European climate policy also includes social security

In a special session of the European Parliament on 11 December 2019, the new President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented the much-heralded plan for the EU to become climate neutral by 2050. The full communication on the ‘European Green Deal’ can be read here. It also includes topics that will affect social security in the future.

Green prospects

The European Green Deal is a growth strategy for achieving a fair society that focuses on protecting the health and well-being of citizens from environmental risks and impacts.

Sustainability and the well-being of citizens must also be at the heart of economic policy. Therefore, the European Green Deal calls for health to be given a higher priority in all policy areas.

In line with the European Pillar of Social Rights

The measures mentioned will be guided by the European Pillar of Social Rights. The plan is to ensure that minimum living standards are guaranteed in order to reduce the risk of energy poverty. In addition, a sustainable circular economy will boost new activities and help create new jobs.

Healthy food and new opportunities on the labour market

Developing a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system is also addressed, as is better protection of the most vulnerable citizens from environmental impacts.

Further vocational training through retraining programmes or new employment opportunities could stimulate new opportunities for the world of work.

Innovative digital technologies will thus become a crucial prerequisite for achieving European sustainability goals for achieving a new world of living and working.

The price of transport services should reflect the impact of transport on the environment and people’s health in order to achieve a pollution-free environment.

A mandate to the Member States

The Communication can be viewed as an overarching strategic approach of the European Commission for the new legislative period, which also reflects the composition of the new Commission in terms of content and personnel. The sustainability vision and the policy approach of the new Commission will be included in future economic, social and health policy strategies, not only in the present European Green Deal.