6.4.2022
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 152/7
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Beyond GDP measures for a successful recovery and a sustainable and resilient EU economy’ (own-initiative opinion) (2022/C 152/02)
Rapporteur: Petru Sorin DANDEA
Plenary Assembly decision
25/3/2021
Legal basis
Rule 32(2) of the Rules of Procedure Own-initiative opinion
Section responsible
Economic and Monetary Union and Economic and Social Cohesion
Adopted in section
23/11/2021
Adopted at plenary
8/12/2021
Plenary session No
565
Outcome of vote (for/against/abstentions)
209/2/7
1.
Conclusions and recommendations 1.1.
The EESC believes that an economic transition from a model driven by growth to one predicated on sustainability is inevitable.
Given the sheer complexity of and the huge challenges posed by this transition, the proposals for new indicators set out in this opinion are only one example of approaches that could be taken when it comes to tools for measuring the social, economic and environmental situation.
1.2.
The EESC proposes that a series of indicators be developed, ensuring that policy-makers can make informed decisions and foster policies to grow the circular economy.
For instance, information on the amount of materials derived from natural resources used in some items designed to be used over a long period of time correlated with data on the average period of use and the potential rate of recovery of these materials would inform decision-makers about the investments needed in the recycling sector.
1.3.
The Committee considers that a concise ‘Beyond GDP’ scoreboard should be designed.
This could then be incorporated into the European Green Deal scoreboard.
The ‘EU Doughnut by 2030’ concept developed by the German institute ZOE could be used to design this scoreboard.
The scoreboard could be incorporated into the European governance process for the purposes of assessing progress and pinpointing the measures needed to achieve the European Semester targets.
The Committee believes that the European governance process should take a new approach geared towards the well-being of citizens.
1.4.
The EESC considers that the Member States should give priority to using some of the indicators proposed by the United Nations, depending on their country’s circumstances, and urges them to act on the proposals set out in the OECD’s reports on improving the measurement of well-being and prosperity.
1.5.
The EESC endorses the views of the European social partners set out at the Porto Summit, whereby the 14 indicators proposed can comprise a scoreboard complementing GDP and can be used to frame policies supporting a sustainable growth model.
1.6.
Investments in social cohesion, sustainable development, human and social capital and quality of life will be paramount for creating opportunities for modern businesses and for boosting employment, wealth and sustainable growth in the future.
The EESC thus considers that indicators that look beyond GDP must be able to do more than merely monitor and measure: they must inform policy development, improve communication and promote target setting.