The two European organisations, EEB and ETUC outlined a number of urgent actions needed to become an integral part of the coordinated Employment Policies the European Union has agreed to undertake since the Amsterdam Treaty. 3. shifting subsidies from environmentally damaging areas to positive areas. 4. reform of the Structural Funds policies to promote sustainable development and employment creation. 5. promote local initiatives and encourage green procurement, including reducing transport needs. Their conclusion is that a clear double dividend exists.
Environmental policies can create and protect jobs.
Moreover, both organisations share the objective of sustainable development, where environmental and social concerns, including rewarding and safe jobs, come together. At a conference held in Cardiff, the participants in this project concluded that while local initiatives are crucial in realising the mutual benefits, the national governments and the European Union need to shift policies in several areas to promote rather than complicate sustainable development policies. Special attention was paid to sectoral policies on transport,energy and agriculture. Furthermore to general issues including tax policies, subsidies and procurement rules. EEB and ETUC decided to continue and intensify their cooperation, on the national as well as the European levels.