Mobility is a prerequisite for prosperity, quality of life and social participation. At the same time, motor vehicles continue to be an essential component of everyday and economic mobility. CO₂-savings in the transport sector are crucial for achieving the goals of the "Fit for 55" package.

The Austrian Chamber of Labour demands that there must be professional and financial prospects for the ones that are affected by this structural change. A fair distribution of costs and profits is necessary.

AK supports the goal of EU-wide decarbonisation by 2050. However, this process must be designed to be fair and in the interest of workers (“just transition”). Thus, AK welcomes the establishment of a Social Climate Fund. There is, however, no support for the proposal for heating fuels and motor fuels for households to be included in an EU-wide cap-and-trade system in the form of a separate emissions trading scheme. This is due to the risk of unpredictable price peaks, which can affect low-income households in particular.

Energy is not a resource like any other. More than ever, it is the central resource for participating in modern life. However, people who are affected by energy poverty can only use basic energy services such as electricity, heat or hot water to a limited extent or not at all. This already massively affects them in their current everyday life, but in view of the upcoming energy transition and climate change, this will become an even greater challenge for these households.

On 23 September 2021, Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, presented a proposal for the harmonisation of chargers for electronic devices. This proposal shall aid consumers to limit costs and lessen inconveniences. Apart from that, less electronic waste shall help to reduce the environmental impact.

The targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 55 % below 1990 levels by 2030 and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 have been enshrined in the European Climate Law. The Commission has now presented its “Fit for 55” package, outlining which concrete measures will be taken to accomplish these targets. Comprising of no fewer than eight Regulations, five Directives, two Communications and two Decisions, this package covers important sectors, which are needed to achieve climate neutrality.

There is no alternative to the fight against climate change. Global warming and the destruction of the environment endanger our natural livelihoods at an unparalleled speed. For Europe to achieve the trend reversal, one also needs a reform of the European state aid policy for renewable energies and climate protection measures. The European Commission has now launched a Consultation on exactly these aid guidelines.

By now, the majority of Member States have submitted their national plans, disclosing their intentions as to how they want to invest the monies from the EU’s Recovery Fund. Itt is not only Austria having a lot of catching up to do when it comes to the recovery’s social dimension. Hence, AK EUROPA, together with 20 other organisations is calling upon EU Finance Ministers to adopt a socially just and environmentally sustainable course out of the crisis. Everybody will be able to sign the petition until 14 June 2021.

The Austrian Chamber of Labour in principle welcomes the reduction goals set out in the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, which include a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2050.

On 9 December 2020, the European Commission presented its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, which specifies the contribution the transport sector should make to achieving the Green Deal.

On 5th May 2021, the Commission presented its updated Industrial Strategy. The strategy not only affirms the current priorities, which were stipulated the year before, but also specifies new proposals to support SMEs. Together with the Industrial Strategy, the Commission has presented a proposal for a regulation on subsidies for third-countries, which distort the Internal Market.