12 Domestic Advisory Groups are civil society bodies that monitor the implementation of trade agreements. They fulfill a long-standing demand from civil society to oversee the economic, social and environmental impacts of EU free trade agreements.
Since the Maastricht Treaty of 1992, the European Union’s economic governance framework has played a key role in promoting economic stability, growth, and employment across Europe. As this framework has evolved over time, it has become increasingly intricate, with some of its instruments failing to adapt to current situations.
Energy poverty occurs when households cannot afford the energy necessary for their health, well-being and quality of life. Eurostat figures show that 10.6% of Europeans, or over 48 million people, could not keep their homes adequately warm in 2023. This is a sharp increase from the previous years when these figures stood at 9.3% and 6.9% in 2022 and 2021 respectively.
The concept of a just transition, ensuring no one is left behind in the shift to low-carbon and sustainable economies, is now central to policymaking. Fairly distributing the costs and benefits of this transition is especially critical in the post-pandemic recovery, where inequalities and economic risks have deepened.
Rare diseases impact 8% of the EU population, or 36 million Europeans. With 7 000 rare diseases, most of which are chronic, disabling or life-threatening, the health and quality of life for those affected are severely compromised. Worse yet, up to 95% of these diseases lack specific treatments, and the available therapies come at exorbitant costs.
The significant decline in the habit of repairing, with only 35% of consumers choosing to repair their products, has led to substantial consequences for the environment, resulting in 7 million tons of electric and electronic waste and a marked decrease in repair-related employment in the EU.
Over half of European adults are overweight or obese, leading to severe health issues such as heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. At the same time, our food systems drive environmental damage — from global warming and deforestation to biodiversity loss and pollution. Power imbalances and overproduction in the food supply chain push prices down, squeeze farmers’ incomes and add to the already significant food waste, with EU consumers discarding nearly a quarter of their food purchases.
Young people are the most under-represented age group in the European Parliament, with only 6% of MEPs younger than 35, according to figures from the European Youth Forum. The EESC is determined to change that. Including young perspectives in EU decisions is not just desirable, it is essential for creating policies that truly represent the future of Europe.