ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
3.7.1.

The lessons drew from the initiative: — Many companies have already achieved positive results in transparency. CSR is now part of companies’ business strategies. — Access to information is important for a range of stakeholders, but they require different information for different purposes. The conditions and needs in different sectors vary. — Opinions vary, in particular, when it comes to key performance indicators (KPIs). Most other interests in Member States prefer a clear core of indicators, including labour and environmental issues. The view of businesses is that flexibility is needed and one model for all is not the right solution. — The key question for SMEs is the capacity to provide information. Where there is a wide spectrum of stakeholders, each one requiring different information and with different expectations, the administrative burden for enterprises can be high. — The transparency process should focus both on results achieved as well as the process of reporting and disclosure of information. CSR should be incorporated into business strategies and integrated reporting is one way to do it. — Transparency and the practice of publishing CSR reports is an extra asset for companies and their employees, for the beneficiaries of their products and services — who are the consumers and citizens — and for investors.
2.1.

As part of the regularly recurring European Semester process, the European Commission published documents in November 2016 for the Council Recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area, as well as a Communication (‘Towards a positive fiscal stance for the euro area’). The EESC drew up opinion ECO/423 on these documents, which was adopted at its February 2017 plenary session. Since then, the development of EU economic policy as well as activities by some Member States have meant that the issue has evolved considerably. This additional opinion focuses on reflecting the most important of these developments: — Council Recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area (March 2017), — Spring economic forecast (May 2017), — Communication on country-specific recommendations 2017 (May 2017). In parallel, a White Paper on the Future of Europe and a Reflection Paper on the Deepening of the Economic and Monetary Union and on the future of EU funding were published during the period in question, which were further developed by the president of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, in his speech on the State of the Union in September 2017. Moreover, a visible development in terms of how the euro area functioned with regard to its fiscal aspect could be observed. The present opinion thus takes account of economic development in 2018 and reflects the EESC’s proposals for the Recommendations on the economic policy of the euro area for 2018.
provide the EESC’s views and proposals on how these linkages should be considered in EU policies and policy-making, in order to properly seize the opportunities and manage the risks.

The role of transport as an enabler for achieving the SDGs is analysed in Chapters 3 and 4. Chapter 5 considers how SDGs benefit transport by enhancing its foundations. Chapters 6 and 7 analyse what kind of challenges and expectations SDGs set for transport. Based on this analysis, Chapter 8 summarises the findings as implications and recommendations for policy-making.
1.8.

Explore biomass usage. A more efficient use of the existing biomass supply must be a priority to meet the growing demand for feedstock. Then, the quality and quantity of productive soils must also be improved for agriculture and the use of abandoned, marginal or underutilised land incentivised. Feedstock producers, mainly farmers and forest owners, play a vital role in developing the bioeconomy. Awareness raising of potential opportunities (using different crops) and the development of infrastructure for collection, storage and transportation of biomass is required. Making sustainability reporting schemes less complex and enhancing versatile biomass production and processing capacity can also play a key role. Wastes and residues as alternative biomass sources and the sustainable management of European forests offer opportunities for the bioeconomy and the bioenergy. A valuation of sustainable waste flows is needed as well as further investments in wood and residues mobilisation. In addition, technologies need to be developed to deal with the inherent variability of such products. In some cases, national policies may need to adapt to accommodate usage of wastes in bio-based products.
5.3.2.

Due to its heterogeneous nature, the EU agricultural sector reacted differently to the 2008 prices shock: many small and medium farmers were forced to rely only on CAP direct payments to keep their activities alive but this was not enough to guarantee their farm’s economic sustainability. Looking at EU exports, the main EU trading partner in agricultural products is the USA (16 % of total agricultural exports, net worth EUR 33,3 billion in 2017). With such a concentration of exports in one single market, the EU agricultural sector is exposed to political decisions of third parties that could lead to severe fluctuation in prices (i.e. implementation of export bans or high customs duties). The EU single market is the most open and accessible market in the world, leaving EU farmers facing the challenge of competing with imported agricultural commodities that respect different standards of production. However, traceability of food products coming from third countries is still perfectible and could lead to several controversies on food quality and food labelling related to the imported products (i.e. food products developed through new breeding techniques, application of PPPs, respect of animal welfare standards, etc.). These imports are very competitive in the EU market due to their different standard of production, creating tensions for the EU farmers that already respect the highest production standards in the world.
4.4.

The EESC shares the view that the EU needs to change into a more decisive approach to ensure real reciprocity in practice and tackle protectionism in access to procurement markets in third countries. The Chinese public procurement market and protection of intellectual property rights are notable for their divergences from international standards and, despite joining the WTO, China is still a largely protected marketplace. Furthermore, China has not yet joined the WTO Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), despite its promise when been accepted in the WTO. The debate on China has become more sensitive in the EU. Ambitious programmes such as the Belt and Road Initiative, Made in China 2025 and the ‘16+1 Guidelines (2017 Budapest, 2018 Sofia, 2019 Dubrovnik)’ (6) have caught the attention of a number of private and public actors including the EU institutions. The 5G issue has brought digital security into the picture, providing fertile ground for advancing towards EU digital independence. Boosting EU programmes for investment in research and innovation appears to be the most rational and rewarding approach in this regard.
4.14.

An EU strategy should include initiatives to ensure transparent and reliable information flows to support sustainable consumption, making use of the opportunities created by new and emerging digital solutions. This could also support companies who are willing to innovate but currently lack metrics and data to allow for a reliable assessment of the ecological and social impacts of everyday consumption. SMEs, start-ups and cooperatives, which are essential innovators and pilot platforms, are facing this challenge in particular. Notably, the EU also has an important role in the harmonisation and verification of green claims made on the internal market. Currently, the high volume of such claims, with various degrees of evidence to support them, is creating confusion and possibly eroding consumer confidence in the legitimacy of any of these claims. The EESC therefore welcomes the Commission's ambition, under the implementation of the new CEAP, to make a legislative proposal aiming to ensure that companies substantiate their environmental claims.
2.4

The housing markets of a large number of major European cities and peri-urban areas in the EU are marked by strong growth in demand as people move in search of work, combined with a supply of housing that is constrained by land scarcity, increasing construction and densification costs, and speculative investor practices. Land is a scarce resource, the use of which is associated with increasing competition between various uses: housing, public infrastructure, agriculture, forestry, commercial or industrial use, transport, biodiversity, irrigation land, leisure, etc., to the extent that the price of land is often the most unaffordable aspect of housing. Rising housing costs in metropolitan and peri-urban areas have led to a rise in housing exclusion, homelessness, and poor-quality housing that is now affecting young people, single-parent and large families, workers and the middle classes more broadly, who are being driven out of major European cities by excessive housing costs and forced to relocate to rural areas. This in turn is leading to an increase, to varying degrees, in the cost of housing in rural areas, with consequences such as social segregation, the emergence of exclusively residential areas (dormitory towns), increased mobility, changes in the landscape, land take, and an increase in infrastructure and costs for the community.
3.22.

The need to improve job opportunities : i) the COVID-19 pandemic has speeded up digitalisation and greening processes that require efforts to sustain them over time; ii) new employment opportunities must be created and maintained in rural areas, including those related to the provision of rural services, home working, new technologies or renewable energies; iii) strengthening the multifunctional aspects of agriculture, promoting non-agricultural activities and establishing businesses in the clean energy services and industries sector in rural areas can create many job opportunities; iv) promoting entrepreneurship, ensuring fair competition rules for SMEs and paying attention to the needs of younger generations (e.g. remote working); v) keeping jobs and shops close to people. The rural-urban vision offers opportunities to develop a circular economy; vi) promoting decent work and improving working conditions in rural areas, while ensuring that everyone involved has a say in this improvement process; vii) linking consumer demand with regional and rural markets through the marketing of local products and quality labels; viii) the creation of cultural opportunities in rural areas should be widely promoted, including the promotion of cultural events and the protection of rural historical and religious buildings (churches, castles, etc.); ix) digitalisation processes open up new opportunities that could create expectations and appeal for citizens — especially young people — and bring about a change in depopulation trends and the quality of life in rural areas. To this end, the rural environment must have adequate infrastructure to ensure connectivity. Connectivity strategies and digital platforms offer solutions here while a rural digital act would facilitate the development of digital technologies in agriculture and rural areas; x) sustainable agriculture and aquaculture (17) in rural and peri-urban areas should be supported, along with eco-tourism, leisure and educational activities on sustainability, and these activities should be compatible with the protection of biodiversity in order to ensure people's quality of life; xi) Quality and accessible rural education, starting from children's early years, can help improve outcomes in education, while access to public services, such as childcare and schools, is a location-based factor shaping the attractiveness of rural areas, including for highly skilled workers.
‘in order to increase productivity and stay ahead of competition, the sector needs workers who are trained in the latest skills and technologies’

10

Compared to other parts of the world, the cost of labour in the EU is somewhat higher, but productivity and innovation are also ahead of other regions. The EESC has already mentioned that
3.2

To feed a growing world population, with minimal environmental impact and in a way that promotes carbon neutrality, digital and technological infrastructure is needed in rural areas to facilitate the efficient and precise use of resources in farming. Despite the fact that 30 % of Europe’s population lives in rural areas, however, and that these areas account for 80 % of the 27 Member States’ territory, digitalisation faces greater difficulties in rural areas which, if not addressed, will undermine Europe’s digital ambitions. The European legislative framework for the Digital Rural Act is designed to address these difficulties by promoting: — guaranteed equal broadband network coverage for all of Europe’s regions: currently coverage is good in large urban centres and poor in rural areas; to meet digitalisation targets, this problem must be tackled urgently so as not to open up an even wider gulf between regions; — infrastructure: ensuring private investment in developing last-mile infrastructure, taking into account non-financial benefits such as socio-economic externalities; — capacity building: improving the digital literacy of people living in rural areas; — suitability: promoting the development of applications that meet the needs of the agricultural and rural community, which make little use of digital services designed for the urban environment.
30. 9. 74 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 116/51 
Opinion  on the 'Proposed  Council  Regulation  (EEC)  laying  down  special  measures  for 
soya  beans' 
The text  referred  to the Committee  has  been  published  in the Official  Journal  of the 
European  Communities  No  C 72 of 27 June  1974,  pages  24 and  25. 
A. LEGAL  BASIS  FOR  THE  OPINION 
On 14 May  1974,  the Council  referred  the abovementioned  proposal  to the Economic 
and Social  Committee  in accordance  with  Articles  43 and  198  of the Treaty  establishing 
the European  Economic  Community. 
B. OPINION  OF  THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE 
The Economic  and  Social  Committee  prepared  its Opinion  on the above  matter  at its 
121st  plenary  session,  held  in Brussels  on 26 and  27 June  1974. 
The full  text  of the Opinion  is as follows: 
THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE: 
Having  regard  to the  request,  dated  15 May  1974, 
from  the Council  of the European  Communities  for 
an opinion  on the  'Proposed  Council  Regulation 
(EEC)  laying  down  special  measures  for soya  beans'; 
Having  regard  to Articles  43 and  198  of the Treaty 
establishing  the European  Economic  Community; 
Having  regard  to the  various  Opinions  which  the 
Economic  and  Social  Committee  has delivered  on oils 
and fats  and on the Community's  protein  supplies; 
Having  regard  to the Decision  taken  by its Bureau  on 
17 May  1974  in accordance  with  Articles  46 and  47 
of the  Rules  of Procedure  (urgency  procedure), 
instructing  the Section  for Agriculture  to prepare  the 
Committee's  work  on the matter; 
Having  regard  to the  oral  report  made  by  the 
rapporteur,  Mr Emo; 
Having  regard  to the  Opinion  delivered  by the 
Section  for Agriculture  at its meeting  on 6 June  1974; 
Done  at Brussels,  27 June  1974. Having  regard  to the discussions  at its 121st  plenary 
session  on 26 and  27 June  1974,  sitting  of 27 June 
1974,  ' 
HAS  ADOPTED  THE  FOLLOWING  OPINION 
unanimously: 
1. The  Economic  and  Social  Committee  has 
repeatedly  called  the  attention  of the  Community 
authorities  to the  problem  of Community  protein 
supplies.  It follows  that  the Committee  approves  the 
Commission  proposal,  which  is  intended  to 
encourage  soya-bean  growing  within  the Community. 
2. The  Committee  asks  whether  the proposal  will 
provide  sufficient  incentive  to Community  farmers.  It 
feels  that  the  aims  could  be achieved  more  swiftly 
and surely  if the Commission  also  made  provision  for 
informing  farmers  and  having  more  agricultural 
research  carried  out  into  high-protein  crops  so as to 
obtain  strains  and  cultivation  methods  which  are 
completely  compatible  with  the European  climate. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic  and  Social  Committee 
Alfons  LAPPAS
No C 255/8 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 7.11.75 
Opinion  on the 
— proposal  for  a Council  Directive  amending  Directives  No  64/432/EEC,  No 
64/433/EEC,  No 71/118/EEC,  No 72/461/EEC  and  No 72/462/EEC  as regards  the 
procedures  of the Standing  Veterinary  Committee 
— proposal  for a Council  Decision  amending  Decision  No 73/88/EEC  as regards  the 
procedures  of the Standing  Veterinary  Committee 
The text  referred  to the  Committee  was  published  in the  Official  Journal  of the 
European  Communities  No  C 97 of 30 April  1975,  page  2. 
A. LEGAL  BASIS  FOR  THE  OPINION 
On 7 March  1975,  the  Council  referred  the  abovementioned  proposals  to the 
Economic  and  Social  Committee  under  Articles  47 and  198  of the Treaty  establishing 
the European  Economic  Community. 
B. OPINION  OF THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE 
The Economic  and Social  Committee  drew  up its Opinion  at its 129th  plenary  session, 
held in Brussels  on 23 and 24 April  1975. 
The Opinion  is published  below: 
THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE, 
Having  regard  to the referral  on 17 March  1975  by 
the Council  of the European  Communities; 
Having  regard  to the  Treaty  establishing  the 
European  Economic  Community,  and  in particular 
Articles  47 and 198 thereof; 
Having  regard  to the decision  taken  by its Bureau  on 
18 March  1975,  instructing  the  Section  for 
Agriculture  to prepare  the Committee's  work  on the 
matter; 
Having  regard  to its previous  work  in this  field  and 
in particular  its Opinions  of 26 January  1967  and 19 
December  1974; 
Having  regard  to the  oral  report  made  by the 
Rapporteur,  Mr Wick; 
Having  regard  to the Opinion  adopted  by the Section 
for Agriculture  at its meeting  on 23 April  1975; 
Having  regard  to the discussions  at its meeting  on 24 
April  1975  (129th  plenary  session  of 23 and  24 April 
1975), 
Done  at Brussels,  24 April  1975. HAS  ADOPTED  THE  FOLLOWING  OPINION 
by a majority,  there  being  3 votes  against  and  4 
abstentions: 
The Economic  and  Social  Committee  has  the 
following  comments  to make  on the two  proposals: 
1. It  approves  without  reservation  the amendments 
proposed  by the Commission. 
It welcomes,  in particular,  the fact  that,  following  the 
requests  which  it has made  on several  occasions,  and 
most  recently  in its Opinion  of 19 December  1974  (1), 
the Commission  has  taken  heed  of the  experience 
which  has  been  acquired  and  is now  presenting 
proposals  which  will  make  permanent  the  present 
provisional  procedures  of the Veterinary  Committee. 
2. The  Committee  stresses  once  more  the need  to 
provide  for  consultation  of itself  and  of the 
socio-economic  interest  groups  directly  involved  with 
respect  to decisions  to be taken  in the  veterinary 
sector. 
(*) OJ No C 47, 27. 2. 1975. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic  and  Social  Committee 
Henri  CANONGE
13. 11. 78 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities No C 269/31 
Opinion  on the Commission  communication  to the Council  on marine  pollution  arising  from 
the carriage  of oil (Amoco-Cadiz) 
The text  referred  to the Committee  has been  published  in Official  Journal  of the European 
Communities  No  C 146  of 21 June  1978,  page  5. 
A. LEGAL  BASIS  FOR  THE  OPINION 
On 2 May  1978,  the Council  referred  the abovementioned  proposal  to the Economic  and Social 
Committee  in accordance  with  Article  198  of the Treaty  establishing  the European  Economic 
Community. 
B. OPINION  OF THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE 
The Economic  and  Social  Committee  prepared  its opinion  on the above  matter  at its 159th 
plenary  session,  held  in Brussels  on 31 May  and  1 June  1978. 
The full  text  of the opinion  is as follows: 
THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE, 
Having  regard  to the Treaty  establishing  the European 
Economic  Community,  and  in particular  the  second 
sentence  of Article  198  (1), 
Having  regard  to the request  made  by the Council  of the 
European  Communities  on 3 May  1978  for an opinion, 
Having  regard  to its decision  on 30 May  1978  to appoint  a 
rapporteur-general  for this  subject,  in accordance  with 
Article  18 of the Rules  of Procedure,  because  of the urgent 
nature  of the matter, 
Having  regard  to Article  46 of the Rules  of Procedure, 
Having  regard  to the  oral  report  submitted  by the 
rapporteur-general,  Mr Hoffmann, 
Having  regard  to the discussions  at its 159th  plenary 
session  of 31 May  and  1 June  1978  (meeting  of 31 May 
1978), Whereas  it has in the past  repeatedly  expressed  its concern 
about  the increase  in marine  pollution  through  oil; 
Whereas  at present  there  are  no Community  and/or 
international  instruments  to  prevent  ecological 
catastrophes  caused  by oil tankers, 
HAS  ADOPTED  THE  FOLLOWING  OPINION 
by a unanimous  vote: 
1. The  Committee  has  taken  note  of the  com-
munication  submitted  by the Commission  to the Council. 
The Committee  calls  upon  the Community  authorities  to 
take effective  measures  in this  field  as soon  as possible. 
2. The  Committee  reserves  the right  to take  a stand  on 
the Commission's  proposals  at a later  date. 
Done  at Brussels,  31 May  1978. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic  and  Social  Committee 
Basil  de FERRANTI