Europe has decided to launch the construction of gigafactories to produce batteries at high volumes to reindustrialize our continent and enhance our strategic autonomy. Yet, these projects focus on lithium batteries and to a great extent neglect the emerging technology of sodium batteries.
Sodium is present everywhere in Europe at a low cost, and desalinisation projects linked to an EU Blue Deal would increase this availability. The potential of a sodium battery manufacturing sector is therefore extremely interesting from both a competitive and sustainability point of view.
Ongoing (updated on 18/07/2025) - Bureau decision date: 30/11/2023
The European Commission published a long-awaited European Water Resilience Strategy in June 2025. The strategy aims to restore and protect the water cycle, build a water-smart economy and safeguard access to clean water for all.
Ongoing (updated on 17/07/2025) - Bureau decision date: 23/01/2025
This opinion intends to discuss the relationship between water resilience, digitalisation and the green transition. It aims to propose recommendations to address the different challenges involving water, digitalisation and decarbonisation from an industrial perspective.
Download — EESC section opinion: Water resilience and the twin transition: Industrial approaches addressing the relationship between water, digitalisation and decarbonisation
Clean technologies are projected to continue expanding in turnover, investments and jobs. Thanks to ambitious climate targets, the EU is a global leader in high-value inventions and was an early mover in developing a cleantech production base. However, it has lost technological leadership in several sectors and its manufacturing base is eroding.
Download — EESC section opinion: Building blocks for strengthening Europe’s manufacturing base in cleantech
Download — EESC section opinion: Boosting sustainable growth and quality jobs in Euromed: promoting entrepreneurship and tapping the potential of women and young people
Dominika BIEGON (Workers - GR II/Germany), Konstantinos DIAMANTOUROS (Employers - GR I/Greece), Luca JAHIER (Civil Society Organisations - GR III/Italy)
Plenary session number
601
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Ongoing (updated on 08/07/2025) - Bureau decision date: 27/02/2025
The European Commission has published a proposal for a review of the securitisation regulation, that includes changes in capital requirements, reporting requirements, due diligence and supervision. This proposal is meant at reviving the securitisation market, which had experienced an underperformance since the Great Financial Crisis.
Ongoing (updated on 02/07/2025) - Bureau decision date: 25/02/2025
The European Economic and Social Committee emphasizes the urgent need for climate action to prevent the worst impacts of climate change from affecting societies and, ultimately, the EU population, and views the European Climate Law as a key instrument in achieving this goal. CO2 levels emitted into the atmosphere have continued to rise globally, with a new peak being reached in 2023. The EESC is convinced that the greatest support for climate policy will be established if the overall aim is to achieve the highest greenhouse gas emissions reduction at the lowest socio-economic costs.
Ongoing (updated on 01/07/2025) - Bureau decision date: 23/01/2025
