Europees Economisch en Sociaal Comité bereidt stellingname conferentie duurzame ontwikkeling voor (en)

Transition towards a more sustainable, greener economy needs both bold political decisions and a courageous, vibrant civil society promoting a radical rethink of our past actions and inspiring consumers to change their behaviour. The EESC, the EU consultative body representing organised civil society in the inter-institutional decision-making process, is now preparing its contribution to the EU stance on the Rio+20 conference. It is pursuing, in parallel, broader civil society dialogue with networks from the EU and beyond on the possible outcomes of this conference and potential repercussions. This is the response of the EESC President, Staffan Nilsson, to the European Commission's communication on policy orientations for the Rio+20 Conference.

The EESC is pleased to see that the Commission's communication was presented jointly by Commissioners Potocnik and Piebalgs to highlight the link between environment and development. It welcomes the European Commission's decision to take into account social and human welfare aspects of the transition towards a greener economy, which the EESC has been calling for continuously in many of its opinions.

Civil society can maximise its influence if all players cooperate closely in the preparations for this event and join forces to put forward and defend a common position. This is why the EESC has opted for a two-pronged approach. Besides preparing a number of opinions on the Earth Summit, the Committee is pursuing, in parallel, broader civil society dialogue with players from the EU and further afield on the possible outcomes of this conference and potential repercussions.

The EESC is now working on a string of opinions which will feed into the EU position for the Earth Summit next year. Staffan Nilsson is adamant that the change that the Rio +20 conference will be endeavouring to bring about cannot be achieved or sustained without the effective involvement of civil society at all levels.